lincoln wrote:

OK, that is a ton of information. I must admit my timing couldn't be better. This is my first post and I was about to ask questions as to where I should start if I want to look at the night sky and I think you answered most of my them already. Thanks for the time you put into this.  One question I do have is, do you have any recommendations on books or charts I should look for to help identify the constellations and other objects in the night sky?  I will definately print the post and read it all on my own time but I am sure I will have plenty of other questions later.   Thanks again for all the info you posted. I am sure it will help me out greatly.

Hello and to astronomy.com

I'm glad this has helped.

You can find numerous recommendations for books and software in the "Resources Forum"

 

Have A Nice __________

 

 

I've been doing astronomy for years and I found some good information in your thread. I've marked it and saved it in my favorites list. Thanks. Dave, Sylvan Beach, NY

 With the new changes to the forums, many of the old links to some of these threads no longer work. Some people had this bookmarked, and there are some new members who may want to read this also. I had to look back through the abyss, but finally found it..

Have A Nice __________

A great blog - very helpful :D

Rich vi2k

Thanks a lot for all this valuable information.

I have homework.

Thank you for posting such valuable information. I cannot even call myself an amateur astronomer, but I am greatly fascinated by the sky. I wish to buy a telescope, not a very professional one ofourse, but one which would let me see the rings of Saturn, the moons of Jupiter, the wonders of the sky. Unfortunately I have only about $50-150 at my disposal at present. Can you please recommend a telescope which would suit me? What do you think of the First Scope Telescope of Celestron? Is it just a kid's thing, or will it show anything clear? Please do reply soon

I think you would be far happier with a decent pair of 10 X 50 binoculars, than with any telescope you could buy in that price range. With binoculars you will be able to see the moons of Jupiter, hundreds of wonderful star clusters, some nebulae, and even some of the brighter galaxies.  Binoculars also are great to have around for daytime use.  You can get started enjoying the night sky right away with binoculars while you continue to save for a better first telescope.

Here is a nice pair of binoculars at a decent price:

http://www.garrettoptical.com/Garrett-10x50-Astronomy-Binoculars-p/g1050lw.htm

Good luck.

I have to agree with Zachsdad.  A decent pair of binoculars at this point would be a lot more fun to use than a cheap telescope toy.

Otherwise save up just a little longer.  A decent Alt/AZ refractor of 90mm with a sturdy tripod will run around $200.  The skywatcher 90AR-A23 is $190.   This type of scope will let you see quite a lot but the objects will be tiny.  Such a scope will show lunar craters and seas, the rings of Saturn, Jupiters main belts, broad features of Mars at opposition, bright nebulae like M57, M42, or M8 and show open clusters and double stars rather well.  It should provide several years of enjoyment.

A better deal would be a 6" DOB Newtonian Reflector. For around $280 you will get a scope that will show everything well.  From planets to deep sky objects you will have a lot to choose from.  A six inch mirror will give you a good view of many objects and at least of glimpse of many more.

Good luck to you and enjoy learning the universe with whatever you can afford whether it be eyes, binocs, or a telescope.

L

I think there are a few grammatical errors in there. I believe you spelled the word "wavelength" wrong in paragraph 27 sentence 14.....

I thank you for advising me. One more thing I want to ask you is, what you think of the the First scope telescope of Celestron. It's for $49.5 only. Do you think it's a cheap toy telescope?

Also, do you think the binocular would show me the things clearly or only as tiny specs? You know, an amateur is always expecting more,never less.

 I've got this binocular. It's written "20x50 168FT AT 1000YDS" on it. What do you think about it? Is an astronomical binocular different from a normal binocular? I'm sadly ignorant about these things. Please advice.

You should write a book.  Thanks for the info.  I saved it on my phone so I can read it when  I have free time.  This will help me since I'm thinking of getting a telescope in the future.

maryccc:

You should write a book.  Thanks for the info.  I saved it on my phone so I can read it when  I have free time.  This will help me since I'm thinking of getting a telescope in the future.

Most of this information is in numerous books and on various web sites already. That's where I get much of my information, I've only tried to consolidate it and put it into basic layman's terms for easier understanding.

Quote: I've got this binocular. It's written "20x50 168FT AT 1000YDS" on it. What do you think about it? Is an astronomical binocular different from a normal binocular? I'm sadly ignorant about these things. Please advice :End Quote.

That particular Binocular will be hard to hold still without using a mount of some type.

A 10X50 will give you a steadier view, and at 20X50, you are going to have a hard time holding them still long enough to see any faint detail without a mount.

The first number of any binocular is the magnification, and that second number is the aperture of each lens cell in millimeters, the 168 ft at 1000 yds, means that your field of view at 1000yds will be 168 ft wide.

There are two basic types of Binoculars,  for astronomy, you want ones that are water resistant and fog resistant and rubber armored with a neck strap, and that do not use roof prisms,  along with as large of an aperture as you can afford.   

These roof prism binocs can be quickly identified because from the lens to the eyepiece, it is a straight line, there is no offset between the center line of the front lenses and the eyepieces with a roof prism binocular.  I would stay away from those type IMHO.

You want a set of binoculars that are multi coated to reduce reflections,  another good quick test of a binocular is to hold them out at arms length while aiming at a white wall or the daytime sky, just stay away from the SUN!

While holding them at arms length, you should see round circles of light in the eyepieces if they are made correctly, poorly made binocs show a non circular image held at arms length.   Another consideration is the alignment of the optics, when you look through a set of binoculars, if you see double, it's out of collimation.

You will also need to learn how to focus a binocular properly.

To do this, hold your binoculars to your eyes and adjust the distance between both eyes by folding the barrels closer together or separating them until the image appears as one circle, then while pointing at an object that is far away, close your right eye and use the center focusing knob or paddle to focus your left eye.

Once you have focused your left eye while looking at the same target, close your left eye and open your right eye, the right eyepiece has a diopter adjustment, you can then focus the image in your right eye by turning the right eyepiece left or right. until you reach focus. you then have the binocs focused properly, but to your eyes only.

There are allot more considerations for choosing Binoculars for astronomy, I have only touched upon a couple of them.

Try a Google search for  (Best Binoculars For Astronomical Use)

Tim has done a wonderful job with this posting, I have it book marked for newcomers to  read

Dennis