Help me with telescope

[tentacle]

I never have had telescope in my life. Because of children who wants to look at sky, stars and moon, I want to buy one.

Since Im amateur I wants your help. What kind of telescope should I buy? Any suggestions?

 

And my second question is, when I buy it, what then? Im mean sure I could point to the moon but thats it. Any advices, suggestions, idea...anything. Im open for all.

 

Thanks in advance.

[ajb]

I would go for a smallish refractor, something similar to my Bresser Skylux NG 70-700 refractor. You should also pick up some other essentials such as Planisphere and a torch with red filter. I have made a list here.

 

The Moon is a great and easy target for you. I also suggest you look at Jupiter and its moons. The phases of Venus can easily be seen in a small telescope also. Small telescopes are not so great for details of Jupiters bands or for viewing galaxies or planitary nebula. They are also not so great for the larger star clusters, but assuming you are in the Northen Hemisphere the Pleiades must be on your list.

 

One problem with cheaper telescopes can be the finderscope. I changed the one that came with the telescope to a better one. Anyway, what you should practice without the telescope at first is "star hopping". Look to use the brighter stars that you can easily recognise to guide you to your targets. This will help you get a picture of the night sky as well has aid you in finding less bright objects when you start to look for more objects.

 

Another option is to go for binoculars. They are great for star clusters and okay for the larger features on the Moon. The Pleiades and Hyades clusters are a must with binoculars. Also the Double Cluster should be on your list.

 

I hope that gets you started.

[Enthalpy]

The best option, if available, would be to join an astronomy club.

[tentacle]

I would go for a smallish refractor, something similar to my Bresser Skylux NG 70-700 refractor. You should also pick up some other essentials such as Planisphere and a torch with red filter. I have made a list here.

 

The Moon is a great and easy target for you. I also suggest you look at Jupiter and its moons. The phases of Venus can easily be seen in a small telescope also. Small telescopes are not so great for details of Jupiters bands or for viewing galaxies or planitary nebula. They are also not so great for the larger star clusters, but assuming you are in the Northen Hemisphere the Pleiades must be on your list.

 

One problem with cheaper telescopes can be the finderscope. I changed the one that came with the telescope to a better one. Anyway, what you should practice without the telescope at first is "star hopping". Look to use the brighter stars that you can easily recognise to guide you to your targets. This will help you get a picture of the night sky as well has aid you in finding less bright objects when you start to look for more objects.

 

Another option is to go for binoculars. They are great for star clusters and okay for the larger features on the Moon. The Pleiades and Hyades clusters are a must with binoculars. Also the Double Cluster should be on your list.

 

I hope that gets you started.

 

Sorry for late response and thank you for your informative post. Thats exactly type of answer I was looking. I will now go to the shop and see if they have such telescope and hear their recommandations. I will go step by step and in future I will be free to ask you more questions. Thanks again.

[ajb]

Thats exactly type of answer I was looking.

I am glad to have been of some help.

 

I will now go to the shop and see if they have such telescope and hear their recommandations.

Is there a dedicated astronomy shop near you? Camera shops sell lots of telescopes, some good some not so good. But one problem could be is that the people working in the shop are not interested in astronomy and their advice will be limited. That is not to say I am anything like an expert, but I have used a couple of small scopes and binoculars for astronomy.

 

What Enthalpy says is absolutely right, try to join a club. They will give you lots of advice and may even have equipment you can borrow. Attending any observing sessions and lectures that the club runs will also be very informative.

 

I will go step by step and in future I will be free to ask you more questions. Thanks again.

You are more than welcome to ask questions here. I cannot guarantee that I or other members can always answer them, but please post any further questions and let us know how you get on.

[tentacle]

yes we have astronomy shop in our town. i will inform you how things developed. about joinig the club-i dont have time for social life. sadly.

Edited August 29, 2014 by tentacle

[ajb]

yes we have astronomy shop in our town.

That is good, they will be able to help you in person. Of course they want to sell you something, but they should be able to offer some advice on what would suit you.

[Fuzzwood]

yes we have astronomy shop in our town. i will inform you how things developed. about joinig the club-i dont have time for social life. sadly.

Time or interest?

[tentacle]

Time or interest?

Now you sound like my wife.

Read my interests in profile.

Edited August 30, 2014 by tentacle