Anybody know about Astronomy telescopes?

Jasper · 19-Nov-2006, 13:10

My wife is looking at getting into astronomy,something neither of us know anything about!!

I am looking at a decent telescope in the £150-£200 range.

I don't want to waste money on a cheap one,to find i need to upgrade or can't get accessories for it.

It is a minefield out there with lense types,magnification etc.

Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

We were looking at a Celestron Firstscope 114,but the reviews suggest it's mor for kids and you will tire of it very quickly!!

Help!!!

Ains. · 19-Nov-2006, 13:24

Blo*dy hell Jasp', I've just been looking at them this AM too. Chrimbo prezzie for No#2 daughter.
Guido will be able to help as the same knowledge for big lenses goes for telescopes. They are the same thing.

Magnification = Blimey snowy, I can see the pub from here. x100 is better than x50, simple really.
Resolution = Blimey snowy I can see the pub from here, and it's dead clear.
Focal length = bigger is better, but you drop the amount of light collected so, the bit where you see f5.6 or f16, etc, the smaller the number the better the light collection (brighter) the object will appear.

Long telescope is just that, it's long. Reflector is stubby and has a mirror in the bottom that reflects the light back up the body and into the eyepiece.
Bigger the reflector diameter the better magnification you get. Usual is 4, 6 and 8 inch.

Optics, the more accurately ground the less distortion and better imaging you get. High tolerances cost bucks, so you pay for what you get.
It's why Guido's 400mm APO f2.8 (is it?) costs 7 grand new, and my 400mm f5.6 cost 500 quid new. It's also the reason why Guido gets pin sharp pix and we don't apart from his shear talent.

Google to some of the telescope sites and it'll all be in there.

Ains.

Jasper · 19-Nov-2006, 13:48

This looks ok:

Celestron Firstscope 114

749er · 19-Nov-2006, 17:44

Ask Melnie Mouse,she knows

Jools · 19-Nov-2006, 18:23

A friend of my mum and dad used to run a business making mirrors and lenses for telescopes before he retired. He's about 85 now but his enthusiasm for astronomy is still undiminished and he's bang up to date with all the latest and he still gets invited to give talks to various societies.

I'll email him and see if he can give you a call

Jasper · 19-Nov-2006, 20:56

thanks.

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19-Nov-2006, 13:48	#3
Jasper Registered Forum User Ducati Corse Posts: 3,707 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: YORK This looks ok: Celestron Firstscope 114 Reply

19-Nov-2006, 17:44	#4
749er Registered Forum User Ducati Meccanica Posts: 2,896 Join Date: Mar 2005 Mood: Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games Ask Melnie Mouse,she knows Reply

19-Nov-2006, 20:56	#6
Jasper Registered Forum User Ducati Corse Posts: 3,707 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: YORK thanks. Reply