where can i buy a telescope that can see the Cat's Eye Nebula and planets????? i olny have 800$?

Answer 1

I don't know off hand, but you might look into used or kits. Another good option might be to try renting remote observation time on a scope with CCD.

Here's a couple of links - there are more.

Answer 2

The Cat's Eye Nebula is dim so I recommend a large telescope.

I'd get the largest telescope $800 will buy you. New, this would be the 12" Zhumell Dobsonian.

The only set back to Dobsonians is you can't do astrophotography with them, at least not easily.

Another option is to buy a used 8" with tracking and a CCD camera. This is actually probably the better option because cameras can capture more than the eye can it will be able to capture the finer details of the nebula that the eye can't see (unless you have a huge telescope).

You can try http://www.astromart.com for used telescopes.

Any large telescope should give you good views of planets, though you may want to use an off axis aperture stop if your telescope has a lot of aperture.

Answer 3

From Ed Ting's site:


OK, Ed -- You still haven't answered the question: Which one would you buy, if you could only get one?

This is a tough one to answer, since everyone has their own priorities and preferences. Still, knowing what I know, if I were starting out today, I would probably get a 6" or 8" Dobsonian-mounted reflector. The fact that I am something of a "refractor guy" says a lot about this choice.

A 6" Dobsonian is simple, cheap, and will teach you a lot. The simplicity part is important, since you will spend your time aiming and observing with your telescope, rather than playing around with the sometimes complicated controls on an equatorial mount.

Beginners need early success, and the 6" or 8" aperture is big enough to throw up a bright image of most common celestial objects.

Orion XT8 Dob A great beginner's scope: Orion's XT8, an 8" Dobsonian reflector ($499)


I like all the 6" Dobsonians from Meade, Celestron, Orion, and Discovery. I like the Orion the best, but you can just pick one; they're all good.

If you're feeling ambitious, get an 8" version. The differences between the brands show up mainly in the quality of the accessories. Look for a 6X30 finder (or larger), Plossl instead of Kellner eyepieces, and Pyrex instead of plate glass mirrors. If I were pressed to recommend one telescope for beginners, it would be the Orion Skyquest XT8.

Answer 4

Try these sources.

The cat's eye nebula is not a good beginner's target. Start with the Moon, Saturn, and other planets first. Then try the brighter deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula, the Ring nebula and some bright globular clusters like M13.

Answer 5

EBay. I do suggest talking to an expert first at any store that sells binoculars and telescopes, the most known brand of telescope is Meade.