3 things I must have

[oggie doggie]

I am new to astronomy and have just purchased a second hand 8" DOB which I am having great fun with.

After reading many posts on this forum I have concluded that I need the following:
a) Telrad
b) Barlow
c) Crayford

I just have one question to the experts before I spend my hard earned on these 3 items.

What are they and what do they do?:shrug:

[ving]

I'd have said:

1: a comfy height adjustable chair
2: pizza
3: beer...

but...
a) zero mag finder
b) increases magnification in conjuction with any given eyepiece
c) a type of focuser that operates smoothly.

[snug]

Hi oggie

Ive only just bought my 8" and they were the three things i bought straight up & im happy i did..though with the few nights ive had out with my scope..i'd have to agree with Ving...a comfy height adjustable chair is next on my list..they should be madatory...

Snug

[snug]

On second thoughts i probably would of put the Barlow off and bought the chair straight up...

[oggie doggie]

Thanks Ving. A chair is something I have been looking for but unable to locate.
Is there a special astronomy chair I should look for?
Beer! Not when its zero outside at night. I'll save that for the cloudy nights watching the footy. :lol:

Excuse my ignorance but what is a zero mag finder? I assume mag = magnitude.

Thanks

[erick]

Hi od (lurking no more, I see!)

I'm presuming that you already have your red light torch and a planisphere and a subscription to a suitable magazine and a copy of a Southern Sky Guide (or perhaps Astronomy 2007 - should be a good discount, half the year having gone!)

Yes, there are "proper" observing chairs, but they are expensive:-

$177 for this:- https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Images/Stock/7201.jpg

Find an old gaslift office chair, rip the back off it, maybe knock the wheels off if you have to observe from mud/dirt - that will get you started! A cushion for extra height, if needed for zenith viewing!

Telrad and other versions - yes they are a no magnification finder. It allows you to sight an object looking through a view that's open to the sky. A red dot (and/or maybe some circles) is projected onto the view so you can line up your scope on the target. Most people usually use them to get roughly to the object of interest, then go to a finderscope to more finely direct the scope - or straight to a low power eyepiece in the scope.

Yes, put the barlow on an early list of purchases
.

Eric :)

[erick]

ps. perhaps you already have a crayford-style focusser rather than a rack and pinion-style - post a photo and we'll tell you. Even if you have a R&P - that will work for now.

[oggie doggie]

Thanks Erick. I am getting a red light torch today. I have been using Stellarium to navigate my way around which has been great for a beginner (And its free).

Attached is a pic of my scope. I don't think its a crayford.

Thanks again.

[KG8]

1/good Star Charts
2/Red Lamp
3/Comfy chair

All the gadgets in the world won't help if you can't find things to look at :thumbsup:
I bought the sky atlas 2000 but I think a better choice would have been the smaller Cambridge StarAtlas. It's under half the price and you don't need a dining room table to spread it out on.

PS: If it were me I wouldn't be in a hurry to grab the telrad. Their great but they take some of the fun out of the experience I reckon. I have a nice Williams optics red dot finder mounted on a small 4" scope I rarely use. On my 11" I use the factory finder scope and have never even considered swapping the red dot finder across. No challenge in it and useless for small fuzzy things.

[erick]

Yep, it's a R&P. I've never had one. I'm told you should be careful not to pick up any grease in case you transfer it to an eyepiece glass.

I think the Bintel Crayfords directly replace this R&P (search for threads here on focusser replacement). Buy the 10:1 for only some $20 more, that gives you fine focus. But, as I said, unless this one is wobbling all around the place and cannot be tightened, perhaps spend your money elsewhere for a while.

You cannot always have your computer handy? Recommend that you spend $20-25 on a Planisphere - unless you have memorised the sky!

[janoskiss]

OD, Just one peice of advice: get a Rigel Quickfinder instead of a Telrad. I have both as well as an 8" Dob. The Rigel is much better suited to this scope due to its smaller footprint. Might want to pair it up with a right angle 8x50 finder to replace your straight thru 8x50.

[wavelandscott]

As noted before I agree with the above...I would only add that you should use that scope as often and as long as possible...

Get some time under the stars and you will be good to go...

Clear Skies!

[jjjnettie]

A pair of binoculars is a good investment. You'd be suprised at how often you use them.
10x50's is a good size.

[oggie doggie]

Thanks for all the advice astro people.
Now that I know what a barlow, telrad and crayford actually are I have decided I can do without the Telrad and Crayford at this stage.
I will look at purchasing these items when the minister of finance releases more funds my way.:lol:

I will get a 2 x bintel barlow for now and a comfie chair.

Thanks again.

[astro_nutt]

Hi Oggie and welcome...As you would probably find out sooner or later..but your scope's mirrors will need to be collimated..(optically aligned) so as to have the best possible image..(put aside about $80 bucks for a collimation tool such as a cheshire crosshair and check out a few sites on collimation)..plus you will see items that mention washing the primary mirror..(don't bother with this for at least a year..dust on the primary mirror won't affect the image even though it looks terrible when you shine a torch on it!!)
So for the time being..enjoy what the night sky has to offer!
Cheers!

[KG8]

I have a few gaslift chairs around the house now, they are great for everything, including working on motorcycles. I regularly scope out the local RSPCA shop and every other week new ones come in. They sell them for $20 or less.

[rmcpb]

If you only have a scope and nothing else then consider a chair, red torch, planisphere, binos, star chart, cheshire eyepiece (essential) and lots of tea or coffee.

The main thing is to get in lots of hours of viewing then make a considered choice of accessories that suit YOUR needs.

Just get comfy and enjoy your scope as it is :)

[JimmyH155]

I was horrified recently to find that the stellar chair was $199. and made in China. So...I knocked up one from a few scraps and a little steel step ladder that I have. :D I simply cut up a piece of scrap 1 inch ply to fit on top of the third stair tread, then I drilled a 12mm hole on the back of the ply and got an "S" shaped piece of steel rod (the type you get for hanging baskets), hooked it round one of the horizontal bars on the back of the step ladder, and pushed it through the 12mm hole in the ply. Hey presto - I sat on it and it worked. Good stability too. For height adjustment I use a discarded home made wooden chopping board (30mm thick - suitably cut to size ) - and a childs life jacket on top of that for a bit of comfort. Apart from the step ladder (which was I think about $30 from Bunnings) $4 for the steel rod was trhe cost. My wife did not think it would be a good idea to post a picture of the contraption as too many of youse good people might become hysterical with laughter and do yourselves an injury.:lol: :lol: Just think of the money you could save though........

[ballaratdragons]

Bwahahaha! You don't know what they are, but you are going to buy them.

In that case, you'll also need a Snargleblaster, a Mid-ranged elphonometer, a quarter staffed umbilico emangulator, and 2 or 3 packets of Prism elongators!

I can supply you with these very imortant 'must have' items for, . . . hmmm . . let's say . . $150 each plus postage :D

:lol:

[oggie doggie]

Sorry to inconvenience you with such stupidity Ballarat. Unlike you I was not born with an intimate knowledge of all things to do with astronomy and have to start at the bottom, a thing us mortals have to do from time to time.

I could have sworn the thread read "Beginners start here". My mistake. I'm off to get the eyes checked right now!

[taminga16]

Here is Peter's address, check Observers Chair, he now includes plans.

GREG.




http://www.apstas.com/astrotas/Sayers/Sayers.html

[ballaratdragons]

:lol: Don't feel befuddled by the Terminology and name of accessories. I'm still confused by heaps of the names of bits and pieces involved in this hobby too.

The further one goes into this hobby, the more one gets confused by even more gear! :P

Enjoy your time Astronomising :thumbsup:

[taminga16]

Ken, It seems as though you may have blown any chance of a cup of tea and a piece of cake the next time you visit Launceston.

[ballaratdragons]

:sadeyes: I think I got taken the wrong way.

I'll start again -

Hi Oggie, and welcome. :hi: Enjoy this great hobby :)

[taminga16]

It takes a big man, or a bloke with a funny beard to say when he is wrong.

Greg.

P.S. Have you had a chance to look at Peter's chair, I had one built earlier in the year and it has been brilliant. (timber and I do not get on under fine tolerances). Greg.

[ballaratdragons]

Hi Oggie Doggie, sorry if I offended you. I think what I was trying to say came out wrong. :doh:
Difficult on the internet to say things in friendly humour without the possibility of sounding condescending.

I'm weally a nice person . . . :hi:

[Popeye]

Oggie Doggie there is a group in Lonnie who would be happy to help you. Contact the Astronomical Society of Tasmania for a contact. Or, and I forget how to do this, ask Mike to pass on a message to me and I will get one of the folk to call you, if you like.
And welcome to astronomy in Tassie where the skies are always bright and clear. Oooops just had to dodge another lightning bolt! :lol:
Cheers! :welcome:
Popeye

[oggie doggie]

It's all good Ballarat......Sorry for misunderstanding you. I should have known better.

[oggie doggie]

Thanks for the offer Popeye. I have met with a few of the local astronomers and got some great information and advice.

[Popeye]

Good to hear that you have made contact. I hope that you have contacted friends of mine. Just mention Bert from St Helens and they will confirm it.
Cheers!
Bert

[radu5er]

Good Day and welcome to IIS oggie :welcome:

My own personnal 'must have three' are:

1. red flashlight
2.planisphere
3. starchart book

And I recon a good observation chair is next on the list.

...but I'm still using binoculars here so you are ahead of me in the telescope department.

Oh, and by the way, Ken really is a good bloke :lol:

[Glenhuon]

At the moment the 3 things I most want are:
No Rain
No clouds
The new mounting rings for my 150 'scope
:)

[mill]

The 3 things i want is:
1: rain in the catchment areas
2: no rain here
3: no clouds here