Hello there

[flipper]

Hi!

I'm extremely new to astronomy, been cutting my teeth as it were on Bad Astronomy blog and Astronomy Cast. I'm keen to buy my first telescope, although I really don't have a budget to be spending on it. I've been thinking of getting a Galileoscope, but from what I've been reading about it, I may as well get myself a cheap telescope somewhere local. (Dick Smith's $60 Star Tracker for instance)

I honestly have no idea where to start, I've never used a telescope before so I don't know what is best to begin with.

[Roobi]

Hey there flipper. Its an awesome hobby to get into, I've been at it for about a year and a half ad i'm loving every second. this is a great site for any info you need along your journey too. make sure you check out the beginners talk area and the forum on how to choose your first scope:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=5953

You'll definatly be steered away from the tiny cheapie scopes, and i would also advise you to watch out for dick smiths, there prices are quite high compared to others. for myself, i started out with the celestron astromaster 130 eq, and even though it was still a smallish 5" scope, It was fanastic for me to begin with. Maybe you could try some binoculars as most will tell you is the best way to start out, but for myself i really wanted a scope. You can always upgrade later once you know a little more.
Lastly you should check out a program like stellarium, free to download. It will show you what you can see in the sky from where you are, at your time. Stellarium has helped me learn so much. You'll be amazed at what you can see and it will help you to pick out some good things to look for when you have you scope or binoculars.


cheers

[flipper]

Thanks for all the tips Roobi. I am indeed familiar with Stellarium (bookmarked it a year ago, but finally got around to downloading it the other day. Am enjoying using it quite a lot), and will check out the telescopes you suggested.

[erick]

Hi flipper

Keep your eye on the second hand goods for sale - down below. Lots of good opportunities to buy a good scope for maybe as low as 50% of new price, certainly 75% is easily achieved.

Eric

[WestAusChris]

Hey Flipper

I am in the same boat as you (new to astronomy) and you have certainly joined the right forum to get tips and advice, the guys and girls here have been extremely helpful to me.

As said above you should steer clear of Dick Smith or Kmart scopes, after my research into what to buy first everyone pretty much says to say away from them, below is a link to look at.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=63,260,0,0,1,0 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/../index.php?id=63,260,0,0,1,0)

I started out a couple of months ago with binoculars and alot here say its a great way to first start off as its easier to move around the sky trying to pick out objects, I got learn about where planets etc were and finally got to see Jupiter and 3 of its moons with binoculars.

I am just about to upgrade that little further and just bought a 6" Skywatcher Dobsonian telescope from OzScopes and it cost me $405 which included postage. (arriving hopefully this week)

I have heard alot of people here talk about the Dob's so that is why i went that route and from what i have read a 6" - 8" Dobsonian is a great way to start out aswell.

If you can hold off a week or so then i can tell you what i think of the 6" once it arrives as both of us seem to be quite new to it all :)

[Roobi]

Thats awesome Chris. You'll be amazed at what you can see through your scope. When i first got my 5" i literally jumped up and down at the views of saturn and jupiter, not to mention the moon. They'll blow you away. then as you get better at spotting stuff, its so thrilling when you find a nice cluster or nebula. My first was orion, and i still often find myself going back to it when i have trouble finding things.
Good luck and clear skies.