Telescope for beginners?

[Grandad Gaz]

Can anyone suggest a resonable telescope for me?

Not too expensive or difficult to use. What would £300 buy me?

Would like to be able to make out the rings of Saturn, if possible.

Thanks


Edit: Tried the search function, but to no avail.

[Nuclearsquash]

try here: http://stargazerslounge.com/

They'll be able to give you a lot more information. From personal experience i have a 6" dobsonian, and i can see Saturns rings with ease (magical sight it is too) and much more besides, i think £300 should get you something pretty good http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatc...

[mybrainhurts]

Dirty boy...

[zetec]

We have one of these here,

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatc...

My eldest too this picture by holding a simple camera to the eyepiece (the view from the eyepiece is MUCH clearer).

[don4l]

Grandad Gaz said:

Can anyone suggest a resonable telescope for me?

Not too expensive or difficult to use. What would £300 buy me?

Would like to be able to make out the rings of Saturn, if possible.

Thanks


Edit: Tried the search function, but to no avail.

Choosing a first telescope is very difficult.

Avoid anything that advertises its maximum magnification.

Most telescopes will specify their aperture and focal length. The greater the aperture, the more light will be collected.

"Focal length" is the magnification. Greater magnification is not necessarily a good idea. Objects become difficult to locate and track, and they also become dimmer.

The "F ratio" is the Focal length divided by aperture. This tells us how bright things will be. F10 is quite dim, and F5 is quite bright.

For a beginner, I would recommend a focal length of between 700 and 1000mm.

Skywatcher and Bresser both enjoy a decent reputation.

Don
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[Grandad Gaz]

Many thanks. Will look into those suggestions.

[anonymous-user]

Advantages: very cheap, availible and lightweight
Disadvantages: Not much magnification, doesn't like getting wet


;-)



(and now back to our more sensible contributors........)

[nellyleelephant]

Max_Torque said:

Advantages: very cheap, availible and lightweight
Disadvantages: Not much magnification, doesn't like getting wet


;-)



(and now back to our more sensible contributors........)

Used more regularly than you may think, just on a grander scale!

http://www.meridiantelescopes.com/sonotube.htm