1LikesI decided I want to pick it up as another hobby that I can dump money into and I'm looking at where to begin for something decent and still entry level as far as bells and whistles. Anyone an astronomy enthusiast or know someone who is?
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Does anyone here have any experience with telescopes? I decided I want to pick it up as another hobby that I can dump money into and I'm looking at where to begin for something decent and still entry level as far as bells and whistles. Anyone an astronomy enthusiast or know someone who is?
Huge question. What are you looking at doing? Just some gazing, astro photography, deep space?
Want something that is automated and tracks/finds stuff, or want a big light bucket to see deep into space and get great views of nebulas, etc?
Mostly want to get started with looking at deep space things. Planets, galaxies, things like that. I was looking at a couple of them as starters. This one as a real starter for the cheap side. Basically something to get me started and learning what I'm doing and what I'm looking for. There was also this one but I'm afraid I'd be in over my head even though it seems to be a really quality scope on the entry level side.Originally Posted by Blueline
Both are decent scopes but you will be limited in deep sky viewing, however they would be considered good starting scopes. Personally if I had to do it all over again from the start, I'd go with a 10" or 12" dobsonian to start out with as they gather alot more light for those far away galaxies, etc. Of course the cost jumps dramatically when you go for the larger mirrors, but performance jumps even more than cost.'
I had the pleasure of building my own 10" Dobsonian in a class at a monestery in Hollywood taught by John Dobson himself about 15 years ago. Grinded my own primary mirror and built the stand, box and assembled the whole thing. Turned out great and worked like a charm even before having the mirror coated. You can skip all the grinding and buy just the mirrors and still build your stand. Been thinking about doing a 16" truss dobsonian for some time now. More info on building your own can be found here.
Great topic....we have a telescope and took it camping one night but were completely lost being able to get it focused on anything....
Usually best to start on the moon (a decent moon filter is required for optimal viewing) as it is big and bright. Get a simple star chart and you'll be finding all kinds of stuff to view depending on the power of the scope. Nothing like seeing Saturn's rings or the moons around Jupiter for the first time with your own eyes.
Our model is a Konus...the Konustart 900.
Konus Konustart 900 Motor, 2.4" equatorial refractor 1740
The last 2 times camping were both on moonless nights with plenty of stars...as a a matter of fact in San Luis Obispo the wife and counted about 5 or 6 shooting stars simply seen with the naked eye.
Last edited by Hipcheck; August 7th, 2011 at 04:41 PM.
HOW TO FIND
THE ORION NEBULA:
Locate the constellation Orion.
Next, find the three stars that make up Orion's belt.
Above the belt, you will see a bright red star. This is Betelgeuse.
Draw a line from Betelgeuse down through the left star in Orion's belt, Alnitak. This is the direction toward which Orion's sword points.
Now track toward the bottom of the sword; this is where you'll find the Orion Nebula.
That was pretty easy, right? Still, go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back, because you've just found one of the coolest things you can see it the night sky. But that doesn't mean you should stop looking. There's plenty more to see!
You know, fightin' in a basement offers a lot of difficulties. Number one being, you're fightin' in a basement!
Very cool stuff. I'm going to keep looking for info and decide on something. Space is also a concern so that might factor in but hopefully not. Hopefully this gets some more interest as well and maybe get some other people contributing and getting into it.HOW TO FIND
THE ORION NEBULA:
Locate the constellation Orion.
Next, find the three stars that make up Orion's belt.
Above the belt, you will see a bright red star. This is Betelgeuse.
Draw a line from Betelgeuse down through the left star in Orion's belt, Alnitak. This is the direction toward which Orion's sword points.
Now track toward the bottom of the sword; this is where you'll find the Orion Nebula.
Don't get me wrong about the 2 scopes you have looked at, they are both fine scopes and will allow you to see alot. I just know that after I got my first scope, by the end of the first star party I was already looking at upgrading to a bigger scope to see more/better. So rather than spend 400 and then 600 soon after, I'd just as soon spend 700 and get the better scope right at the start if I had it to do over.
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