I just want something that is capable of seeing the other planets. Jupiter and Saturn are the two plants that I mainly want to see.
How much am I looking at for a telescope that is capable of this?
Thank you.
2007-06-14 13:30:23 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Ummm I suggest you go and get yourself exactly what you want... a telescope :) I have a JASON and it works great for me. Less than $200 I think, good luck.
2007-06-14 13:45:30 · answer #1 · answered by annmarie_tpg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most telescopes can see these planets, even the crappy ones. The question is, how good a view of them do you want to get?
The best views will be found in large apochromatic refractors, but these are thousands of dollars.
A 4.5" reflector with a good eyepiece and 2x barlow will give you a decent view, but you may have a difficult time using the high magnifications needed to view the planets because a 4.5" telescope doesn't provide much resolution.
For planets on a budget I'd get the telescope with the largest aperture, and longest focal length you can afford. This will probably be a Dobsonian.
I'd expect to spend $300
You can find good dobsonians at http://www.oriontelescopes.com
2007-06-15 16:03:46 · answer #2 · answered by minuteblue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They usually say a small refractor for planets. However, there is detail that isn't visible until the telescope is 4 or 5 inches. So I dunno, a small Dobsonian? Depends on how much money you want to spend.
The planets won't be huge like a Voyager picture, they only look about as big as 0.5 or 3 full moons in the scope and you have to look deeply to see the little things.
Get it from Orion or a specifically astronomical source. Not department stores, camera stores or malls.
Don't buy ones that say stuff like "650X MAGNIFICATION!!!" those are department store trash -- a telescope can only magnify 50 times it's width in inches. (2 times in millimeters)
2007-06-14 14:04:53 · answer #3 · answered by anonymous 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything that offers a clear view at 100x will do
Go to Edmunds Scientific they had a nice close out for $120
Even the Wal Mart $60 special from Celstion will suffice.
2007-06-14 14:59:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how much you want to spend. The 1st source has some. The 2nd source is a cheap one that will do for starters.
2007-06-14 14:25:08 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋