Ok, so I've been watching the BBC Stargazing Live and it's got me a bit motivated to maybe have a go myself. Now I know next to nothing about astronomy but have always liked watching programmes about it. Prof Brian Cox is just fantastic to watch on TV, loved all his programs, totally cool dude in my book, and I have to say I've been rather impressed by Dara amateur knowledge too.

So, I'm sure there's a few people on here who know what they're doing, if I wanted to have a go myself and say had a budget of £150 to get me started, what's my best option for a telescope? And if I want to atke some pictures of what I'm seeing what would I need?

BTW - got myself a subscription to New Scientist for Christmas, this year gonna be a year to add some new knowledge to my old addled brain.

Jasper

I agree, really good programme, and for years and years ive promised myself that i would buy a decent telescope
(i have a 15x30x45 one since i was about 8) but that is pretty useless

so what is the best buy ?

I also would like one of those sky maps that you dial in the date time etc, and it shows what all the stars etc are

Steve

I've got a basic app on my iPhone for astronomy, but I'm thinking a paying for a better one which shows what everything is in the sky.

I was looking at this scope last night,
And might buy one later ??

http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/Skywatcher/Astrolux/76mm/starter-scope.html

what do you need a telescope for? just look into the wifes eyes! (bu dum tish!)

Excellent programme wasn't it?

Did you know Brian Cox used to be with D:Ream?

Anyway I got Stu (also a novice) a telescope for last Crimbo,
he had also seen some of Dr Cox's programmes and got the bug.

I got him a Celetron Powerseeker 127 EQ

which seems pretty easy to use and set up if you are new to it all.
I also took some shots of the Moon through it during the summer

Description


Description

Just using a Nikon Coolpix digital camera.....nowt fancy, just a 'compact' camera.

HTH
Fozzie

All about the Clestron 127 here, with some alternative suggestions....

clicky scope linkydink

Instead, or as well as, a sky map (planisphere) I recommend the web site Heavens Above. com

In the astronomy section is the Whole Sky Chart.

If you put in your Lat & Long (nearest city will do) you get a star and planet map in real time.
You can then put in a day and time and it will show the sky as it will be. e.g. midnight tonight.

HTH

Paul G

Hi about 4 years ago i bought a 7inch reflector scope as where i live there is no better place to stargaze
but iv hardly used it maybe 3 times just two busy
its got all the lenses tripod motor etc with it and i think id sell it as its not gonna get used
id take around £200 for it cost £500 i remember

any takers

collection would be better as its large and delcate but could get a courior to deliver if required


cant post picy but its similar to this one

cheers Malc 07960011585



http://www.wit-usa.com/sms/shop/index.php?p=b3JnYT1zZWJlbiZncm91cD0yJmxhbmc9MiZjdXJyPTE=&action=products&cat=1&mode=view&id=7

that sounds like a bargain from malc.

The one steve linked too looks crap to me, the mechanism that holds it up has no means of precise adustment, and it would be unstable.

Malcs one, having a motor, you should be able to set it to your latitude and thus get the motor to follow the sky with one of the dials, so you can do longer exposure shots. My old 4" reflector has a pair of worm drives on flexy shafts so you can precisely adjust it without vibrating the stand.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fozzie
Did you know Brian Cox used to be with D:Ream?

---

Slightly ott, but I've been a fan of the Profs since his last tv series and now looking forward to the next. His enthusiasm is incredible and I thought the Stargazing series was brilliant - hopefully to be repeated soon.

What surprised me was Dara's knowledge!

As for telescopes, I was in pcworld just before Christmas and they had a couple in there and I was so tempted, but really need, like others, to do some research to find something suitable.

Advice may be lurking here

ATB

Simon

[Edited on 7/1/11 by Simon]

Ooh another thing, I got this recorded so I haven't seen it but it would be AWESOME if you meant Dara O'Brien!

One of the best bits of kit if you're just starting in star-gazing is a good pair of binoculars, together with some means of fixing them to a stand (e.g. tripod). Something with a low-ish magnification but big light gathering ability (7x50 or better).

These are easy to use, quick to set up and give instant rewards.

I'd also recommend one of Patrick Moore's books for amateur astronomers.

(and yes, it was THAT Dara!)

[Edited on 7/1/11 by David Jenkins]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ninehigh
Ooh another thing, I got this recorded so I haven't seen it but it would be AWESOME if you meant Dara O'Brien!

---

Well, Malc 'scope arrived and I set it up last night and looked at the Moon and Jupiter, absolutely amazing.... then I realise I have absolutely no idea what to do next with it!

So after a quick look on the internet it turns out there's a local club that meet about 500 yds from my home once a month, so I'm gonna head down there and get some pointers. Sir Patrick Moore is their chairman and lives just down the road apparently!

I'll post some pictures once I get it all sussed out

[Edited on 19/1/11 by Jasper]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jasper
Well, Malc 'scope arrived and I set it up last night and looked at the Moon and Jupiter, absolutely amazing.... then I realise I have absolutely no idea what to do next with it!

So after a quick look on the internet it turns out there's a local club that meet about 500 yds from my home once a month, so I'm gonna head down there and get some pointers. Sir Patrick Moore is their chairman and lives just down the road apparently!

I'll post some pictures once I get it all sussed out

[Edited on 19/1/11 by Jasper]

---

Fozz, I just ordered this from Amazon, detailed DK book, and Planisphere together for £12:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Starfinder-Dk-Astronomy-Carole-Stott/dp/1405352701/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1295527484&sr=8-11

Thanks for that Jasper......I have now ordered it for Stu ....

I had been looking for the Philips Planisphere .... but not in stock anywhere.........so the DK one will do very nicely!

Fozzie

Stellarium is quite good for finding out what you were looking at and being free doesn't hurt.

http://www.stellarium.org/

Not a bad site, but soooo slow !