Im lookin to buy a telescope.?

Question

Dont need to tell me about anyting over $500. cant afford at this point.
just a beginer.
i dont, however want to get ripped off.
I heard that a large aperture is favorable.
I heard reflectors give you more bang for your buck, so to speak.
how about a wal-mart version?( i personaly thought they were junk)

do i have to travel to the middle of nowhere where there is less light from the city?

P.S.
Carl Sagan is a hero of mine!

Answer 1

Your best buy will be the largest Dobsonian reflector you can afford. Don't buy from Wal-Mart or eBay: buy from a telescope store (DUH!) If you can't find one near where you live, look online. Good ones are Orion, Astronomics, OPT, Anacortes, Hands On Optics. You'll get a lot better views, especially of deep sky objects, if you get away from cities with light pollution.

Answer 2

You'll get a better product if you buy from a real astronomy store. For most people, that means buying over the web. Orion - http://www.telescope.com/ - and First Telescope - http://www.firsttelescope.com/ - are a couple of good places with reasonably priced scopes.

Dobsonian reflectors are simple and sturdy and will give you the most telescope for your money. You should be able to manage a 6-incher on your budget and might even be able to stretch for an 8".

You will see a lot more under a dark sky, but you can still see quite a bit from a city. Faint galaxies will be lost to the light pollution, but you can see the moon, the planets, double stars, and many star clusters just fine. Try to find a spot that is at least shielded from any direct lights, and don't observe next door to shopping malls, prisons, or car lots. Also, don't believe the people who tell you you can't use a big telescope in the city; more aperture is better, no matter where you are.

Answer 3

I've been an amateur astronomer for several years, and in my experience the two best telescope companies are Celestron and Meade.

For deep-space observing, a large aperature is definitely what you want, and a reflector is the best system for that too. The idea when deep-space observing is to gather as much light as possible, and a reflector does that for you.

Last time I saw a telescope offered by Wal-Mart it was priced like junk, and the brand name was unfamiliar to me.

Light pollution is always a problem around cities of any size, so the farther away and the higher up you can get the better. That's not to say you can't have some enjoyable observing sessions in or near cities, but nothing beats more isolated locations.

You get what you pay for..!

Answer 4

Maybe someone should explain what a Dobsonian telescope is. Dobsonian refers to the type of mount. The telescope itself is a Newtonian reflector. The main advantage of a Dobsonian is low price for the amount of aperture, because the mount is just a simple turntable like affair that you push around by hand. The are very easy to use and therefore are good telescopes for beginners. Experienced amateur astronomers who want the biggest possible mirror for the price will also go for Dobsonians
Just go on line and visit the websites of the well know brands like Meade, Celestron and Orion, and also visit the web sites of the well known stores. Look for the biggest aperture Dobsonian you can afford from one of the well know manufacturers.

Answer 5

The largest Dobsonian you can afford, brand new, is the 10" Zhummell Dobsonian at http://www.telescopes.com

You don't have to travel to the middle of nowhere but you'd get really nice views if you did, especially with a 10".

Don't buy a telescope at Wal-Mart. Even though you may see brands such as Celestron and Meade there, remember, that is their junk line.

You can learn more about telescopes at
http://members.aol.com/siriusbc/telescopes.htm

Answer 6

I have a Celestron Nexstar 130 SLT. It has a 130mm (5.1 in) aperture and 650mm focal length. I have been reasonably happy with it, though my experiences with Celestron have been a little shady. Sometimes I think that I would like something with a longer focal length to better view the planets, since I live near the city. I've heard that the Meade ETX line is wonderful, not sure how much they are though.

If you don't know - shorter focal lengths are better for deep space objects and longer for planets and closer things.

Going somewhere where it is dark is recommended, but there is plenty to see by your home. If there is a lot of background light, you will struggle to see some of the nebulous objects.

Answer 7

all of us has a Ford Mustang....too hassle-loose not to point a canines. Scion.....too cheapened down...that's the purpose of Scion. i'm guessing you're approximately 20 (or so). I had a Honda CRX while i became into that age because it became into the "pocket rocket" of that ingredient till of course you had a twin rapid Toyota MR2. $20,000....i could be staring at right here...... First physique form of the Lexus SC400. clean V8 that gets comparable mpg as that V6 Stang will and the Lexus is greater luxury, sporty, stylish, and it will basically consume the Stang for breakfast. Lexus vehicles are sleepers...they could not be quickly off the line yet while they are shifting...they have been given some severe torque. i could additionally look into the 2d technology Lexus GS300, GS400 (ninety 8-02). that's extremely the comparable through fact the SC, yet in sedan style for extra area, she would be in a position of hug the curves greater constructive than the SC through weight distribution and he or she would be in a position of take a seat, shift gears as she rolls smoke if the TRAC is became off. The GS400 has the comparable stats through fact the Chevy Camaro Z28 with the Vette 6 speed equipment...different than the Lexus beats it interior the cones. the two a style of vehicles have many products on the marketplace to trick them out, from rims, to turbos, to indoors products, etc. Plus you have the comparable vehicles yet interior the jap version over in Japan so which you're able to decide from their products to boot for much greater of a customised touch that others interior the u . s . does not have. Even final technology Lexus ES300 is a stable selection. that's going to consume a V6 Jetta....that's saying something. different options could desire to be..... Honda Accord Coupe 5 speed Acura RSX

Answer 8

It's true what phd said about the ask the astronomer. I saw this and couldn't help telling you to email the astronomer, he set me up with an 8 inch dobsonian and it's a reflector and it's awesome!! I can find anything with it and he'll teach you all about using it and observing and after that if there is stuff your having trouble locating he'll help you. And he'll help you figue out of you can see stuff.
He is very nice and cool!

Answer 9

Woah !
I saw the ask the astronomer answers and I have to add mine!
He helped me get mine! the salesmen were trying to sell me the wrong one just like robin warned me! so he helped me get the best one! a dobsonian ..awesome guy! really nice!

[e-mail]

He's teaching me how to hunt for comets in email lately! and how to make an astronomy journal !