ChatterBank3 mins ago
Telescope
I've read a couple of former postings about this, but was confused by the science. What I'm really after is some recommendations for people have made a successful choice.
I'm looking for a reasonably-priced telescope which would suit an adult who has shown an interest in the night sky. Ideally, it needs to be relatively portable.
Advice will be gratefully received.
I'm looking for a reasonably-priced telescope which would suit an adult who has shown an interest in the night sky. Ideally, it needs to be relatively portable.
Advice will be gratefully received.
Answers
Best Answer
No best answer has yet been selected by Garble. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.Go for a 100mm refractor . It will need to be an achromatic objective lens ( or better still apochromatic - but more expensive )to ensure you don't have colour aberrations . . The range of eyepieces which come with such a telescope normally include a correcting eyepiece so you can use it for terrestrial spotting too .A tripod is essential . For night sky viewing you could really do with an equatorial mounting too . That will increase the bulkiness of the whole thing but you should still be able to lift it in and out of the house . A lighter normal tripod will allow you to take it in the car for terrestrial / bird spotting etc . but it will be a bit big for this purpose .
The following spec. should do;
1. Newtonian reflector
2. Minimum 110mm diameter (possible (just) to see the bands of jupiter).
3. Tripod with equatorial mount (necessary to track objects as the earth rotates).
4. Motor drive (enables you to track objects without touching the adjustments and shaking the telescope)
You should get something like this or better for under £150 from Skywatcher or Celeston. It will easily fit in the boot of a car, or can be carried around the garden completely assembled.
Any more questions please ask.
1. Newtonian reflector
2. Minimum 110mm diameter (possible (just) to see the bands of jupiter).
3. Tripod with equatorial mount (necessary to track objects as the earth rotates).
4. Motor drive (enables you to track objects without touching the adjustments and shaking the telescope)
You should get something like this or better for under £150 from Skywatcher or Celeston. It will easily fit in the boot of a car, or can be carried around the garden completely assembled.
Any more questions please ask.
-- answer removed --
At least 90% of successful telescope purchasing is doing the research, and that means active participation by the end user. Satisfaction is in direct proportion to your interest in and knowledge of what you are looking for and at, no less than what you're looking with. As for the latter component, I recommend this sight (sic) which has some interesting links of its own - http://findascope.com/
Ultimately, a telescope is only as smart as the user. Happy hunting. :o)
Ultimately, a telescope is only as smart as the user. Happy hunting. :o)
^If you are wondering what a 'dobsonian' is, it is a Newtonian reflector telescope on a cheap altazimuth mount. They tend to be used for large mirrors at relatively low magnification and are used for looking at galaxies and anything else that doesn't need to be tracked accurately but requires good light gathering power. Wouldn't be any use for looking at the planets though.