cheap decent telescope

[Wavytone]

So she's one of those who sets the limit at half what you ask for.
Should have said $1k

My first thought is a good pair of binoculars - say 11 x 70, which is about as big as can be comfortably hand held, and best used lying down on a mat or in an observing chair. Far more portable than a scope and will get good use.

Mmm...

Arguably the best buy IMHO is this http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=51355

For new gear - Bosma 80mm x 500mm refractor or the GSO GS-580 6" 150mm x 1200mm Dobsonian
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm but the 200mm secondhand Dob (above) is a better buy.

Then there is the real junk: the "IYA" scope - 76mm one-arm Dob - Bintel are clearing some at $99. The only practical use for this is kindling, for the christmas bonfire. The mirror is so small you can't even start a fire with it...

[davecambo (Dave)]

thanks so much for the information guys!

to astro744, your in depth reply is greatly appreciated. Is there any way that you can let me know a little more about what you described to me though. I am a COMPLETE novice, however i do know the planets and can find them quite easily with the program stellarium i have on my pc then go out and see them through a scope, I can also find many constellations with naked eye (scouts then army i guess helped there). I am interested in the following you described;

Quasar 3C 273 - what is it and where abouts can i find it? the search area in stellarium does nothing when i enter that.

if anyone can tell me how to search for these things in the program stellarium i would be greatful as i have noticed that instead of some words you need to type the sign for eta then car neb. is that right??

I think that is enough questions for you all this thread, thanks in advance once more.

p.s - sombrero, ngc 253 and andromeda - holy crap amazing!!!!! i cant wait to see them through a scope and not on a computer image. will this be possible with a 6" dob??

[astro744]

Originally Posted by davecambo

thanks so much for the information guys!

to astro744, your in depth reply is greatly appreciated. Is there any way that you can let me know a little more about what you described to me though. I am a COMPLETE novice, however i do know the planets and can find them quite easily with the program stellarium i have on my pc then go out and see them through a scope, I can also find many constellations with naked eye (scouts then army i guess helped there). I am interested in the following you described;

Quasar 3C 273 - what is it and where abouts can i find it? the search area in stellarium does nothing when i enter that.

if anyone can tell me how to search for these things in the program stellarium i would be greatful as i have noticed that instead of some words you need to type the sign for eta then car neb. is that right??

I think that is enough questions for you all this thread, thanks in advance once more.

p.s - sombrero, ngc 253 and andromeda - holy crap amazing!!!!! i cant wait to see them through a scope and not on a computer image. will this be possible with a 6" dob??

I only mentioned the Quasar 3C 273 since I often get asked what is the farthest my telescope can see and this object is 'out there'. However it will take you a bit of observing experience before you can find it and then actually see it. Same with Pluto which will be even more difficult.

Omega Centauri is one of the finest globular clusters in the sky near the Southern Cross. The Sombrero is a very nice edge on galaxy but be warned the image in a telescope is completely different to what you see in images; much fainter with more subtle details. Yet Sombrero is one of the brighter galaxies.

Stellarium is good but I prefer star charts and observing guides/books especially in the field and I highly recommend Sky Atlas 2000.0 Deluxe and the Sky Atlas 2000.0 Companion. These are all you need to find countless objects. (The deluxe is in colour and helps greatly identifying objects even if only from an armchair on a rainy night).

Forget the laptop at the telescope for even a red screen theme is too bright and will ruin your night vision and basically make fainter objects difficult. Just use the Sky Atlas, The Sky Companion and a red LED torch. Enjoy!