Want to buy a telescope for looking at planets?

Question

I have never used a telescope before. I am technologically inclined. So learning to use one is no big deal. I just want to be able to look at planets and stars and things at night now and then. What should i be looking for in terms of specifications and dollar range US/Can.....What can you really see in a sub 400 telescope.

Answer 1

How much you can see with a telescope in your price range depends on how hard you are willing to work at it. $400 will buy you a fairly decent 6" or 8" Dobsonian. This is a totally manual telescope, that requires you to learn the sky well enough to find objects on your own. If you want computer control and automatic tracking, you can't get much of a telescope for under $1000.

The most important optical specification is aperture, the diameter of the main lens or mirror. The bigger the aperture, the brighter, sharper, and more detailed the view. A highly motivated observer can enjoy virtually any telescope, but to see a good selection of objects you will need at least a 6" aperture. Buy only from reputable telescope stores. Avoid Walmart, eBay, camera and sporting goods stores, etc. - most of the telescopes sold in these places are junk. Brand name is no guarantee of quality.

What you can see bears no resemblance to Hubble pictures. Galaxies and most nebulae will be dim, barely detectable smudges. From in or near a large city most of these fainter objects will be difficult or impossible to see, so most of us travel as often as possible to remoter sites with dark skies. The challenge is in what you can find, and how much detail you can make out in it. Knowing something about what you're looking at definitely adds to the enjoyment.

If possible, find an astronomy club near you and attend some of their star parties. This is the best way to get an idea of what telescopes are available and what they can do.

Answer 2

It takes a really, really, good telescope, (about as big as a Sunday golf bag), costing more like 800 to 1000 dollars to even begin to see anything but points of light. Then too, there isn't all that much to see. You'll see Jupiter and Saturn, of course, but Venus will still look like a white disc. But there is a different kind of telescope, the reflecting Telescope, which can be used to see planets pretty well but not encumbered with thick heavy, (and expensive), lenses.
Shop around for the most expensive one you can afford, because if you buy a cheap telescope, you are better off buying a good pair of binoculars.

Answer 3

Beginner's scopes (under $400) are pretty sturdy, dependable, mass-produced wide-field viewers that are more stable than just looking through binoculars.

In fact, a good set of field binoculars would work just as well if you have a quiet place to set up a lawn chair.

If you want to see details beyond shinnies in the sky and their positions, you will have to a) make a serious investment, or b) find someone who has.

If it were for a child instead, I would highly recommend the low-end scopes, since interests vary wildly at young ages.

Answer 4

If you mean a telescope costing less than $400. this should not be a problem. Unfortunately you have the problem of the Earth's rotation to deal with, you may to have to spend a bit more for a motorized drive.

Answer 5

A sub $400 telescope will get you an instrument that won't be much good for anything and will probably kill your interest in astronomy. A good eye piece alone can cost $400!

Join an astronomy club, go their star parties and get experience looking through good telescopes, then save your money and get one you know will complement your interests.

Answer 6

Many of the telescopes in this price range are small in aperture and mounted on shaky tripods. The exceptions are what are called Dobsonian reflectors, such as these:
http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=9
http://sky-watcher.net/swtinc/product.php?class1=1&class2=106

These will give you a large enough aperture to see significant detail on the Moon and planets, and their solid Dobsonian mounts will give you vibration-free views.

Answer 7

I dont really know but look around and maybe you will find somthing that hepls your interest!

Answer 8

wow Mira gave my suggestion !
ask an astronomer !

she helped me use my scope and accesories and now i am really enjoying them
she'll really help you!!
and teach you about using your scope and finding things out in the night sky

go for it !