Newb :)

[chich0]

Hey Guys,

New here and new to Astronomy, Haven't obtained any equipment yet.

I sort of understand what types of telescopes there are and will probably look into the refelector type.

Just wondering, will i need an additional controller? Or is there a good beginner one, with a decent aperture that comes with a controller and tripod?

I am happy to spend anywhere up to about $600.

Please post some links i may find interesting also... not only about equipment but anything :)

Thanks!

[vanwonky]

Welcome Chris. I am a relative newbie so I won't offer too much advice although straight up I can tell you a more descriptive title for your post will get more responses ;)

If you are not doing astrophotography then it seems a dobsonian is the preferred choice as I have ended up with.

Try having a look at Andrews Communication as one choice for your dollars:

Guan Sheng GS-880 10" ASDX, 250mm x 1250mm, NEW Adjustable Super Deluxe (ASDX) heavy-duty 10" Dob! $649.00 AUD

And definitely read the articles (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=5953) about scope choices in the newbie section.

Cheers
Dave

[chich0]

Thanks for the reply Dave!

I titled it newb as i know i will have a few questions :lol:

Is there any book, or website that you guys can also recommend that shows me what I am looking at when i look up at the sky at night?

Or something that can teach me how to read where i may find things?

[vanwonky]

Get yourself a star disc - http://www.ozscopes.com.au/star-disc-planisphere.html, a comfy chair you can lay right back in (or a blanket on the ground) and get to it.:thumbsup:

[vanwonky]

Woah - don't forget Stellarium (http://www.stellarium.org/) for your computer. Free and amazing.

Or Starwalk (http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/star-walk-for-ipad-interactive/id363486802?mt=8) for the iPAD.

Or Google SkyMap (http://www.google.com/mobile/skymap/) for your android phone - free.

Over and out!

[chich0]

Thanks for that :)

What are you guys opinions on the computerized telescopes?

[chich0]

Let me clarify the below post..

What i meant was, the motor drive, is it wroth it on a dob?

Also can these "GoTo" systems be attached and are they really worth it?

[Forgey]

Hi Chris,
Welcome, i'm new too. When i started looking around for a telescope i was originally going to get a Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Computerized Reflector Telescope because it had the goto and tracking. But i soon changed my mind and ended up getting a GSO 10" f/5 Dobsonian for the bigger aperture, ive only managed to use it a couple of times due to crappy melbourne weather but i wouldn't have gone anything smaller.

[chich0]

Hey paula, thanks for the reply.

I am thinking about getting the same one.

I will also be suffering fr ok m crappy weather lol.

the only difference between the motor drive and dob is that I would manually have to move the telescope due to earths rotation? I am not thinking about photography at all yet so I dont think the motor drive thing is a nessecity for me anyway.

From a noob point of view, how do you find using it? And how much does it weigh roughly? :)

[Forgey]

I find it really easy to use once i get the object in the FOV, im getting the hang of nudging the scope with earths rotation.
Hubby helps me move the scope as it weighs about 25kg but it can be moved in 2 pieces.

[chich0]

ok cool,

Thanks!

[chich0]

Hey guys,

This is also another option to the GSO that i have found:

Bintel BT252-B 10" Dobsonian

- 15mm and 9mm Fully Multi-coated Plossl Eyepieces (1.25"), 26mm Wide View Eyepiece (2")
- Moon filter
- 8x50 Correct Image Right Angle Finderscope
- Mirror cooling fan
- Base carry handle and Snap-on dust cap.

Specifications:
- Aperture: 254mm
- Focal length (f/#): 1250mm (f/5)
- Limiting magnitude: 14.5
- Weight: OTA 16kg, Base 14kg

This one i can pick up instead of getting posted to me..

[Visionoz]

FWIW most of Bintel-branded Dobs are actually GSO private-labelled products - GSO, Skywatcher manufactures and sells under different labels - quality is good and value good bang-for-bucks!

HTH
Cheers
Bill

[chich0]

Ok,

I think i have decided.

I will go with the Bintel seeing that it isnt much more $$ and can pick it up in Melbourne.

I will get an Orion Collimating piece for it and a Telrad.

What Light pollution filters would you guys recommend?

I am in Melbourne so i will need one for Nebula, one for planets.

Is there any good reading material for filters in specific? WHat types there are and what they all do?

[barx1963]

Hi Chris
Good choice on the dob, the GSO/Bintel dobs are great value, I have the 12" one.
With filters I use a UHC and and OIII filter. I only have moderate light pollution here so cannot comment on how effective they are against LP.
The OIII is mainly used for planetary nebula, mainly confirming the blob I think I see is actually there.
Both can also be used on the brighter nebs to really improve the view. M17 (swan Neb) M8 (Lagoon) and M20 (Triffid) all looked heaps better when viewed with both these filters the other night.
I tend not to hunt the fainter nebs so cannot comment on how they help with these.

Malcolm

[chich0]

Hrmm.

I am deciding to go 8" now so that i can get a few DEW heaters and a few other things... How often does dew occur ? :S

I heard it is better to have the Dew caps as well as the heaters??

Any advice on this would be awesome.

[Poita]

Don't drop down to the 8 inch, get the 10 and worry about accessories later.

[barx1963]

You don't need dew caps on a dob. Eyepieces and finder are the main things affected and sometimes the secondary.
For the finder get an old stubby holder, rip the bottom out of it and slip that over the end which will protect the objective from the worst of the dew.
I did a lot of observing before getting dew heaters, just had a cheap hair dryer on hand with an extension cord and used it whenever needed, saves many $$ until you do decide to commit fully to the hobby.
Use money saved to get the best scope as Poita suggests. And 10" always beats 8"!

[Forgey]

Hi chris,
I agree with peter and malcolm and go with the 10", also my next scope ill be getting from bintel as well as its local for me too i wish i had now as it came with some extra bits.

[chich0]

Ok,

Thanks guys :)

I might see if i can find a portable hair dryer of some sort that runs on batteries maybe? Will probably be in a few spots without power.

Yeah Bintel is a good local option. At least if anything goes wrong i can take it straight back without having to ship anything! Worth the extra roughly $50 imo.

[Carlz]

I have the Bintel 8" and i love it! my partner has a skywatcher 12" and i can see the objects that he sees, just not as bright. I love my 8" though :D

[chich0]

Yeah,

I heard 8" is good. I think a 10" will be a good medium though, and definitely a good beginner scope, I will just have to save up for a few accessories later on. Should get it next week :)

[chich0]

I am also considering the Skywatcher Synscan 10 GOTO Dobsonian

Mainly for the ease of the GOTO. Big price difference, but i wont need to buy a telrad or anything for it.

Anyone used this scope?