I want to actually be able to get a good look at stars, planets, cosmos, etc. If I pay in the 200-500 range, can I expect that? Or will I merely be seeing a one centimeter circle we call the moon? Can anyone recommend a certain type, or anything at all? Thanks
2007-08-25 05:03:01 · 7 answers · asked by mj.obrien 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The single most important piece of advice we can give you is to find an Astronomy club in your area and attend one of their free "Star Parties" which are open to the public BEFORE you spend a dime of your money. You will get a chance to look through many Telescopes and get lots of answers to your questions. You will learn more in an hour at one of these star Parties than you will in a month of readig about it.
Since this advice is usually ignored ( can't find one, too much trouble, I'd have to meet a bunch of strangers in the dark.. etc. Did I miss any excuses?),At least let me give you a few very important ( and possibly expensive) Don'ts:
Do Not buy a telescope from places like ebay, amazon, Department stores, the shopping channel etc. Yes, you can find bargains there but you have to be very experienced to tell them apart from all the junk that is usually sold there.
Never buy a Telescope advertised by it's magnification such as 675X power Refractor. Run the other way, it is a junk Telescope.
Do Not spend a lot of money on electronic gadgets like "goto", GPS, etc. Spend your money on good optics instead. You can add the "nice to have " gadgets later if you really want them.
DO buy your first telescope from a reputable dealer such as Orion, Celestron or Meade, often referred to as "the big Three". There are many others which a little searching will soon find for you.
I personally like Orion since they sell excellent equipment at very reasonable prices and are famous for their great customer service.
A simple Dobsonian Telescope in the 6" to 8" range is easy to set up, operate and transport, while being large enough to provide some excellent observing. These are definitely not toys or kid's Telescopes but are serious observing instruments. And the nice thing is that you can add to them as your interest in the hobby grows. Take a look at the "learning" section of the Orion Catalog at www.telescope.com . lots of info there.
Good Luck!
Adolph
2007-08-26 01:46:24 · answer #1 · answered by Adolph K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For planetary observations you like a refractor. make certain you get an equatorial mount so which you would be able to hint the planets and moon. commercial optics have their drawbacks, even from sturdy manufacturers like Celestron. Dobsonian reflectors are very known yet their optics are frequently damaging high quality- apart from some residing house made mirrors (they have a tendency to be greater suitable than synthetic ones). do no longer complication with 450X on a three-inch refractor, I hardly went that best with a 10-inch one. Even on a extensive refractor, you like a sturdy stable ecosystem for that. (And a motorizedchronic to hint it). Even a low-magnification eyepiece, say 50X, is sufficient to work out the rings of Saturn, the Moons of Jupiter, and lunar good factors. in case you purchase retail, Orion Telescope center in California is quite sturdy. study comments for the telescope you go with. (My first telescope substitute into an uncomplicated alt-azimuth fixed 3-inch Edmund scientific from a newspaper advert, $forty. I even observed the Ashen gentle of Venus with it).
2016-11-13 09:27:12 · answer #2 · answered by gjokaj 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Within that range you can get a pretty darn good telescope. Multiple amatuer astronomers, as well as some magazines I've read, recommend a Meade ETX series. Check Amazon as an example - there are at least 3 models within your price range.
2007-08-25 05:13:00 · answer #3 · answered by Jim S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi. I would start with a good pair of quality binoculars first. Then if your interest continues, a good Dobsonian in the 6" - 10" range.
2007-08-25 05:12:16 · answer #4 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the bigger the reflecter the better you are going to see One other thing DO NOT buy a telescope at a departmentstore!
2007-08-25 05:14:22 · answer #5 · answered by Katie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something like the one in the 1st source would be good. See the second source to look at all products offered by that company.
2007-08-25 05:37:47 · answer #6 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read this. The advice applies anywhere.
http://astronomy.concreteairship.com/scope.htm
2007-08-25 11:56:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋