Beginners Start Here! - Page 100

Efendy · #**1981** 19-07-2021, 08:42 PM

Hi Raymo,

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll definitely check out pack and send.
Is the reason for not placing fragile that they would try to damage it on purpose?

Cheers

raymo · #**1982** 19-07-2021, 10:16 PM

The people in my local post office told me, so that would seem to be the case.
raymo

Efendy · #**1983** 20-07-2021, 02:45 PM

That's interesting!
I'll see how I go but a bit nervous.

Thanks

Tyrone.Thomas (ASTRONOMER) · #**1984** 21-07-2021, 04:02 PM

Hello everyone I'm a new beginner I was wondering what would be some great telescopes to buy as a new beginner

raymo · #**1985** 21-07-2021, 08:07 PM

Need some info. Are you young/strong, old/weak, or somewhere in between?

What are your main intended targets, Moon, planets etc: faint deep sky
objects, bright deep sky objects?

Do you want to start on the path of astrophotography, or just take some basic snaps, or no photography at all?

Must gear be easily movable? What budget did you have in mind?
raymo

Allan_L (Allan) · #**1986** 22-07-2021, 07:47 AM

As per my previous post:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan_L

Hi Tyrone,
Welcome to IceInSpace

There are plenty of reviews in the beginners sections and in the Projects DIY reviews sections (left side column). There is one called General Principles for Choosing your first Telescope

But in general terms, the answer depends on many considerations.

Firstly how much money can you afford to invest? It may surprise you to find several hundred dollars may be the base line, for a good starter scope that may serve your interest for a few years.

At the same time you should ask yourself how sure am I that this is for me? If this is a dip your toe in the water idea, you may not want to commit to a big upfront investment.

A solution to these issues is to use other people's scopes first. This will help to see what you can see with what it will cost. See if there is an observing group around your location. Most amateur astronomers are more than happy to share their experiences and let you look through their scopes. Especially Ice In Space members.

If you want to come to the Central Coast, I am happy to help you see some different types of scopes.

Next, do you want to observe or photograph. If you are like most, the idea of sharing your views is enticing. But astrophotography increases the investment levels and associated auxiliary equipment exponentially once you progress past very basic levels. I soon dropped this idea, but it cost me, because I was initially sold a scope that allowed for this, but was not so suited for basic visual, which is all I do now.

The simple answer is (for visual beginners) is the Dobsonian. You can get a reasonable size DOB for around $500 new. (6" diameter full tube $449; 8" $649; etc). The DOB base allows easy setup and moves up/down left/right.
It is easy to use visually.

I recommend an alternate tube type that collapses, Easier to carry and store. But price goes up. (8" flex dob $849).

Then there is locating and tracking your object. Computerised Go-To Flex Dob 8" $1649).

So many other types to consider. Equatorial mounts add to cost but move in the same fashion as the stars, so are more suited to photographic endeavours, but can be a literal pain in the neck to use visually.

Schmidt Cassegrains are more compact but higher cost again but more versatile IMHO.

These are all "reflectors". Purists may recommend refractors.

And on it goes.

This is why I would recommend looking through other peoples scopes first and listening to their stories.

A final consideration is Where will you observe from. Light pollution in Sydney is not conducive in many cases, do you need a scope that will transport easily?

Have a look for Star Parties in the star parties forum.

Sorry for long post but there are many considerations for you to ponder. Don't waste your money on a super cheap "toy", we would like to help you.

Regards
Allan

mura_gadi (Steve) · #**1987** 22-07-2021, 08:26 AM

Hello and welcome,

Not so much as what telescope to recommend, but a link for understanding what you might be able to see with various scope apertures. Deals with "seeing" conditions, scopes under 12" and various planets/DSO visual aspects.

The article covers aperture and optics over various benefits of differing scope design.

Ultimately, next to your budget, I would place the weight/easy of use of the astro package as a whole next (Scope, mount, associated kit). Too heavy or complex and your reluctant to setup and break down, too light and you'll always wish you had bigger scope.

Steve
http://www.deepskywatch.com/Articles...telescope.html

RIX83 (Rick) · #**1988** 28-08-2021, 12:00 PM

Hi Guys n Gals.

been a lurker he for a few weeks now and just thought id introduce myself.
im Rick from Victoria.

Cheers

m11 (Mel) · #**1989** 28-08-2021, 12:16 PM

Welcome Rick to iceinspace.

Lionheart (Riyad) · #**1990** 28-08-2021, 07:15 PM

G'day folks,

Wanted to introduce myself.

I'm Riyad from Brisbane. Member of the Scenic Rim Astronomy Association. It's a neat little club for socialising and enjoying astronomy.

I started astronomy with a 4" Mak. When I graduated from my PhD I bought myself a big present (Esprit 120). Dabbled in it for a while but didn't get serious. Gone back now to a 5" mak which pleases my wife, kids and I: looking at planets/moon in our backyard. Good viewing from the Scenic Rim as well.

Gig60 (Gig) · #**1991** 14-09-2021, 05:08 PM

Hi all,

I'm a 61 year old beginner in this astronomy hobby. Its something I've always wanted to try so here I am. My telescope is a cheap Polaroid Reflector telescope 87x131x/262x bought from Aldi whilst on a shopping trip. Yes I know its not anywhere near as good as what you people use but thought to myself that if I don't buy it, I'll never get into this. Anyway I hope to learn from you guys and gals.

Take care

Gig

Lionheart (Riyad) · #**1992** 15-09-2021, 03:52 PM

Hey Gig60!

Welcome to the hobby.

You'll probably enjoy looking at the moon with your new telescope.

Be warned though, it gets addictive and you'll wanna buy more, bigger, and better!

redeye64 (Paul) · #**1993** 16-09-2021, 08:54 AM

Hi all
New here, l've dabbled a bit over the years, bought a 500/102 refractor 12 years ago largely for terrestrial use but also the occasional night viewing.
Recently bought a 8" dob which is getting me excited again - the 1st night seeing Saturn in all its glory was amazing. l'm in Currarong NSW

iborg (Philip) · #**1994** 16-09-2021, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gig60

Hi all,

I'm a 61 year old beginner in this astronomy hobby. Its something I've always wanted to try so here I am. My telescope is a cheap Polaroid Reflector telescope 87x131x/262x bought from Aldi whilst on a shopping trip. Yes I know its not anywhere near as good as what you people use but thought to myself that if I don't buy it, I'll never get into this. Anyway I hope to learn from you guys and gals.

Take care

Gig

Hi

I have looked through a National Geographic scope also from Aldi. The view was awful, BUT, it wasn't the scope so much as the nasty little eyepiece that it came with.

If you can, borrow a reasonable eyepiece and compare. Even if the set up you bought is poor, the view might be much better with a better eyepiece.

Good luck and enjoy!

Philip

Allan_L (Allan) · #**1995** 16-09-2021, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redeye64

Hi all
New here, l've dabbled a bit over the years, bought a 500/102 refractor 12 years ago largely for terrestrial use but also the occasional night viewing.
Recently bought a 8" dob which is getting me excited again - the 1st night seeing Saturn in all its glory was amazing. l'm in Currarong NSW

Hi Paul,
Welcome to IceInSpace

Feel free to ask questions and join the discussions.
There is lots of knowledge here and we love to share.

mura_gadi (Steve) · #**1996** 16-09-2021, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redeye64

Hi all
New here, l've dabbled a bit over the years, bought a 500/102 refractor 12 years ago largely for terrestrial use but also the occasional night viewing.
Recently bought a 8" dob which is getting me excited again - the 1st night seeing Saturn in all its glory was amazing. l'm in Currarong NSW

Nothing like Saturn at night live...

Start with Orion nebula and the jewel box, both are located in or near easy to recognised star patterns and are great for getting wow's.

There was a recent post for the brightest DSO's etc listed here recently. Gives you a good list to work through and you'll learn to locate a few objects from memory.

Or use the finder scope to slowly sweep the skies, check for objects that aren't like stars. If you can see an object at 8x50 as a fuzzy etc, using the 8" should show you a fine sight.

Steve
Ps. You have nice dark skies for a home location.

ChrisDecrow (Christopher) · #**1997** 16-09-2021, 10:40 PM

Hi everyone, my name is Christopher, I'm 31 y.o. beginner in this hobby. It's started since I got National Geographic 114/500 Compact from my old friend. So now I'm completely drowned into stargazing and now in my mind are only Messier objects. I hope I can find like-minded people here

MeliCelestron64 · #**1998** 19-10-2021, 06:30 PM

Greetings to all. I am currently a star gazer via my own eyes only. Wanting to see more though, I purchased a really big scope in the hope to see both faraway facsinating planets and local ships on the bay. I had a decent budget and thought I had done enough research to make my own selection. It had to be mobile, it had to show me awesome deep space and it had to be great for a beginners eye to peer into and zoom in on the waters below. Enter the Celestron..

I went from deliriously happy to stunned silence as my stupidity dawned on me. And subsequently found that I could not easily locate the monster (as gorgeous as it is!) I had in my lounge-room in any suitable place, and nor could it serve most of its purposes because the perspective of my property doesn't allow for the deep space view I wanted and nor can a deep space telescope transition to view a city and bay-scape. I knew nothing!

A friend of mine suggested that I join this community to see what I could learn about different telescopes and astronomy and to perhaps list my naive order as a swap or sell. Over to the sell area for details for anyone interested..

Looking forward to connecting with many of you and learning what I should have in the first place

Rod-AR127 (Rod) · #**1999** 19-10-2021, 07:23 PM

Hi again.
Was on this site a few years ago as Red_Dog, dropped out of the telescope scene for a while due to accidentally breaking my Bresser Messier AR127 I and also living in a very well lit suburb. Couldn't remember old username until l signed up again and found myself.

Now l have my own big backyard and when my new star diagonal arrives I'll have a functioning telescope again, sans finder scope which needs some fixing to the bracket.

Plan to get the SCP setup sorted, learn the basics of the night sky and build a home made pier as the OTA is maxing out my tripod.
Definately going to get out to some dark sites, I mostly have weekday RDO's and will be doing some camping.

Cheers, Rod.

cciss (Gordon) · #**2000** 30-11-2021, 04:17 PM

Hi all..
not much at introductions so...
New to astronomy, always loved to identify Venus at night, how it is always early and bright at sunset and to point out to friends that planets don't twinkle, Betelgeuse (in case it explodes) and the silent witness of the moon.
Had people show me telescope as a child but very difficult to learn back then and images were so so.

But during Covid I bought a small, old SCT and started to learn more.
I have to agree with redeye64, that first view of Saturn is a real hook.
Anyway have been researching and know the scope I want, so 5 posts before I can advertise for one.

p.s. a friend already gave me an old "Julius Sumner-Miller Memorial" 10" home-made dobson which I am restoring, (which I should share with him, lucky it's big).
If anyone has any info, can't find anything on Google.