It will be great if you can also let me know where i can get them from in London.
2007-03-04 13:47:09 · 7 answers · asked by Hello 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
telescope
google it
2007-03-04 13:51:19 · answer #1 · answered by mic m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously, the larger the telescope the greater the image you'll see. But the price goes up for each bit of improvement in "seeing."
Start off with a good beginner's star chart. Learn the various constellations and their locations over the seasons.
Move up to a good pair of binoculars and a tripod to hold them.
Before you buy your first 'scope, remember that you only get that for which you have paid. Cheap gets cheap, but expensive doesn't necessarily mean better. Find an astronomy club in your area and ask if you can attend several of their meetings or if they have open star parties. Ask the members for their recommendations about the best starter 'scope and any upgrades. Don't buy the first one you see. There will also be many accessories you'll need, so consider them as you go along.
For now, get one of the astronomy programs, such as Starry Night (many versions are available) and put it on your computer. Learn to use it and "play" when you have a few spare minutes. See what's in the sky tonight and then go outside to look at it.
Be sure you get yourself a notebook to record the things you see each evening. It will be worth the effort to keep it up to date.
2007-03-04 22:46:27 · answer #2 · answered by NJGuy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not trying to be a killjoy, but planets were always difficult objects to obtain clear detailed views, until the Hubble Space telescope and better still, pictures taken from probe fly-bys.
With telescopes that ordinary folks can afford, you will see very little on Mars. Venus you will be able to watch its phases (like the moon). Jupiter you will see the bands and some of its moons (can be seen with binoculars). Saturn rings, but no great detail. Uranus and Neptune as small blue disks with no detail.
The thing is these days, there are such fantastic pictures from probes and Hubble that a lot of people expect more from their own telescopes. Then they are sadly disappointed.
If you have such a passion for astronomy that it excites you just to see a moon-sized fuzzy view of Jupiter, then you will enjoy.
I recommend you find someone with a scope of the size you can afford and get them to show you what you can expect to see. Do this before you spend hundreds of pounds.
(Also, viewing takes a lot of patience and some skill)
2007-03-04 22:31:40 · answer #3 · answered by nick s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good pair of eyes is all that is needed.
A good pair of binoculars and you will be able to see Jupiter as a disc and the moons. You would also see Saturn and it's ring. You would see Mars as a disk also.
If you got a decent little refractor or reflector of moderately long focal ratio (around f/6 or bigger number) you can view the planets much more closely.
With a 3" refractor of around f/8 that would cost around 150$? (how much in pounds?). You would be able to see Jupiter and it's bands. Even see the great red spot on a clear night. You could see Saturn with it's bands and even see the division in the rings. You could see Venus as a cresent with it's phases. You could see the dark detail on Mars. Not to mention... You could see some awesome stuff on the moon at around 100 power which is easily obtainable with a 3" refractor.
2007-03-04 21:54:18 · answer #4 · answered by tangsausagees 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You only need your eyes, and binoculars or a telescope if you want a better view than a dot of light. However, in the city of London you might have no luck in seeing planets, because of the city lights. The best view is as far away from cities as possible.
2007-03-05 00:23:41 · answer #5 · answered by jellybeanchick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
#1 equipment is your eyes. Look in the night sky for stars that don't blink or twinkle.
#2 would be a star map. See the link.
#3 a pair of binoculars is helpful. See the second link. For planet watching, I recommend a good 8x50 pair, if you can afford it. Avoid the cheapest ones. I would guess about 50 pounds for half-decent pair, perhaps 100 pounds more likely.
2007-03-04 21:57:01 · answer #6 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
binoculars work, so do your bare eyes. of course with your eyes you will only see a dot in the sky. binoculars should show Jupiter's moons and Saturn's rings. a telescope with more power will show them clearer. or at least a little bigger.
basically all you really need is a site (like heavensabove.com) that shows you where they are in the sky, and then some knowledge of where the stars are in the sky
2007-03-04 22:01:37 · answer #7 · answered by Tim C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋