Big_Daz Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hello, I have been interested in the night sky for ages but never took the time to take any attention to stars/planets/constellation ect until recently. I do not own a scope yet but I now use a pair of binoculars and all I can say is WOW!!! I have never noticed so much detail in the moon before. I also thought that the brightest star I could see was the north star, what an idiot I felt when Stellarium showed me that it was Jupiter. lol. I now have read up a little and have spotted a few constellations that I can see from my backyard but I would really like is to find a friendly stargazer near Yeovil, Somerset. to offer me round for a coffee, chat and maybe a look through their telescope (hope i'm not being too cheeky) so I can get an idea on what to buy for myself and what I could expect to see with said scope. Also if anyone has any advise on scopes for the beginner for around the £100-£150 price range, I would much appreciate any help. Thank you.Wishing dark nights and clear skies for all, Daz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damnut Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi Big_Daz,Warm welcome to SGL, I am sure you will find an astro group near you. Always the best way to buy a telescope is first to have a look through some and see what suits you best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charon Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Welcome to the forum Daz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn4me Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi and welcome to SGL:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hello Daz and welcome to SGL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi Daz, welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris h Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hello & welcome to SGL Daz , a bit over your budget the skywatcher skyliner 150p Dob under £200 comes with two EPs . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbytate Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi and welcome from me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beanyboy1982 Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 hi daz welcome from me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inkpen Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi Daz and welcome to the lounge. I love your enthusiasm and I'm sure you'll find someone near you willing to show you the ropes (I nearly said "show you their equipment" but that's probably a different forum ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ericgraham Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi Daz, welcome to SGL.Use your binoculars now to find your way around the sky. If you choose to buy a telescope your knowledge will help you to 'star hop'. If you are like most of us you will get bigger and better scopes and never run out of objects to observe.Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwc Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Welcome to the forums Daz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro Imp Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi and welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maej Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi & Welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi Daz and welcome to SGL This is a typical starter scope around your maximium budget. Very nice little scope, popular with many beginners, and will show you a lot more than binocs. Make sure you get one with a parabolic mirror. I had one of these for a while and was very impressed with it - especially on the brighter objects in the sky.First Light Optics - Skywatcher Explorer 130It would be a good idea to join your local astro soc and get a look through one or two scopes before you buy so you can set your expectations appropriately Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Kick Drum Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Welcome to the lounge, from North Kent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Daz Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 @Inkpen lol I had to type carefully on my first post because I nearly said "Equipment"@Brantuk I was expecting a 5" or 6" newtonian to start with maybe on an EQ mount, the skywatcher seems to be quite a popular starter option. As for a local astro soc, I'm not sure if there is one local, Bristol and Salisbury are a bit far really. Anyone know of any closer? Thanks for all the greets. Daz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faulksy Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 hi daz and welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 "Bristol and Salisbury are a bit far really. Anyone know of any closer?"Depends where you are Daz - try this list:Federation of Astronomical Societies - Member Societies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi and welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Daz Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 Thanks for the link brantuk. I did say in the first post that I live in Yeovil, Somerset. Looks like I have Crewkerne and Weymouth to choose from as my nearest Clubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Great stuff Daz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi Daz and welcome to the forumAs I live in Bristol, I might be able to advise you on something close to you but would need to know where you are. Damian above makes an important point in "try before you buy" as its the only way of establishing your own benchmark of what will meet your expectations. Budget is of course important but you don't want to buy and then have to resell to get what you feel you need - wastes more of your money that way.Clear skiesJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelestialHaz Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Hi and welcome to SGL from Birmingham - Hope you manage to find a group to join Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Hi Daz and welcome to SGL John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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