Hi Folks,
This is my very first thread.
I am, as many of you are, busy enough in my income earning profession to have few hours to spare for a fascinating hobby like astronomy. However, the hobby has captured me enough to want to spend a few extra bucks. I purchased six months or so ago a pair of binoculars Andrews 20x80s, which have enabled much 'backyard astronomy". I expect that due to family and work I will spend the vast majority of my time in my backyard with this hobby.
I am not particularly drawn to one aspect of astronomy or another, it all seems so exciting that I cannot narrow down my interests to DSO's, binaries, or doubles, or solar events, or planetary pehonomena alone. I want to wander freely on the pastures to see where my learnings take me. I think this path of "general" interest will carry me for a decade before I narrow down to one area alone, and perhaps this is reasonable.
I now yearn for better viewings from my backyard, but am not certain if I want to photograph it, and I am worried that if I don't buy a very big scope that I will not be able to play with photography.
I also want to be cost effective with this purchase.
I am advised that a DOBSONIAN is a great Noob's scope in astronomy, as it will give you the aperture for fine viewing at an affordable, or "cost effective" price tag. I would happily afford the 6 - 12 inch DOBS. Though serious photography is not done with these. They are also limited in their GOTO accesorisations, noting that some newer GOTO DOBS are on the market.
I was advised that the SCT's were a good buy.
I have seen the Celestron Nexstar 6SE thru to 8SE"s and prices range from $1600 to $2500.
I suspect that whichever way I go, a whole bunch of accessories are going to be made essential to make the purchase complete, to the tune of about a few hundred bucks on top of the scope purchase. I suspect these will include eh eye pieces which I will be told dont come with the scope.
for a hobbyist who is uncertain for how many decades he will continue this passion, which is the better direction to start with? Should I expect that I will evolve from one scope to another purchase and that this first scope will be a stepping stone?? Or should I buy the BEST that I can, noting that this is a hobby.
I am looking at purchasing from Bintel or Andrews in Sydney.
I suppose I am looking for wisdom rather than a clear answer here.
I wish all of you a healthy and content New Year!
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/....es/family1.gif
Thanking you in advance.
Murat