Star gazing, not Hollywood

[jmorgan]

What would be a good starter spy glass? Been playing with a few puter programs and looking out the back door to see whats what. Red shift and Stary night. Tried my bino's on the moon, impressive when the weather allows. Not too expensive, just need a few pointers.

[alexkp]

I have a Meade 90 which has the handheld computer control and will find anything you want or just take you on a tour of the night sky for any evening you are viewing.

[jmorgan]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Ta for the reply. I know nothing about these beasties. Not sure what to spend as I don't know what I will achieve or what I can achieve....if that makes any sense.

[jmorgan]

No one else?

[parrot of doom]

Where in the country are you? You can have the world's best telescope, but if the sky is orange you won't see much.

[jmorgan]

South Wales. Between Cardiff and swanea. It can be orange but sort of over there if you see what I mean. On a rainy night. Looking up last night, black. Back garden looks over other back gardens not the street with lights etc.

After pointers for a good scope for a starter. Pro's and cons etc.

Ta.

[puggit]

I also have a Meade ETX-90. Great scope for beginners, and ultra-portable (took it to Maldives on honeymoon!!). If you're visiting the USA buy it there as it is the same price in dollars as pounds, although carting something like that through customs could be dodgey, especially with the tripod.

The ETX-90 has the aforementioned computer, which is a great tool (if you can see the pole star!!!). Learn a bit about the 2 important mounts, equitorial and alt-azimuth.

Buy some extra eyepieces on ebay - Meade or Celestrion (cheaper brand, just as good IMHO).

My advice would be to get out there lots and really study those skies with the naked eye and binoculars first. Get some good books which tell you what you can see with binos, telescope etc.

Astronomy Now is a great monthly magazine, I normally can only find it large WH Smiths.

Any questions, drop me a mail.

[Eric Mc]

I think getting a telescope is secondary to learning your way around the night sky. Find out what's "up there", what the interesting objects are, the name sof the constellations etc and THEN decide on the type of telescope to get. In fact, most astronomy books and mags usually say that a decent pair of binoculars is often a better bet for beginners. If you have a tripod already, even better.

[john75]

Remember seeing a Astroid storm a few years back very impressive better than 5th November

[Eric Mc]

Do you mean "Meteor Shower" by any chance?

Asteroids are fairly big lumps of real estate - up to 300 miles in diameter in one case. Meteors are small lumps of rock or dust which burn up in the earth's atmosphere preducing a meteor trail. There are a couple of well known meteor showers each year - notably the Leoinids and the Perseids.

[jmorgan]

Hmmm. Right, need a tripod for the bino's. Wedging myself in the door way is no good, I understand that. Get Astronomy now for a read and keep playing with my software.


Only worry is the next doors might wonder what I am up to.

Thanks for the input everyone.

>> Edited by jmorgan on Sunday 13th February 12:55

[Eric Mc]

Forget about the neighbours.

I'm always playing around with binoculars in my back garden - looking at aeroplanes during the day and the stars at night.

[tuttle]

Small tip for tripod buying.Get a really solid heavy type(if your not lugging it around that is)vibration,even a tiny bit can really ruin your viewing.The Slik company make some very decent,solid(for the price)jobbies.

[Frik]

Coincidently I've spent the last couple of days looking for a 'scope for me Dad's 60th.

Think I'll settle for a small dobsonian as while the budget's tight, poor optics will not be appreciated.

I would have thought, considering your location, that the best thing to do would be to pop into a place like Forsight Optical in Porthcawl as they're local.

Here's a couple of sights that might be of interest:

www.r-clarke.org.uk/starting_astro1.htm
www.r-clarke.org.uk/astrolinks_vendors.htm

Telescope buying is so much more complex than simply more money = better. It's certainly worth getting yourself more involved in the subject first.

[jmorgan]

Great. That's down the road from me. Looking up them links, very interesting.

Seems my Tasco 10*50 should do for now.

Thanks

[groomi]

Eric Mc said:

Forget about the neighbours. I'm always playing around with binoculars in my back garden - looking at aeroplanes during the day and the stars at night.

Yeh, but have you seen the wierdo who walks around spying on everyone?


Oh, er, wait a minute....

[Eric Mc]

Sounds like The Home Secretary.

[wolosp]

jmorgan said:

Great. That's down the road from me. Looking up them links, very interesting.

If you get Astronomy Now, you'll be aware of the club section - is there a local Astro club near you? They may well have observing nights where you can try out some 'scopes before you buy.