New educational website

[Cheap Astronomy]

Hi,

I publish Cheap Astronomy (http://www.cheapastro.com) - and welcome all comments and feedback. No ads, no merchandise for sale - just good science.

Mr Administrator, if you are going to delete my thread, can you please direct me to the relevant regulation. I am struggling to think of others ways to communicate the concept of not-for-profit.

Thanks,

Steve

[iceman]

Steve, your previous thread (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=36473) was not deleted.

[TrevorW]

Great idea plenty of opportunities for suggestions as most of the members on this site would have started on the cheap

My second meaning of life post

:thumbsup:

[spacezebra]

Hi Steve

I disagree with a statement on the website, which states..

"For under $300, you won’t:

· Make a significant contribution to astronomical research (unless you are absurdly lucky); or..."

Are you aware that a great deal of people undertake variable star observations with binos. And they do not need to be expensive.

Also consider that some people rent / borrow equipment from astronomical societies.

Cheers Petra

[mcross]

Hi Steve,

Like the idea! Still having some problems on the Mac - links down the left hand side of the page are not working for me in Safari.

Mark :thumbsup:

[Cheap Astronomy]

Hi Mike - sorry my usage stats lead me to a dead link and I naturally jumped to conspiracy theory mode. Thank you for maintaining my thread/s.

Hi Trevor - I am pleased to have been a part of your second meaning of life post, though I now understand how Buzz Aldrin felt.

Hi Petra - Give me a reference for this research work and I will link to it (and eat my words). Yes, I have experience in hiring gear for astronomical societies. I think this generally works well for other folks, although my own experience resulted in my buying my first telescope (which was relatively inexpensive).

Hi Mark - Oh no. This is bad, I need all the visitors I can get. What should I do?

Thanks all,

Steve

Cheap Astronomy
Explore the universe on shoestring
www.cheapastro.com (http://www.cheapastro.com)

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Steve I've had a good browse of your site and I like what you're doing and the way you're doing it. Good stuff, keep up the good work.
:thumbsup:

When reading the section on finder scopes I immediately thought there should be some kind of mention of the usefulness (and comparative cheapness) of red dot finders in lieu of finder scopes. Plus they are MUCH easier to align than a finderscope.

Could be worth adding in maybe?

Look forward to revisiting the site, and passing the link on to others.

Steve

[seeker372011]

oh yes you can do astrophotography under $300

it just wont look as great as the results when someone spends $30000

ETX 70

second hand

eg from

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=458929

plus a DSI imager

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=588636

oh I know its US $ but one day our dollar will move back up ;)

or just use a modded webcam -should be available fairly cheap these days

for ETX images see

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k282/n_mukkavilli/Messier%20Objects%20with%20an%20ETX %2070/

or for ETX70 images with a webcam

http://www.freewebs.com/seeker372011/
I couldnt find an Orion Deep Space Imager I on astromart but they should show up from time to time

[Cheap Astronomy]

Hi Narayan,

Well, it's $300 after you've bought your scope - and maybe binoculars. I'm skeptical you would come in under the wire with any of this gear when shipping costs are included. And I would never encourage a new starter to try their hand at the 2nd hand market. Still your suggestion has merit - thanks.

Hi Steve.

Interesting thought and plausibly cheap - probably $50 with shipping (York). I'll get the research team onto it.

Steve

[spacezebra]

Hi Steve

You have not mentioned that you can buy telescope kits for under $300. Our society orders 5" club scope kits for members that they can then make themselves. Under $200 dollars for members will get you started.

Regardless of your experience - you need to state the facts that you can hire equipment from societies - there is no pressure to buy.

The AAVSO lists the basic equipment for Variable Star Work http://www.aavso.org/publications/manual/chapter1.shtml

"Binoculars — For beginning and experienced observers alike, binoculars are an excellent variable star observing tool. They are portable, easy to use, and provide a relatively large field of view, making it easier to locate the variable star field. Much can be done with a pair of good quality binoculars. Handheld 7x50's or 10x50's are the most generally useful for variable star observing. Higher magnification binoculars also work fine, but will usually require a mount."

you can buy a pair of 7x50's for under $300. Note: your own site states the following:

"The cheap essentials
A pair of 7x50mm binoculars are considered standard for hand-held binocular astronomy. A very acceptable pair can be purchased for under $100 from an astronomy supplier – which ensures they are designed with astronomy in mind."


Start eating!

Cheers Petra d.

[Cheap Astronomy]

Hi Petra,

Thanks for the cool binocular link - yum! I will add it on soon.

I think astronomical societies can manage their own marketing. I am keen to tell people you can buy a cheap scope in a shop and be looking through it that same evening.

My binoculars cost $75 and my scope cost $130 (see here (http://www.cheapastro.com/index_files/Page438.htm)). I used the balance to buy a zoom lens and join the Planetary Society.

Steve

Cheap Astronomy
Explore the universe on shoestring
www.cheapastro.com (http://www.cheapastro.com/)

[spacezebra]

Hi Steve

The concern that I have is that you are marketing this site as a "New Educational Site", but then limit the range of the information that your are prepared to post.

Just to clarify, I am not marketing "societies" just pointing out that there are geniune options that individuals can explore for under $300. You dont have to have a "store" purchased scope. If you are dedicated to assisting individuals in less expensive astronomical options then you should list all options available. I can contact a society and be looking through a scope that evening.

The link that I have posted is for the AAVSO - not a "binocular link". It is a respected and highly regarded organisation dedicated to serious research. I am not sure why there is a reference to "yum" in your post.

Just a few thoughts for consideration.
Cheers
Petra d.