Want to start studying astronomy as a hobby - Need a telescope & advice please?

Question

I've began taking a very keen interest in UFOS, the planets in our solar system, the moon, the possibility of life on other planets, and astronomy in general, but I have no idea where to start!

I'd love to invest in some equipment, most notibly a telescope but again I wouldnt know where to start, and what capabilities one would have - For instance would I be able to see any of the planets in our solar system, and how detailed would the moon apear?

Any tips in general?

Im only 17 so my 'budget' isn't too large. I could probably stretch to just over £200.

Answer 1

My main piece of advice is to first learn a bit about astronomy, and only later get a telescope. If you get a telescope now, will you actually be able to find a single thing in the sky, except maybe the Moon?

Let me first recommend a really excellent book: NightWatch by Terence Dickinson (Firefly). Terry will answer most of your questions in a clear understandable way. Terry and I have been friends since we both were about your age, and he really knows his stuff and how to write about it.

Secondly, find your local astronomy club and join it. I take it you're in the UK; there are excellent astronomy clubs just about everywhere there. Despite the lousy English weather, England is a land of astronomers! Pick up a copy of Astronomy Now at your newsagent; it has a couple of pages devoted to local happenings, and is an excellent magazine in general. In a club you'll get a chance to look through many different telescopes before you buy one. Also club members often have used telescopes for sale at good prices.

£200 is about the minimum for a decent telescope, and will get you a small Dobsonian like this:
http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/swtinc/product.php?class1=1&class2=106

In fact £179 will get you this:
http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/astronomical_telescopes/sky-watcher/dobsonians

But do some reading first, so you'll know how to use it and won't look like a fool! It will show you all the planets and tons of detail on the Moon, plus double stars, starclusters, nebulae, and galaxies. I've got one similar myself.

Answer 2

Similar question has appeared before. I'll give the same advice - join a local club/society, talk to the members, probably they'll have session where they'll let you try their telescopes.
Once you know the sort of things you want to observe, and have a "feel" for the kind of telescope you want/can afford, then buy. Meanwhile, you'll be surprised how much good binoculars show, if you have or can borrow a pair.
Federation of Astronomical Societies' web site below.

Answer 3

Don't bother getting a telescope. for £200.00 even 2nd hand it will not be worth spending the money.

Join your local astronomy club as they are bound to have instruments that will let you borrow and give advice on.

From experience I use my Meade ETX more than any other instrument (and I have a few!) . It's small, I can take it away with me, even on a plane, and it takes only a few minutes to set up.

So I would save up a bit first and get something good.Otherwise a good pair of binoculars is better value for money in the sub £400 bracket.

Answer 4

The best instrument to use is the largest you can afford. You'll get more bang for the buck if you use a reflecting telescope, compared with a refracting. Reflecting uses one less lens to gather, cutting down on atmospheric interference. Obviously, the wider the more light it gathers. Refracting scopes are nice if you change lens a lot or shoot pictures. The details of the moon in a small telescope are amazing. Seeing Saturn is breathtaking. I love it. If you only want to try out star gazing, use binoculars. You can just make out the nebula in Orion's belt with them.

Answer 5

Just in Case you missed it, let me say it again !!! :
FIND AN ASTRONOMY CLUB IN YOUR AREA !!!!!!
Sorry, I know it is impolite to shout, and I apologize for that. But that is the single most important piece of advice we can give you.!
Do NOT spend a penny on equipment until you do that.( A good, general book on the subject is fine.)
More folks become discouraged with this Hobby after spending a lot of money on totally unsuitable equipment. Add to that the fact that they started with totally unrealistic expectations and you have a recipe for disaster.
If you are impatient to get started ( understandable), download one of the free Planetarium programs such as "Hello Northern Sky" which will show you what the sky looks like from your house on any date, any time, after you enter your location etc.
Then, print out the night's sky view and go outside to observe with the Telescope God gave you, namely your eyes.
All of this will still be much needed after you get your Telescope, after all, you need to be able to find things in the sky before you can look at them with your scope.
Good Luck!

Adolph

Answer 6

My best advice is to subscribe to Sky &Telescope magazine, and read every issue cover to cover. I think they now provide it online as well. As the months go by, you will learn enormous amounts about both the scientific and the practical side of Astronomy from the intelligent layman's perspective. Good luck!

Answer 7

Biggest tip is get away from ambient light, a good place is a clearing in a forest. No light from towns or cities or roads will get to you making it easier for you to see the stars.

www.astronomycast.com
http://www.astronomycast.com/observing/episode-33-coosing-and-using-a-telescope/

And they have a free podcast on itunes. You can also dowload normal mp3's from their website so they can be used on any player.

And I know they are Americans but the speak some sense sometimes. Plus all the equipment they suggest will be easy to get here but possibly more expensive.

Answer 8

Go to

http://www.telescopes.com

look at their specials and closeouts if you want a real deal.

Must be some place like that in the UK.

you can afford some really powerful astronomical binoculars on that budget...check out some of the 20 and 25 power biggies...you will need some kind of tripod to steady them.

Answer 9

Given your budget, you might be better off with a decent pair of binoculars.

The bigger the objective lens, the better, as it will let in more light. A 10x50 (10 times magification, 50mm lens) would be ok, plus a tripod to keep them steady.

Answer 10

If u live in a large city the city light will partially blind the telescope.