I'd like to buy a telescope any advice?

Question

i've never even looked thru another persons telescope.
Total amateur

Answer 1

Eri's advice about joining an astronomy club is excellent. I'd also look for a better source of telescope information than Yahoo Answers, such as this group:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/telescopes/

Here are a couple of good articles online:
http://observers.org/beginner/j.r.f.beginner.html
http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html

Answer 2

Well before you go out and spend a large sum of money (good telescopes start at around $400 with occasional exceptions) I would visit your local astronomical society and perhaps attend a star party so you can look through some telescopes to get an idea of what you're getting into.

You should also learn a little about telescopes first. I can help you with that.

The most important aspect of a telescope is not power, like most people think. It's aperture. Aperture is the diameter of the telescope, more specifically of it's lens if it's a refractor, and mirror if it's a reflector or catadioptric.

Most things in space are just too dim for our little eyes to see, and so the telescope is like a light funnel, collecting light, condensing it, and making the object brighter for us.
Most things in the sky need little magnification, and this is achieved using various eyepieces. Most people never use their highest powered eyepiece, or only just occasionally when the conditions permit.

The second thing you need to know is that mounts are very important. A telescope must have a sturdy mount or you will be in for a night of frustration. The mounts are the expensive part of the telescope because they are precision built, and are usually made of metal. Those economy line telescopes are relatively cheap because of the poor mounts they come on.

You should buy a proven name brand such as Meade, Celestron, or Orion. Zhumell may be a brand to consider as well, though it's not as known. Other more specialty brands are Astro-Physics, Takahashi, and TeleVue. Be warned, Meade and Celestron both make an "economy" line that they sell in department stores. Stay away from those lines. You are better off saving your money for a better one.

Third, goto, it's nice but you don't need it. If you can afford an 8" telescope with goto then that's fine, but don't buy a 4.5" or 5" telescope with goto, spend the money on more aperture.

Go here to learn more about telescopes:
http://hometown.aol.com/Siriusbc/telescopes/ts2.htm

Answer 3

Eri and Geoff are right. Go to a star party; there will be several scopes and probably a fair cross section of what's available for you to purchase in the future - after the following takes place:

1. You get a feel for the night sky and what is out there to see (there's a lot to see).
2. You understand that what you see in the eyepiece is incredible not because it looks like the photographs in the book (which it won't), but because it's not a photograph in a book.
3. You meet some friends that are willing to help you (you will need more help than you think you will).
4. You develop patience to not give up after you make some dumb mistakes that may waste most of an evening. This can be frustrating, but is generally quietly rewarding in the long run.
5. You save enough to buy something worthwhile without spending a fortune - say a good pair of binoculars or a dob with decent aperture. Don't waste your money on a cheap telescope - that's like buying a cheap musical instrument that causes endless frustration because it never sounds good.

So good luck and have fun!

Answer 4

There are a lot of good used ones [I know, I have two - a reflector and a Maksutov-Cassegrain, that I have been trying to sell]. Do not be fooled into thinking that because it is new it is better - you'll often get a bunch of stuff you don't need.

The advice about joining an astronomy club or going to a local star party is right on - you'll know when you leave if astronomy is right for you.

Answer 5

Try joining a local astronomy club. They often hold 'star parties' where you can look through people's telescopes and get an idea for what you want out of a telescope.

Answer 6

Most astronomy clubs hold regular viewing nights, go along to a viewing night and ask some questions and have a look through different scopes. Here is a link to most of the clubs in Australia.

http://www.quasarastronomy.com.au/society.htm

Answer 7

A bare minimum you want a 60mm x 700 mm refractor. Uner $100

A better scope would be a 6" Newtonian with a fork mount or equitorial mount. Under $500

A very good scope would be a 10" or 12" Cassigranian with fork mount and clock drive and planet findering. Over $1,200