Telescope??

[Jediboy]

Hi,

I have been considering getting a telescope, to look at the moon, stars, planets ect.......
Does anyone have any experience of entry level telescopes, what to look out for and a good place to start?

Ay tips/advice much appreciated.

Cheers

Chris.

[Petethebear]

Chris
If you check under the General Photography Discussion section there was an entry about the recent asteroid fly past. I posted in one of my replies a link to an exhibition that will be taking place in May.
As with photography,Canon and Nikon, astronomy has two big players Celestron and Meade. There are then a further panoply of other manufacturers and third party players producing there own brands, just as there are with photography.
The exhibition would be a great place to start. You will be able to see/handle a wide variety of telescopes and accessories.
Looking at who will be exhibiting you will be spoilt for choice. My personal experience attending similar exhibitions, has been that if you explain what you are hoping to achieve then you will get the very best advice without the "hard sell" aspect.
Wide Screen Centre, Astronomia, Green Witch and Telescope house ( and others I'm sure ) all work closely with astronomical societies and the staff are usually members of these societies.
Hope this helps you, I know the exhibit isn't till May but it will be well worth the wait.
Pete

[Jediboy]

Thanks Pete.
I did see the thread you mention, and the exhibition sounds like a good trip out. I've done some research on the web, but with anything completely new I like to benefit from others experience and knowledge.

Thanks again,

Chris

[Petethebear]

Chris
I think Green Witch Over Bedford way is your nearest specialist dealer.
I highly recommend " Turn left at Orion " this book will give you some great advice.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Turn-Left-Or...1465467&sr=1-1

As for a telescope these are the sort of thing to get you going.
http://www.green-witch.com/acatalog/...elescopes.html

By the way I have no connection other than having been a customer with any of the companies I've given links to.
My first hobby/interest is astronomy. I've recently gotten into photography and am now combining these interests.
Pete

[Jediboy]

Thanks Pete. I am into photography but fancy astronomy, and then maybe combining the two.
Thanks for your help,

Chris.

[nick_gray]

Pete, thanks for the links as well.

Chris, I'm in a similar situation, I have always enjoyed looking at the night sky, and have often thought of getting a telescope, so I thought I would go to the exhibition (http://www.international-astronomy-show.com/) that Pete mentioned in my asteroid post a few days ago and see if I can find out a bit more information.

I'm not sure if you watched the BBC series Stargazing live, with Dara O'Briain and Professor Brian Cox, the BBC still has quite a bit of information on the three series, on their website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b019h4g8, whilst the programmes aren't available on the BBC iPlayer anymore, they are available on youtube http://www.youtube.com/results?searc....1.OeUagzMB6VI

Regards

Nick

Oh and BTW, if you have a 7D, a 500mm f/4 lens with a couple of teleconverters, you too could photograph the International Space Station!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/72858142@N08/8482336723/

[nick_gray]

Jediboy/Chris,

I'm not sure if you have purchased you telescope yet, but I thought you might be interested to know that there is a comet "Comet 2011 L4 Panstarrs" travelling through the western sky just after sunset from the 7th March. Getting closest to the sun on 10th March (so will perhaps be at its brightest). Apparently there are going to be good photo opportunities when it passes the crescent moon on 12th-13th March (which is probably when it's going to be raining ).

More information here http://earthsky.org/space/comet-pans...-in-march-2013

BTW perhaps we could have an astro-photography section on this forum, if anyone else is interested.

Nick

[Jediboy]

Thanks for the info Nick.
I haven't purchased one yet. I went to see a friend who is into astrology for some advice. He has a £1200 telescope which is way beyond what I'm looking to spend. But it has opened a can of worms about how much I should spend to make it worthwhile.
I want to upgrade my camera body too - thats a 'want' not a 'need.'
Decisions decisions!!

[nick_gray]

I want to upgrade my body (camera!) as well, although I'm also thinking about buying a long lens, or a 70-200 L, or a telescope, I've been trying to decide what to do for a couple of years, and still can't make up my mind. Although if I had a friend with a good telescope, I might invite myself round to his house with a few beers , which would take one thing out of the equation.

A couple of years ago, my daughter won her school quite a good telescope. I suggested to the Head, that it would be nice if we borrowed it for a weekend. The moon looked fantastic, but when we saw the rings around Saturn, it was quite surreal.

BTW did you see that photograph of the ISS taken with a 7D that I posted in this thread a little earlier.

Nick

[Jediboy]

I did see the photo Nick. Pretty impressive. Thanks for sharing that.
It was one of my hopes to do some astro photography, but it seems that an easier option is to attach a webcam to the telescope.
My friend says he will invite me over next time he's star gazing. That could get me hooked though and cost me a lot of money.