Any astronomers in the observatory?

My boy wants a telescope for christmas... Which works out nice, because I want a telescope for christmas too....

 

Anybody know what I should look for in features, price range, how do you know what the fcuk youre looking at or where to point the damned thing? etc... Speak to me like a child... I have ZERO idea of how or where to start.

I would like to know too. I just pulled my dads telescope out of storage and have ZERO idea how to work the damn thing.

Best bet is to go to a really reputable camera store (think lenses) and see what they recommend. Not sure of your price range, but like anything it can range from a few hundred to big money. Just depends on how serious you want to get - Simple star watching or a rival your local observatory...

 

Maybe AMP3188 can chime in, I know he likes to play Galileo outside.

I took a couple Astronomy classes for shits and giggles in college, but you can find diagrams online for where the different constellations are at different times of the year. Depending how far out the telescope's range is, you pretty much just move it around until you find something. I dont' really think you'll know where/what you're looking at unless you have a very sophisticated telescope that shows azimuth and exact direction you're pointing as well as your lat and longs. I used to be in the satellite world as well so you'll be able to spot some of those too

I took a couple Astronomy classes for shits and giggles in college, but you can find diagrams online for where the different constellations are at different times of the year. Depending how far out the telescope's range is, you pretty much just move it around until you find something. I dont' really think you'll know where/what you're looking at unless you have a very sophisticated telescope that shows azimuth and exact direction you're pointing as well as your lat and longs. I used to be in the satellite world as well so you'll be able to spot some of those too

 

 

 

You point the thing up and say "cool" ... online you should be able to find people tracking certain planets and stars and use their numbers to see things.

 

Just a word of warning - don't expect too much. When I saw saturn in college through their expensive telescope at its closest it still looked like a dot with a barely visible ring. I'd just look at the moon for awhile at first.

 

You point the thing up and say "cool" ... online you should be able to find people tracking certain planets and stars and use their numbers to see things.

 

Just a word of warning - don't expect too much. When I saw saturn in college through their expensive telescope at its closest it still looked like a dot with a barely visible ring. I'd just look at the moon for awhile at first.

 

It's sorta cool but then you realize how far away it really is - and how being able to see it with your eyes, (through lenses even), is quite impressive. Especially considering how young the telescope is in relative terms.

I normally point it at a nearby highrise and cross my fingers I don't get an eyeful of dong.

I'm no expert, but I do enjoy playing Galileo.

 

Big question here is what price range are you considering? Keep in mind, just like with cars and all other instruments, the more you spend the better quality you will get.

 

I've got a Meade telescope and really like their products overall. http://meade.com/

 

Again, don't know your price point right now, but if you are looking to just start out or not get too crazy with it this is a great option:

 

http://www.shopatron.com/products/productd...926.36859.0.0.0?

 

I've got an old version of the EXT and its great. The new ones have all of the electronic and computer aids which I would LOVE to have on mine. Make sure you get a couple different eyepieces for it as well. The EXT telescopes are easily portable as well, which is a plus if you plan on taking it out to any camping trips away from the city (highly recommended).

 

If your looking for something that isn't your average telescope you could check this out:

 

http://www.meade.com/product_pages/coronado/coronado.php

 

That bad boy lets you look at the sun. I've never tried it so I can't say how well it works, but I'm interested in it myself.

 

 

 

 

One very important thing to keep in mind is to make sure that you get a good case to protect your telescope and a very good tripod. These are heavier items and your average SLR tripod may not be able to hold a telescope.

Astronomy for beginners, great site. Wonderful ideas and budget suggestions:

 

http://www.astronomyforbeginners.com/

I had a refracting telescope for a while and the one thing that surprised me more than anything was that you hardly get any time to look at your celestial object before it's moved out of view....

 

I think you can get telescopes with motors that track objects in the sky for not too much £££ and I would suggest that is the way forward.

 

You point the thing up and say "cool" ... online you should be able to find people tracking certain planets and stars and use their numbers to see things.

 

Just a word of warning - don't expect too much. When I saw saturn in college through their expensive telescope at its closest it still looked like a dot with a barely visible ring. I'd just look at the moon for awhile at first.

 

What about all those neautiful photos we see of the planets & galaxies!! Their majestic beauty is what me enjoy my astronomy classes so much!!

What about all those neautiful photos we see of the planets & galaxies!! Their majestic beauty is what me enjoy my astronomy classes so much!!

 

I don't understand your point.

 

This is what you will see:

 

 

IF you are lucky. What I saw was even smaller, on the best day of the year or decade, whatever it was... I love cosmos like I said id be looking at stuff thats close like the moon! (and like our LP member who had a penthouse with a view to the casino pool )

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think Id like to keep it under $500... Is that a stretch? (Yeah... I know... I pay twice that for a good rifle scope... But those do stuff!)

 

Im mostly into Planets and ManMade shit we put up there.

 

What about this?

 

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=1-599-2-79-16640

Been watching the pawn shows a lot lately, why not do all your research and then go buy one at a pawn shop for half price? Who knows, you may even walk out buying a gun or two

I don't understand your point.

 

This is what you will see:

 

 

IF you are lucky. What I saw was even smaller, on the best day of the year or decade, whatever it was... I love cosmos like I said id be looking at stuff thats close like the moon! (and like our LP member who had a penthouse with a view to the casino pool )

 

 

 

 

 

THIS is what I'm talking about!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't understand your point.

 

This is what you will see:

 

IF you are lucky. What I saw was even smaller, on the best day of the year or decade, whatever it was... I love cosmos like I said id be looking at stuff thats close like the moon! (and like our LP member who had a penthouse with a view to the casino pool )

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I remember going out to the desert years ago with a group that had huge 24"-inch+ telescopes they towed with them on trailers, and I thought "fcuk yeah, I'm going to be counting craters on Saturn baby!"

 

Then they take hours getting all their shit set up, we wait until past midnight, and I get my first look and it looks just like your picture Rawr.

 

I CAME ALL THE WAY OUT HERE FOR THIS???????????????????????????

 

:lol2:

THIS is what I'm talking about!!!!

 

 

 

 

That type of stuff is only visible with special telescopes that show gases in different colors and/or temperatures in different colors. You wont be seeing that sort of stuff with personal telescopes I m pretty sure. Very cool none-the-less.

That type of stuff is only visible with special telescopes that show gases in different colors and/or temperatures in different colors. You wont be seeing that sort of stuff with personal telescopes I m pretty sure. Very cool none-the-less.

 

dont those same telescopes also travel around out in space? Like the Hubble?

dont those same telescopes also travel around out in space? Like the Hubble?

I think you are right.

i know enough to not try and find Uranus......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i know enough to not try and find Uranus......

 

Ive been waiting two days for this.

 

Will I be able to see uranus with a telescope?

I think you are right.

 

 

Lol yep!! That would be some pretty expensive personal space watching

Ive been waiting two days for this.

 

Will I be able to see uranus with a telescope?

 

I hope not!

I just saw this write up on how the earth had two moons at one time and thought it was fitting to post it here.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/earth-had-two-moons-...-170201124.html

 

It really makes sense if you have ever looked closely at the moon through a telescope.

 

I have a very inexpensive telescope, I believe it is made by telasco and you can see the moon pretty good with it.

 

 

 

I would just try and aim for a reflecting telescope instead of a refracting which should still be possible within that budget. The extra money will get you a nice tripod and mounts though which can make it all a bit easier to use.