Telescopes

GonzoAston

Hi everyone,

Unsure if this would be the correct place to post this? If not, im sorry.

I have recently moved from London (where you rarely see the night sky) to the countryside in Northumberland (where I cant believe how beautiful it is).

It has made me want to start looking up as it were. I am looking for a decent basic telescope to start off with, possibly looking to move to a better more advance one some time down the line, but to start off with I am happy just to go basic and start off.

Can anyone give any advice on buying one for around £50.00 (I know, low budget, just moved etc). Ive looked online and there are so many with mixed reviews.

Thanks in advance for any help :beer:

Elfbert

I would strongly suggest you buy a really good set of binoculars first! A very good way to learn the sky, and much cheaper than a 'scope.

Then try to find a local astronomy club and have a really good look at telescopes/talk to people. It's a great hobby, people will be willing to help you out!

Stooby2

If you do go down the telescope route, this isn't a bad start..

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/89832/Show.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA&utm_term=Heritage%2076%20Telescope&gclid=CNXZwpCiy70CFQkUwwodLR8Aaw

But it needs to be placed on something very solid as the slightest movement renders it useless.

I had one similar to that, but got fed up with it wobbling and bought something like this...

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/063535.htm?CMPID=GS001&_$ja=cgid:7915448807|tsid:41259|cid:162033287|lid:58862623127|nw:g|crid:27989279447|rnd:3115068947922906571|dvc:t|adp:1o1

Which was far better.

I'd second the advice about finding a local club - setting the telescope up properly is quite tricky at first and having someone who can show you helps greatly.

cootuk

I too would say get a decent pair of bins first so you can "learn" the night sky, plus a simple guide to the night sky...something that describes the best objects to see at different times of the year.

At £50, the only telescope I would consider would be
http://www.firstlightoptics.com/heritage/skywatcher-heritage-76-mini-dobsonian.html
It's basic.

If you can get to Kielder, that's a national "dark sky" type site where lots of astronomers regualrly have big meets. A good place to go along, try lots of different types, and talk to enthusiasts.

TrickyDicky101

I would swing by here:

http://stargazerslounge.com/

as there are a lot of friendly and knowledgeable people. ave you considered second hand? You could get a lot more bang for your buck rather than by buying new.

closed

question gets asked often, particularly at christmas, try a search.

P_McGoohan

Google have a handy Free Sky map app available in the Play Store, if your phone has a compass it shows you what you are looking at. (if that makes any sense.

REgarding scopes I'm still pondering and using binoculars ( although they are better suited to looking at greenfinches than little green men)

teleaddict

another thumbs up for http://stargazerslounge.com/ . Also if you're not to certain if star gazing will be for you, try looking at pre-owned equipment (do a search for uk astronomy buy&sell for example), you can get decent equipment for less ££££

Bollotom

If you get a pair of reasonably decent binoculars and prop a mirror so it points at the area you want to look at then use the binoculars to view into the mirror you'll be surprised at what you can see. Then if you get bitten you can get advice from your local astronomical society before spending loads on a telescope.

Mr_Toad

Cheap telescopes are very much a double edged sword. On the one hand most are so bad that they'll put you off for ever.

Those that don't put off are usually just bad enough to make you wish you'd waited until you can afford something better.

As already said, a decent pair of binoculars is a great start as is finding a local club who will let you look through a good selection of different scopes at different price points so you'll get a good idea of what you're up against.

I've got one of these;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meade-8-LX200-R-ACF-GPS-Autostar-Goto-PC-Controlled-SCT-Telescope-/301119396504?pt=UK_Photography_Telescopes&hash=item461c1d5a98

It's a great scope but yes, I do wish I had something even bigger!

It's easy to get hooked and it can be expensive but it doesn't need to be if you're careful.

I mix my astronomy with my computing hobby and have the scope set up outside with a camera eyepiece so I can control and see through the scope from my computer. :cool:

stevemcol

Plus 1 for binocs, to start with. Then a better scope if you get hooked. Even low power cheapish binocs will let you see the moons of jupiter with ease, possibly even make out the stripe detail. Perhaps rings round saturn. Really good moon viewing and in good dark condtions the odd galaxy. Not the best time of year to start though!
In terms of expectations, a star will always look like a star, even with a powerful scope. You'll just see more of them!