Any telescope owners here?

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

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Joined
3 Jan 2009
Posts
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If so:

What telescope do you own?
How much did it cost you?
How much can you see with it? (pics would be great, if you've got any)

I was just wondering if it's possible to see anything interesting in the night sky with a home telescope.
 
Have a peep at the BBCs Sky at Night magazine, I'm sure it's this month they have reviews of beginners scopes and what the different types do.

I'm in the same position as yourself...I was using binoculars the other night and managed to see several of Jupiters moons, I was rather chuffed.

Now I'd really like to be able to see Jupiter hanging there with the cloud detail etc., seeing Saturn would be great as well!


*Edit* I've just seen your location...whatever you get make sure it's portable as there is no way you'll be able to see much from Croydon, far too much light pollution! :eek:
 
I've got one its a 120mm refractor, its pretty good, rings of saturn are very clear. Havent used it for 2 years but it up last week and its rained since...
 
Try this free software - Stellarium

It's absolutely brilliant and will show you all the constellations etc., but for you right now the best feature will be the light pollution guide.

Go outside and look at the sky on a clear night, set the software to your location and change the light pollution figure until the software matches what you can see outside, that will show you what can be seen on a clear night in your area, and more importantly what you are missing.

That should help you decide whether a telescope is worth the money or not.
 
Dangermouse01 said:
Best forum for scope advice http://stargazerslounge.com/
and best place to buy http://firstlightoptics.com/
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest the above forum as a great forum and retailer. I have a Skywatcher 130P Syncscan Alt Az goto telescope (5" reflector). Also I have a Toucam Pro II webcam which I have taken shots of Jupiter with. It is a nice scope with a goto and is around £250 I think now at First light optics, who are great.

Here is a link to my album with my scope and some pics of jupiter and it's moon:

MY Astronomy Pics

Anthony
 
That's incredible. I'm surpised by just how much you can see with a £250 telescope. Was any definition lost by the webcam?

Was there a lot of light pollution where you took those photos? Were you in the city or at a more rural location?
 
TheBigCheese said:
Try this free software - Stellarium

It's absolutely brilliant and will show you all the constellations etc., but for you right now the best feature will be the light pollution guide.

Go outside and look at the sky on a clear night, set the software to your location and change the light pollution figure until the software matches what you can see outside, that will show you what can be seen on a clear night in your area, and more importantly what you are missing.

That should help you decide whether a telescope is worth the money or not.
Click to expand...

Just downloaded this myself... pretty good piece of software :)
 
Get youself a cheap set of 10x50 binoculars and a star chart and go have look around. The light pollution doesn't affect that much when your starting out (as I am). Was looking at Cassiopia on Monday night when it was clear and you really notice the difference with the bins.
 
Hey, no defination was not lost with the webcam. Actually because a camera sees more than the human eye, and you record the view as a 100 sec avi file, using software to take each from in the avi and merge you will see much more detail than at the eyepiece. dont fall for the images you see in mags or on the net these are all images.

I have quite a few streets lights, but luckily I am near a mountain so the light pollution is not heavy like a city or similar area, but still not dead dark. I have seen some double stars and deep sky objects, like the M45 star cluster and M32, lovely views with that scope. Hope this helps.
 
Dangermouse01 said:
Best forum for scope advice http://stargazerslounge.com/
and best place to buy http://firstlightoptics.com/
Click to expand...

Guess my username on there ;)

Excellent etailer, ring them up, they wpuld be happy to recommend a beginners scope.

I personally have 2 scopes. A Celestron 80mm refractor (Portable grab'n'go - 1 trip easy set-up) and a Skywatcher 200p, which takes 4 tripes to get all the gear to the car! And takes quite a bit longer to set up.

You have the best time of year for an excellent hobby!

Find your local Astronomical Society and go along, most have open nights where you can go, chat, and have a look through others scopes. Most Astronomers are very friendly and love showing you around the sky. Just be aware to take a red light torch as white light kills your night vision!
 
I have a 4K 10" Meade LX200R GPS SMT sitting in my workshop waiting for a perm mount. Stunning scope, awesome for astrophotography.

Saying that you can get decent photos of Jupiter with a £140 Celestron :-)
 
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