where can I buy a good telescope? and how much money can a good one cost??

Question

hi, Im 15, I live in miami, florida and I would like to buy a good telescope, not too expensive though; and I would like to know where can I buy one. I don't want to buy one online. I want to see things like planets, comets, stars, and even galaxies (like andromeda). I would also like you to explain me basically what are the things that you have to look for (what are good brands, what are the types of telescope, what is that aperture that everyone talks about, etc.) and give me a basic idea of what i'm looking for. If you can't explain these things to me, at least tell me some websites that have good information. Remember, I'm 15 and this is great hobby but I don't want a $1000 telescope, well, I actually want one but I can't so I want something not cheap because I don't think good telescopes are cheap but something with a good quality and a price that doesnt exceed the $800's .. thank you

Answer 1

You may want to opt for a Dobsonian Reflector. The dobsonian mount is very simple and therefore inexpensive. This lets you get a lot of telescope for the money. I got my 8" dobsonian reflector for less than $350. If I got the same size scope on an equatorial mount, it would have cost $800+. With a dob mount however you don't get all the fancy bells and whistles like tracking Earth's rotation and automatic goto pointing etc, but it's very simple to set up (easy setup = gets used more often) and you get a lot of scope for the money. With this kind of scope you will have to make an effort to learn the sky and learn the skill of star-hopping. It's not tough and I found it enjoyable. It just requires a bit of commitment to the hobby.

Now this is not necessarily the "best" choice for you. Choosing a telescope has a lot to do with what you want to get out of your observing experience, and how much time and effort you want to get out of the hobby. You should definitely take the time to do research in this area before making a purchase. If you're going to lay out that much money to get started on a hobby, you want to make sure you make a good choice.

I recommend joining the forums on http://www.cloudynights.com . There are a lot of really smart people there who love to help newcomers get started in the hobby, and the boards are already filled with a plethora of great information. Good luck!

Answer 2

I hate to be a killjoy, but from my experience Miami is very light polluted. Can you get out of the city - a long way.

For those who are starting out, I always suggest buying binoculars. A really good pair will be much cheaper than $800. Get as big an aperture as you can - that is the big number when you see 10x75 - 10 is the magnification and 75 is the mm size of the lens (about 3 inches).

For amateurs with limited money, binoculars are the best option for comets. I have been into astronomy for 50 years and I do not own a telescope. I have a pair of 15x80 binoculars. These are great for general viewing.

In my experience, when somebody spends $500 on a telescope, they are sadly dispappointed, especialy when they have seen all those fantastic pictures on the net. Mars will be a tiny blob. You will see Jupiter's markings and Saturn's rings. Andromeda galaxy will look like a big misty patch. Most kids are then cheesed with the whole thing.

Ok with binoculars you will not get that magnification, but you get 10 or 20 times as much sky in the field of view, plus amazing viewing with both eyes. You will learn the sky like the back of your hand, and then when you can afford a good telescope, you will be an expert at finding good stuff to look at.

If in the meantime you lose interest (it can be a lonely hobby), you will not have wasted lots of money, and your binoculars will be great for general viewing.

Answer 3

I'm not sure where the nearest astronomical telescope store to you is. They aren't necessarily in every state, so you may have to settle for buying over the internet. There are a number of reliable online vendors, including Orion (http://www.telescope.com/ ), Astronomics (http://www.astronomics.com/ ), and Anacortes (http://www.buytelescopes.com/ ). Orion sells mostly their own brands; the other two handle most common brands.

In your price range, Orion, Meade, and Zhumell have some excellent choices.

The most important specification for a telescope is its aperture - the diameter of the main mirror or lens. A larger aperture means a brighter and sharper view.

Read the faqs below to learn about what your options are and how to choose. The most commonly recommended telescope for a serious beginner is an 8" dobsonian. "Dobsonian" indicates a simple manually operated Newtonian reflector. Because the mechanics are so simple, you'll get the most optics for your money with this type of scope. The 8" dob is big enough that you won't soon outgrow it.

The best telescope education is to find an astronomy club near you and go to some of their star parties. http://www.skytonight.com/ can tell you what clubs are in your area.

Answer 4

Try the sources. You can get very good telescopes for well under $800. You can get even better ones for more of course. And as stated above, Sky and Telescope is a great magazine. I subscribe. They also have a web page at www.skyandtelescope.com.

Answer 5

My suggestion is buy an issue of Sky and Telescope Magazine. There will be lots of telescope advertisements inside. Then just get the best telescope that you can for your $800. It will take some shopping and decision making on your part.

Answer 6

You can call 1-800-252-5417, Starry Night Store for Cat.
Or visit http://www.Telescope.com
http://www.Livescience.com
http://www.Space.com