Discussion
I just mooch about and have fun, enjoy looking at some cluster and seeing the colours, maybe Saturn, Maybe the Moon and the odd partial eclipse (colanders are great for that along with a box). I have no aim as such, but rather look see what is going pin. That comet Swan is supposed to be around for a tad. Not got around to where it is at the moment. Look see later.
I bought a meade LX10 for my wife about fifteen years ago. We live a little way outside london in a country environment, I also bought a set of plussy lenses (I think they were called). It has a very rudimentary star finder on it that had virtually never been used. To be honest only one or two of the set of plussy lenses have ever been used.
We take it out into the garden if something exciting gets spotted. Every time I do it I am always impressed with the view.
So I would echo the chap who says don't initially worry about the motors and peripherals. Get a working decent scope first, because for me what would kill the fun instantly is only seeing a blurry light showing not much more detail than a good pair of binoculars. No amount of motors and fancy gizmos is going to make that fun.
We take it out into the garden if something exciting gets spotted. Every time I do it I am always impressed with the view.
So I would echo the chap who says don't initially worry about the motors and peripherals. Get a working decent scope first, because for me what would kill the fun instantly is only seeing a blurry light showing not much more detail than a good pair of binoculars. No amount of motors and fancy gizmos is going to make that fun.
ash73 said:
Patrick Bateman said:
To save starting a new thread...any recommendations for a half decent scope at no more than £100?
...
Here you go...
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescop...
Or if you afford just a bit more...
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescop...
You'll need a moon filter to go with it.
I'm never going to be looking for expensive motorised set ups or photography.
Not much help with this.
Prices and prices. A tricky combo to get right. I heard one experience fella with telescopes mention that a poor choice can put people off. I suppose that is difficult to quantify until the person buying has seen the results. If you have a good set of binoculars, try them out on a tripod as a starter? Say the moon.
Prices and prices. A tricky combo to get right. I heard one experience fella with telescopes mention that a poor choice can put people off. I suppose that is difficult to quantify until the person buying has seen the results. If you have a good set of binoculars, try them out on a tripod as a starter? Say the moon.
Probably worth putting up again.
https://stellarium.org/en/
Planisphere can also be useful and a red light and compass (though pole star when you get the knack)
https://in-the-sky.org/planisphere/
I have a plastic version of the planisphere, sort of a sky guide slide rule.
https://stellarium.org/en/
Planisphere can also be useful and a red light and compass (though pole star when you get the knack)
https://in-the-sky.org/planisphere/
I have a plastic version of the planisphere, sort of a sky guide slide rule.
Anyone got any thoughts on this telescope? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/startravel/sky-wa...
Haven't done any real astronomy for about 25 years, looking for something to get my mojo back.
Haven't done any real astronomy for about 25 years, looking for something to get my mojo back.
covmutley said:
I've been thinking about an 8" dobsonian.
But I'm a bit worried that once I've had a look at moon and couple of the planets I will get a bit bored. Does the interest in learning the night sky need to kick in to keep it interesting?
Depends I suppose. Always been interested in up there.But I'm a bit worried that once I've had a look at moon and couple of the planets I will get a bit bored. Does the interest in learning the night sky need to kick in to keep it interesting?
But every chance I had it is great (work and weather been a great hinderance), I will look at the software, read the various tweets from the experts, Sky ay Night has observing guides for the time of year (there are other publications), then try to observe a cluster for example. No goto on mine meaning carefully set the scope up for alignment with North and star hop or use the rings (try to) to find objects.
You get some wow! moments, colours in the stars in a dense patch or the rings or moons and depending on your scope, defining bands on planets.
Last winter was a wash out, hopefully next winter will be better. Hopefully have my new focuser sorted.
covmutley said:
I've been thinking about an 8" dobsonian.
But I'm a bit worried that once I've had a look at moon and couple of the planets I will get a bit bored. Does the interest in learning the night sky need to kick in to keep it interesting?
It's no point in buying a bicycle unless you are interested in riding it.But I'm a bit worried that once I've had a look at moon and couple of the planets I will get a bit bored. Does the interest in learning the night sky need to kick in to keep it interesting?
Same goes for telescopes.
Eric Mc said:
It's no point in buying a bicycle unless you are interested in riding it.
Same goes for telescopes.
I don't agree with this. A nice telescope is a nice thing to have. I didn't buy mine with the intention of becoming an anorak user. It gets little use probably two or three times a year for the last ten or twelve years.Same goes for telescopes.
The reason is that when I do get it out it is good enough to show me stuff I can't see with a simple set of binoculars in better clarity.
I suspect if it didn't manage to do this it would sit in a cupboard and never see the light of day again.
I think there is a line where by it looks like a telescope but because it doesn't really show much more than can be see with a pair of binoculars it will eventually just see the inside of a cupboard. And those which will give enduring please to someone who doesn't have the time to take it up as a hobby. I think if the op wants advice on this from those most likely to know the difference (not me) then the bicycle analogy is a bit unfair
I wasn't suggesting that the buyer become an "anorak user" - any more than anyone who buys a bicycle has to end up wearing the full lycra set up and joining their local cycle club.
You can buy a basic piece of equipment and have lots of fun with it. The important thing though is that you use it. And, with telescopes, I think you must have a clear idea before you buy it as to how intense you want to be about your observing. Personally, I would not be mad keen to spend thousands of pounds on expensive kit, drives, motors, computer control etc etc.
Just one you can pop up with minimum fuss and start observing using your eyes would do me. I think ease of set up has to be a priority for a casual user.
You can buy a basic piece of equipment and have lots of fun with it. The important thing though is that you use it. And, with telescopes, I think you must have a clear idea before you buy it as to how intense you want to be about your observing. Personally, I would not be mad keen to spend thousands of pounds on expensive kit, drives, motors, computer control etc etc.
Just one you can pop up with minimum fuss and start observing using your eyes would do me. I think ease of set up has to be a priority for a casual user.
Some useful comments, thanks.
It is space x and starlink that has sparked initial interest. A bit weird perhaps, given I understand a lot of astronomers are not exactly keen! But it got me thinking about what's above my head but I dont pay attention to.
Think I'm going to keep following various social media accounts and watch sky at night and see how my interest grows.
It is space x and starlink that has sparked initial interest. A bit weird perhaps, given I understand a lot of astronomers are not exactly keen! But it got me thinking about what's above my head but I dont pay attention to.
Think I'm going to keep following various social media accounts and watch sky at night and see how my interest grows.
Learn about the night sky and what is visible at different times of the year. You will gradually find out what types of objects you find more interesting than others (stars, planets, the moon, galaxies, nebulae etc). That might help you make a choice about what type of equipment will be best for you.
Best time for a scope is winter. Colder weather and longer nights, use the time now to see if you are still interested in a few months?
Certainly Stellarium is worth a download. Celestia as well. Heavens above is another. Sky at night does some interesting non subscription stuff and there are other magazines.
Certainly Stellarium is worth a download. Celestia as well. Heavens above is another. Sky at night does some interesting non subscription stuff and there are other magazines.
Eric Mc said:
Just one you can pop up with minimum fuss and start observing using your eyes would do me. I think ease of set up has to be a priority for a casual user.
Spot on.I have a couple of scopes, a small Bresser refractor on a lightweight go to mount and a 12" Orion Optics Dobsonian that gives stunning views but weighs a shed load.....but.......I also have a pair of imaged stabilised binoculars which give inferior views to my telescopes but get used so much more!
Unless you can leave your gear out ready to go all the time, large, heavy equipment is just a pain in the backside.
ash73 said:
Patrick Bateman said:
ash73 said:
Patrick Bateman said:
To save starting a new thread...any recommendations for a half decent scope at no more than £100?
...
Here you go...
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescop...
Or if you afford just a bit more...
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescop...
You'll need a moon filter to go with it.
I'm never going to be looking for expensive motorised set ups or photography.
To set expectations the view through just about any scope is interesting rather than spectacular, until you start to think about how far away the thing is.
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescop...
Have gone with that and should be here in a day or two.
In the winter, scopes need cooling, bear that in mind. They need to reach the ambient temperature or you get a shimmering on the object you are looking at. Assuming it is kept indoors that is and there is a big difference. Not really bothered in the summer but when I put mine out I keep the lid on til needed, takes a tad longer but keeping the mirror protected for longer.
Bit of a sod though when you set up a few hours before best time and the clouds heave in.
Edit. Oh, and have fun, never tried a Dob.
Bit of a sod though when you set up a few hours before best time and the clouds heave in.
Edit. Oh, and have fun, never tried a Dob.
Edited by Zirconia on Tuesday 16th June 06:45
Patrick Bateman said:
ash73 said:
Patrick Bateman said:
ash73 said:
Patrick Bateman said:
To save starting a new thread...any recommendations for a half decent scope at no more than £100?
...
Here you go...
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescop...
Or if you afford just a bit more...
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescop...
You'll need a moon filter to go with it.
I'm never going to be looking for expensive motorised set ups or photography.
To set expectations the view through just about any scope is interesting rather than spectacular, until you start to think about how far away the thing is.
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescop...
Have gone with that and should be here in a day or two.
I'd echo the comment above about a shroud - the flex-tubes are a great design, but if there's one thing worse than fumbling in the dark and dropping an eyepiece, it's fumbling in the dark and dropping an eyepiece on your primary mirror. As it happens I have just taken delivery of a shiny new SW 250PX goto flex-tube from FLO, and ordered the Astrozap shroud at the same time, but it seems like the backorder is taking for ever so might make something out of neoprene or similar.
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