ok. is it a pain in the *** to travel with a dobsonian or just having a tripod? which is best?
2007-05-24 19:24:05 · 7 answers · asked by Mike m 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I am An Astronomer
On my site i have the advice on buying a telescope and dobsonians are the best choice.
please read my page before buying a telescope. .. and the comments from people who are happy with the telescope I suggest.
any other questions about it or help with it after you purchase it email me.
http://asktheastronomer.blogspot.com/2007/05/here-comes-best-advice-youll-ever-get.html
2007-05-25 18:15:29 · answer #1 · answered by spaceprt 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've owned 24 telescopes of all types over the years, and currently own 9, ranging from a 40mm solar refractor to an 11" Dobsonian reflector, with both equatorial and Dobsonian mounts. The telescope which I use the most is my 11" Dobsonian. It gives me the brightest sharpest images, and sets up in less time than any of my smaller scopes because I store it on a two-wheel hand cart, and just wheel it out whenever I want to observe. No fooling around with assembly and counterweights, which make my equatorials a pain. I can find things quickly either by starhopping or using digital setting circles, and my Dob is mounted on an equatorial platform so it tracks automatically, though tracking with an undriven Dob is really easy too. Unless you spend a lot of money and get a heavy tripod, most tripod mounted scopes are really shaky and frustrating to use, compared to a Dob. My Dob disassembles when I want to travel, and takes up less cargo space in my wagon than any of my smaller scopes.
2007-05-25 08:52:32 · answer #2 · answered by GeoffG 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it's a truss tube dobsonian, then it can be dismantled and put in just about any car.
If it's a solid tube dobsonian, as long as it fits in the car then you can travel with it. If you're adventurous and daring you may even be able to tie it to the top of the car as long was you have a tight cap for it and block off the openings.
Telescopes on tripods can be a little easier to travel with. You will have to unmount the optical tube, either from the mount itself or from the tripod directly. Many Schmidt Cassegrains detach at the tripod and you can leave the OTA in the mount. If it's a newtonian, detaching the OTA from the mount is usually the way to go but taking it out of the rings, and putting it back in without dropping it can be a bit tricky if the OTA is heavy.
2007-05-25 19:55:27 · answer #3 · answered by minuteblue 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The dobsonian will be lighter and more compact than a tripod-mounted telescope of the same size. Depending on how light you are traveling, though, you may find a small tripod-mounted refractor or catadioptric works better, as they are available in much smaller apertures than Newtonians.
2007-05-25 02:38:02 · answer #4 · answered by injanier 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
dobsonian scopes are slower with light and therefore capture Messier objects better. tracking with a dob is hard, and requires you to continue to move it.
get a mak cas or a newtonian telescope. the tracking makes a huge difference.
2007-05-25 05:16:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
OK I'm biased. I'm too spoiled by having my clock drive tracking stuff for me, and being able to use setting circles (I got in well before the goto era). Mine is a C8 Schmidt-Cass, and I can carry everything in one trip if I set my mind to it.
The advantage of the Dob is the cost/aperture value, so if you have a light budget, and want large aperture, go Dob. If you want a slightly more user friendly interface, get an equatorial mount or a goto.
2007-05-25 03:02:58 · answer #6 · answered by Dave O 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
wut the poop is a dobsonianerific thinger?
2007-05-25 02:27:53 · answer #7 · answered by Longearyan 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋