What's the best telescope to buy for astronomical purposes - in terms of value and money-no-object ?

Question

Any sources and materials for the novice star gazer ?

Answer 1

If money were no object you could theortically have a giant 100" telescope, but let's say you had to keep it below $2 million.

Some of the most expensive commercially available telescopes on the market are made by Takahashi: http://www.takahashiamerica.com

They sell a 16" Classical Cassegrain called the Takahashi C-400 for $59,999 and that does not include the mount. They suggest that for maximum stability, the telescope be mounted on one of their EM-3500 mounts, which sell for about $99,000.

For refractor affectionados, they offer the Takahashi FCT-250, which is a 9.8" apochromatic refractor (this is a massive size for a refractor!). It sells for $249,999 and does not include the mount.

If you want something in the range of "giant telescopes", you can buy a 40" Dobsonian from a company called JMI (Jim's Mobile) for $159,000.00. This telescope is a Dobsonian so you don't have to buy a seperate mounting system.

If you'd like a smaller, cheaper, more compact giant telescope that's ideal for astrophotography you may be interested in the Meade RCX400 20" with the Max Mount EQ Pier, which sells for about $30,000

If you buy a Takahashi you should expect nothing of less than perfect quality. They also offer telescopes starting at less than $10,000 which are also of exquisit quality.

There are companies that make good enough quality large aperture telescopes for those of us who don't have hundreds of thousands of dollars though, and they include the mounts.

Meade has a line of telescopes similar to their RCX400 line called the LX200R line. This line includes the LX200R 14" Advanced Ritchey Chretien with UHTC and comes standard on a computerized fork mount for about $6,500. Well within the reach of the average person....who really really wants a telescope like that. They also have a cheaper 12" version and their original LX200's which are Schmidt Cassegrains can be had for between $1000 used and $4000 new also depending on what size you buy.

Celestron also offers upper end telescopes, such as their CGE line. Thier CGE 1100, an 11" Schmidt Cassegrain which comes standard on a computerized german equatorial mount, sells for about $4,200.

There are also companies like Astro-Physics and Parks which make upper end telescopes. The best telescope for the price really depends on what you as an individual want out of the telescope. Some telescopes offer more aperture for their price, some offer more bells and whistles, some offer more refinement and optical quality.

The best value in terms of shear aperture is always a Dobsonian though.

Answer 2

I use a 10" Schmidt-Cassegrain. These telescopes are like buckets that soak up light. Can be used for astrophotography and dont take up too much space.

The next up is the Refractor type 3-5", these are the long telescopes that everyone is familiar with. They give the best detail but the images arent as bright as the bucket type telescopes.

In terms of money-no-object, you would go with what I suggested above--ONLY BIGGER. The largest consumer type telescopes of these types can go for tens of thousands of dollars.

If you're a beginner, go to your local college and use their telescope so you know what you're getting yourself into. Binoculars are also a good way to start off. Put it on a tripod or lay down on the ground comfortably to minimize shake and just stare at stars and the moon.

Answer 3

I bet I am amazed by means of your assertion that that is the one telescope that's to be had to you, considering you do correctly have web entry. I could propose persistence. Astronomically, you'll see a lot more with a good binocular than with this scope, which slightly qualifies as a toy. Take it slow. Buy a duplicate of the e-book "Nightwatch" by means of Terence Dickinson. Take a few binoculars external at night time and be taught the sky. Attend a couple of nearby astronomy membership superstar events. Try out their scopes and notice what you'll count on on the eyepiece and on the coins check in. I could no longer propose that you simply purchase this scope. You will likely be capable to look little or no with it. I could be capable to look little or no with it, and I recognise wherein to try it. It will become within the closet amassing filth, wherein 1000s of an identical scopes are hidden. Hundreds of rookies quit in frustration after purchasing scopes like this. They can not see some thing, so that they suppose that they're doing anything improper or that astronomy is a waste of time. In reality, their truly quandary is that they're very nearly looking to see far-off galaxies with opera glasses. Heck, opera glasses could paintings larger.

Answer 4

Hi. It is better to start small, like with a high quality pair of binoculars, and work your way up. A large Newtonian is probably the best for deep space where every photon counts. A 4" or so refractor is better for planetary detail. A scope with an alpha filter is better for solar work.

Answer 5

There is, or was an excellant article about this on the SKY & TELESCOPE magazine website......... http://skytonight.com/equipment/basics