After seeing the moon last night im interested in learning more about the night sky. are there any usefull beginners guides online? and also what would be a good cheap telescope to begin with? thanks.
2007-03-03 23:52:54 · 7 answers · asked by Chief1234 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Lots of stuff online. The best book, in my opinion is one called Turn Left at Orion. For a rank beginner and even for myself (been amateur astronomer for 20 years), it's just a wonderful easy guide.
On the issue of telescope. you really need to be careful. I cannot emphasize this enough: DO NOT buy a telescope from a department store. 99% of them are complete rubbish and will instantly kill your admirable enthusiasm.
DO buy a telescope from a reputable dealer. I would recommend www.oriontelescopes.com
they have a full range, and their inexpensive scopes are still quite good.
Now, which scope to buy? Obviously price matters to you. fair enough. But if you're living in light polluted urban skies (which, unfortunately many of us are), I would recommend a small refractor. That is a good scope to see the moon, Venus, mars, Jupiter and Saturn (and yes, you CAN see the rings in a small scope). That's about all you're going to see in light polluted conditions anyway. If you have access to darker skies and want to also see nebula, galaxies, star clusters, etc. I'd recommend something like a 6" Dobsonian reflector. You get a lot of bang for the buck with reflectors in general, and Dobsonians in particular (I have built two of them myself - which is another option if you're even a little handy).
Next, make sure you get high-quality eyepieces - a range, the higher mm number = lower power. Buy plossls. Don't equate lower power with less good, it doesn't work that way, but explaining that is too much to go into here. Get at least something like a 25mm and maybe an 8mm. The 8mm will allow you (if sky conditions are decent) to see a lot of detail on the moon (which is, despite all I've seen, still one of my favorite targets).
good luck. it's a wonderful hobby!
2007-03-04 01:13:40 · answer #1 · answered by Brendan G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to think that Patrick Moore was bonkers recommending binoculars before a telescope. He is bonkers but he has a point.
I have a 6" Newtonian and despite great skies up here on the Isle of Lewis, I seldom get it out.
The problem is, the bigger your optical aid, less you use it because the less convenient it is.
So the eye is best but binoculars are great, especially if you've gor something to steady them against.
A telescope will only really be needed to take photos of deep sky objects or to take a look at planets.
To see planets in any detail you'll need to be spending £200-£500 depending on how gullible you are.
2007-03-04 20:22:54 · answer #2 · answered by BIMS Lewis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't buy a cheap telescope to begin with. Get some decent binoculars like the Meade9x63 or or even 7x50.Download a program like Celestia,which will show you where everything is,or better still buy 'Starry Night 4' from Warehouse Express.They've got it in the 'special offers' list. It's a dream of a program,and you'll never outgrow it.
2007-03-04 12:45:42 · answer #3 · answered by jonal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just to agree with Brendan dont be seduced by magnification and it it is advertised as having a huge area magnification then you can safely assume that it is rubbish.
Remember that more magnification = dimmer with more shake. If you get a telescope then go for something with tracking so you can attach a camera.
Binoculars are worth playing with as a quick simple and cheap starter. You can see the moons of jupiter, just about make out the rings of saturn, loads of stars in the Pliades and the Andromeda galaxy.
2007-03-04 09:36:40 · answer #4 · answered by m.paley 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here are two of the classic places to get current info about fun things to look at in the sky:
Stardate by the MacDonald Observatory in TX - often heard on NPR:
http://stardate.org/
And good old Jack Horkheimer - the star hustler on PBS:
http://www.jackstargazer.com/
Take your time looking for telescopes - don't rush the process and have fun with the naked eye binocular stuff in the mean time.
If you are just getting started you can entertain yourself for a while getting to know the sky without one.
I agree with don't go to a department store.
I have to say I don't encourage getting one with tracking. I think it is completely unnecessary for a beginner and drives up the price.
Good Luck!
2007-03-04 11:57:13 · answer #5 · answered by blahblah 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A set of good forums are
http://forum.skyatnightmagazine.com/
2007-03-05 15:47:54 · answer #6 · answered by tom 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i saw that too was great, not sure about question though.
2007-03-04 08:07:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋