Amateur astrologer advice?

Question

For a basic amatuer astrologer what kind of equipment (telescope power) would be good for local viewing?

Answer 1

This is the same answer I posted three questions ago. No complaining about plagiarism. Just laziness. By the way, I don't know what you mean about "local viewing".

OK, firstly your question indicates that you have no experience. It's important to do research or you could finish up with an expensive hobby-killer.

Please don't assume that any scope will be OK. You should find a local amateur astronomy club. They'll be happy to show you different scopes and what you can see through them. Either that, or a specialist telescope shop. NOT a camera shop that sells telescopes, NOT the toy section of a department store.

What a telescope does is magnify what it sees. But the more important factor is how much light it collects, which means the size of it's main lens or mirror. If it gathers more light, then objects seem brighter, whch is obviously important for very distant things, which are faint. If two telescopes have identical focal lengths and optical quality, then the one with the larger aperture will show a brighter, more detailed image.

Having said that, these are good scopes for beginners. They are NOT "beginner scopes", though. Their quality is good and they are used by very experienced observers also.

http://www.telescope.com/control/category/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes

Read this, also. Ignore that it's for Australia, and ignore any money amounts which are in Aust $ for 2002. The principle is the same.

http://astronomy.concreteairship.com/scope.htm

Answer 2

Because you confuse astronomers and astrologers and ask about "local viewing" I figure you're new to this. I'd recommend doing some "homework" (the fun kind) before spending any money. Here are a couple of books to buy...you can borrow them from the library, but I expect you'll want to own them both sooner or later:

NightWatch by Terence Dickinson (Firefly). This is the best introduction to amateur astronomy, and covers everything you need to know, well written and beautifully illustrated.

Star Ware by Phil Harrington (Wiley) 4th edition. This tells you everything you need to know about telescopes, eyepieces, and accessories.

For most beginners, the best telescope is a Dobsonian reflector. Buy from a telescope store, not Wal-Mart or eBay. And find your local astronomy club...they'll let you look through their telescopes and give you all kinds of help.

Answer 3

First get a set of star maps. Otherwise you won't know where to look or what you're looking at.
The map in the middle pages of the astronomy magazines is good enough to start with. It will show quite a few deep sky objects that you can hunt down.
A pair of 10x50 binoculars mounted on a tripod will give you better views than a cheap camera store telescope. You need to buy an adapter so they will connect to the tripod.

If you really and truely want to start off with a telescope, you'll want to get something that is easy and intuitive to use and has a large enough aperture to keep you happy for a couple of years before you feel the need to upgrade.
An 8" Dobsonian mounted reflector would suit your purpose well. Most come with a couple of eyepieces. The only other purchases would be a collimator and a 2x barlow lens.

Answer 4

For astronomy (not astrology) start off with a good pair of binoculars. There are more portable and with a small camera tripod attached to them are easy to use. A good pair of binoculars will show the craters on the moon, Jupiter and its four largest moons , Saturn's rings and heaps of other interesting objects.
Consider joining an astronomical society of group, get a good star chart or a planisphere and become familiar with the sky and the consider a telescope.

Answer 5

Telescope are not essential for astrology.
Astronomy and astrology are different.
For an astrologer, rather than telescope, you should be good in stargazing, planets, moon and sun and their motion..
You can get more information about astrology in books.
Theory is the main part of astrology. stargazing in essential in astronomy of you are a beginner. So, be good in theories from books and sites.


Good luck,
but remember- you asked for astrology- astronomy and astrolgy are different. you can see more on wikipedia.org

Answer 6

I would say get a good pair of 3 optic power reading glasses and and keep them clean. This way you will not miss a THING in the local newspaper horoscope section.

SEE! I just saved you a fortune on the optics purchase.

Answer 7

Don't confuse astrology and astronomy.

Astronomy is the study of galaxies, stars, planets, etc. It is a respected and worthwhile area of research.

Astrology is a hokey pseudoscience that tries to use the positions of stars and planets to predict the future, at which it fails miserably, while simultaneously depriving naive consumers of their money.

Answer 8

A refractor telescope with a 4 inch objective lens...a 40mm plosl wide angle ocular...a 3x barlow lens. That should start you off.