what is a good telescope?

Question

i can spend up to $300. what would you recommend? i will probably buy off ebay, so i can afford something up to $350 msrp.

im an amature at this and really need help picking a good scope? reflector? refractor? whats the difference? any other types? i just want something that gives a clear view of the moon and close planets. it would be cool to see some stars up close too.

Answer 1

Everything under $300 is basically JUNK it's a matter of getting JUNK at a good value.

Edmunds, for example, had a cellstion refractor with equitorial mount for $110, a good value

There is an Orion Dobsionian for under $400 that is a decent value.

Refractors work with lenses and have low light gathering and sometimes red or blue tinge around white objects, but they are easy to maintain, small, light and inexpensive.

Reflectors have more light gathering power but they are big and bulky and weigh a lot and after 4 or 5 years you have to get a new mirror or get it resurfaced.

There are, essentially, two types of mounts.

Alt-Azumith (which includes Dobsonian)

Equitorial (which includes both fork and counter weight)

Equitorials are not easy to use until you learn how to work them, but they let you follow the stars with the turn of one knob OR let you lock on to a star with a motor drive and keep it in the viewfinder for hours for taking pictures.

Some mounts, both Alt Azumith and Equitorial, have computer controls (but NOT Dobsonians) to find objects instantly with the push of a button

Equitorials have setting controls with numbers that let you find objects using those numbers once you set them for the first time. You simply move the mount to an RA or DEC for a given charted object and if the circles and your scope are fairly accurate youare with in one degree of that object

No computer drive required for that. Just a chart and YOUR ability to set them one time.

Equitorial mounts add $100-$400 to the price of a scope

Drives add $100-$200 to the price of a scope

Computer controls add $100-$200 to the price of a scope

You also want large size draw tube (1 1/4 inch) not the metric ones (which come on small scopes like the $110 Celestion).

You also want good eyepieces.

Erfiels for wide viewing, orthochromatic for high power, Kellener or Hygens for mid range.

50 power per inch is the limit of magnification.

You need 100x to see Jupiter or Saturn nicely

So that's a 2" scope minimum

You need light gathering power to see clusters and deep sky objects like the Ring Nebula, that means 8 to 12" Newtonians

CASSEGRAINIANS subtract 2" from the mirror size for magnification and light gather as they put a hole in the back of it.

Thus an 8" Cassie = a 6" Newtonian

Cassies are easier to postion and work with

Answer 2

I would get the Orion xt8 Classic. It's an 8" dobsonian with a fairly long focal length so it will do well on planets and it will allow you to see galaxies, nebulas and star clusters too.


It's a little more than $300 but there's a 6" one that's cheaper if you wish.

http://www.oriontelescopes.com

There are reflectors, refractors, and catadioptrics, and then various sub-catagories. The most common reflectors are newtonians, the most common catadioptrics are Schmidt Cassegrains, followed by Maksutov Cassegrains.

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

Answer 3

This is not the best place to get detailed help with buying a telescope, as there aren't many people here who know much about them. Try this Yahoo Group instead:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/telescopes/

Don't by from eBay: most of the scopes there are complete junk! Buy from a legitimate telescope store, either locally or online: Orion, Astronomics, OPT, Anacortes, Hands On Optics.

The best buy under $300 is an Orion 6" Dobsonian reflector:
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=238462&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=09185

Answer 4

OK this is from an astronomer who works in schools... DONT GET ONE! If you are interested in astronomy and want to look at space GET BINOCULARS. Why?

A - Cheaper
B - Easier to use
C - More maneuverable
D - Even kids can use them without breaking them

Just because you are intrested in a telesope NOW doesn't mean you will be in a year. Binoculars you can use for not just astronomy but also bird watching ETC. With a pair of binoculars that are good you can see the craters of the moon, rings of Saturn etc.

If you really want to get a telescope then i suggest contacting your local observatory or astronomy group to see if anyone is selling them as they will show you how to use them.

As for best type? For a newbie i'd suggest what is called a reflecting telescope (meaning it reflects the light with mirrors not refracts it with lenses eg http://www.company7.com/orion/graphics/NewtonianLightPath649499.jpg ) Anyone can make these the company that i work for owns 6 that were all made locally by astronomers like myself.

Answer 5

Shop at the sources, not ebay. All the telescopes in these source should be good. Many are under $300, but many are more expensive too.