ScouseSpaceCadet

Unfortunately that pervading attitude is prominent in other hobbyist forums. Buy what you can afford, don't skint yourself, get into debt or think beginner scopes are not good enough. For instance, a cheap 150mm reflector and a selection of midrange eyepieces can keep you busy for years. Remember, many of those who have been in the hobby a long time have traded up to reach the scopes or mounts they really fancy, having often reached a point were mortgages are paid off and kids grown up. There's plenty too who have gone crackers on a first telescope, spending several hundred or thousands on kit and it ends up gathering dust in the shed.

Planetary viewing with telescopes like a Startravel isn't 'pointless'. Both Saturn and Jupiter were observed with the ST120. The view was probably comparable to a 130/650mm reflector I had. Saturn's rings with a clear Cassini division and Jupiter displaying cloud bands. All great stuff for a beginner. It's about managing expectations. The cheaper entry level 120mm refractor has bit more aperture, but the 102mm more expensive instrument has better everything else and does more than just be a low power widefield scope. I'm not qualified or experienced enough to advise on the difference between FPL-51 and FPL-53 glass. All I can say is the Altair ED telescope out strips the expectations I had for it. I cannot see the point in spending much, much more cash for fancier objective glass that in my opinion, won't actually greatly improve the observing experience, help me see substantially more objects or detail. That debate is a bit like car geeks arguing over whether a Lamborghini or Ferrari is the best, when I'd be happy with either!

'Observing hood' just doesn't have the same ring to it as Clanger's "astro head sack". 😉

Another free and comprehensive Kindle astronomy book: Openstax Introduction to Astronomy. It's a fantastic free course book to work through while you're looking at solutions to your observing conundrum. As is Galaxies, Stars and Planets - The Open University. Here's also a selection of Aurora Webcams

The next SGL star party might be interesting. First Light Optics 'May Contain Eyes' astro sacks could be a big seller.

If widefield vistas are your goal, then I found the Skywatcher ST120 achromatic a great 'budget' option. Add a 2" diagonal and a 2" ED30 eyepiece and the wide view is splendid. Great contrast, pinpoint stars and as DSO observation goes, it saw as deep as my recently sold 150/750 reflector. I found myself with too many telescopes and the Startravel lost, due mostly to its weight. Fully loaded with accessories and an eyepiece it was too heavy for an AZGTI mount. Chromatic abberation is visible on brighter objects, the lunar limb for example, but it didn't bother me too much. Would you not consider a 102mm f7 ED refractor? Do you need two telescopes? This can replace your 102mm Mak for planetary viewing, while also allowing you to enjoy DSOs and a much wider field of view. They're relatively light weight instruments at around 4.5-5kg so easy to mount. I couldn't be happier with my recently purchased 102mm refractor. My own 102mm Maksutov is being kept as a travel/camping scope, otherwise it would be sold as the refractor has made the Mak redundant, and also my 150/750 reflector which was sold. The Altair Astro Starwave Ascent 102mm F7 ED refractor is sold under at least one other brand, but I can't remember which. One of the refractor gurus here will know. A field of view comparison between a 102mm Maksutov, Startravel 120, and 102mm F7 refractor. All with a 1.25" 25mm 60° eyepiece.

Definitely an achievement. Subsequent tries should be much easier to find it. The difference between a moderate-high LP view and a dark sky M31 observation is quite startling. You have something to look forward to. 😀

A final update; Last night I had a most excellent two hour lunar session using this telescope. The Skywatcher AZ5 and steel tripod held the scope admirably. After a couple of sessions now, the GSO 2.5x ED barlow and OVL 7mm ES-UWA 82° pairing has turned into my favourite combination. 255x with no noticeable loss of clarity, comfortable eye relief and very few floaters. Even at the maximum theoretical magnification and up to 297x (the GSO barlow + a 6mm Skywatcher Planetary) there was absolutely no hint of chromatic abberation whilst observing the 40% moon. Despite the wobbly seeing, the 297x was still useable. I felt some sharpness was lost with a hint of defocus, but features previously observed at 255x were still discernable. Anyone wishing to dip their toe into the 4" ED refractor world, but doesn't want, or cannot spend more than £500 on an OTA should really consider this fantastic little scope. I couldn't be happier with the purchase. It does everything I need it to do, is built well and impresses every time it's used. I don't envisage replacing this great looking instrument for a long time, if ever. The Altair Astro Starwave Ascent 102ED really feels like a 'keeper'. Thanks!

Woohoo! Yes it was. I need a lie down. 😄

Binoculars are a good starting point. I wish I'd bought mine first & saved up rather than hopping around telescopes until I settled. If post lock down you can get out to somewhere rural, the binocular view will blow you away I'm sure.

SGL's very own @Lockie may help you decide. His Youtube channel is a terrific resource for beginners. D.I.Y. Astro Just One Telescope for Everything!

Thanks Jeremy. Time to grow a beard, then get used to wearing a beanie hat and army surplus jumper 24/7. 😁

Yep, it was OK here for a while. Enough for a good lunar session, a couple of doubles and M42 again before the cloud thickened. Anyway, enough of this frivolity. 😄 Time to put my serious sciencey head on and read the stuff! 🧐

Happy to help. Starting off can be daunting, and cock ups frequent! You're right about taking one's time. Especially with DSOs. Letting your eyes adapt at the eyepiece can reveal wonders a quick glance doesn't do. Onwards and upwards!

My B.A.A. welcome pack. Plenty to read.

Very nice report... and using GoTo isn't cheating to any extent. It's called being modern. 😉 I had the frac and AZGTI out tonight before the sky turned milky and then cloud covered. Though Point & Track was used the most. Technology is great when it works. 😀

John has expertly answered your first question regarding the Altair Starwave. It's a great 4" refractor at a competitive price. As far as the Discovery 150 vs Evostar 102. Both probably have equal good and bad points. However, the whole Star Discovery 150i package is hands down worth the money imho. Manual mounts are great to use - I have one, but I'm sold on GoTo and tracking. Walking away from a mount, to return 15 minutes later and the object is still, at least roughly, centred in the view is priceless. Showing someone else an object? No messing around nudging or using slomo controls to keep the object in view. As is the Skymax 102 & AZGTI package, which also allows a degree of flexibility for future upgrades and mix/match possibility i.e. want a more stable platform? Add a steel tripod. Fancy a small refractor or picked up a used 130mm reflector one day? Mount it on the AZGTI and the steel tripod you bought. Want to travel, maybe camping? The Skymax AZGTI packages are small and light. 4" aperture will show a massive amount of objects in a rural setting. If you can push the budget, even better - the Skymax 127 AZGTI.

Wow. Well done. A nice find. The dielectric diagonal and right angle finder are bonus items too. 👍

If ruling out a dobsonian and considering the latest price increases, with £500 to spend on a new starter scope and mount there's one package I'd really consider: Sky-Watcher Star Discovery 150i WiFi Sky at Night Magazine review Astronomy & Nature TV Youtube review. Transportable, with GoTo and tracking. If you are really set on a refractor and able to stretch to £700, then an Altair Astro Starwave Ascent 102 and Sky-Watcher AZ4 with steel tripod . You will still need to fork out on a finder, star diagonal and eyepieces unfortunately, but for the initial outlay, it's likely you will keep that set up for a very long time. If ultra portability is required, with a £500 spend, then a Skymax 102 & AZGTI will almost fit in your pocket and leave you spare change. If you're super convinced you need an EQ mount, and want plenty of extra money saved for eyepieces and a book, then a Starquest 102 Mak and EQ mount will leave you enough change for eyepieces and a book. A RA motor drive is available.

... and the UAE Hope mission returns its first picture of Mars. A nice piccy. Olympus Mons just visible on the terminator. Interesting times indeed. At the bottom of the article above, the Chinese mission video has a movie feel to it. Taken with the engineers' inspection camera. A first for an interplanetary mission I believe.

Brilliant chaps. Thanks for your help. 👍

Thanks.

I'm considering replacing my Celestron 25mm 60° eyepiece. I've owned it two years and now fancy moving up to a more premium eyepiece. The Explore Scientific 24mm 68° seems to be the one based on price vs performance reviews. To be honest, with the proceeds of the Celestron sale, the ES priced at £155 is the most I can afford. However, they're out of stock everywhere except Ali Express at cut down prices even but I don't want to go there. I've noticed Altair have a range of premium eps.The Altair Ultraflats received a favourable review in Sky at Night Magazine. The 24mm 65° caught my eye and at £135 it's £20 cheaper than the ES. The specs look decent, but do any of the eyepiece gurus here have experience of this Altair range or any clones? Should I just hold out for the ES 24mm 68°? Thanks.

Definitely "wussing up" tonight. Lovely clear skies, but 19mph winds are too much and I have a headache (honest).

The AZGTI and Synscan App manuals are improved since the review. https://skywatcher.com/download/manual/goto-mounts/ I wouldn't fancy using the standard tripod with my 4" refractor. The 102 Mak is OK but it's far too easy using a longer OTA to nudge the tube and have to catch the lot as it topples. Safe as houses on the steel tripod though.