Si Rollett Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 This stuffs a mine field with ever question answered it makes a new one, anyone got any tips for a reference books to help very very new people to some of the basics of scopes,eye pieces and other things that i don't even know yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richbyers Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 i have phillips guides- i dont have this particular one but it sounds as if its the type of thing you want Philips Practical Astronomy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Rollett Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 Will look it up cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richbyers Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 no worries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 The web, and forums like this, are the best place for advice on astro equipment choices in my view. By the time a book is published, the information in it on equipment choices will be out of date - things do change pretty quickly. Also you can be interactive which is not possible with a printed work.That said, the book "Starware" by Phil Harrington makes a decent attempt to guide you though the choices.Also the Sky At Night magazine publishes regular reviews which seem to be aimed are folks relatively new to the hobby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richbyers Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 thats a very good point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pajr777 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 For a good book on what to look at during the seasons, and how to find it, "Turn Left At Orion" is very good: Turn Left at Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope - and How to Find Them: Amazon.co.uk: Guy Consolmagno, Dan M. Davis: BooksFor a good general introduction to the science of astronomy, "Astronomy - A Self-Teaching Guide" - Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide Wiley Self-Teaching Guides: Amazon.co.uk: Dinah L. Moché: BooksThese are my first two books and as a beginner I highly recommend them both.Edit: Just read the initial post again and neither of these go in-depth into equipment choices, so slightly off-topic but worth checking out nonetheless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonshane Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 I agree with John, this forum is just full of knowledgeable folk quite happy to pass on their experience. if you want to know just ask away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Rollett Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 Everything I ask I get an answer but some I dont understand and the ones I do just make another question, but I get what you mean.See I dont even know what I can see with the scope and Ep's I have I know I can see the moon which is so cool.What do people think about the scope I have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonshane Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 don't worry we all start like this. you'll be able to see Jupiter, main bands and moons for a few weeks at least as it's past its best this year - will be back in Summer time. Saturn is rising now and you'll see the rings and main moon Titan. Venus is obvious in the east currently in the evening, like a mini half moon.There are lots of brighter Messier objects (get a decent star map such as Sky & Telescope Pocket Atlas) and this will help - ensure your finder scope is aligned properly.Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Everything I ask I get an answer but some I dont understand and the ones I do just make another question, but I get what you mean.See I dont even know what I can see with the scope and Ep's I have I know I can see the moon which is so cool.What do people think about the scope I have?We have a Glossary and a list of abbreviations >>HERE<<We are also resurrecting the Astropedia project, it was mothballed because of a lack of time. But I think it's time that it was added to again. Even if it's just me AstroPediaThese might help with some of the terms that your unsure of, if there are some missing - just ping me over a PM.CheersAnt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Rollett Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 We have a Glossary and a list of abbreviations >>HERE<<We are also resurrecting the Astropedia project, it was mothballed because of a lack of time. But I think it's time that it was added to again. Even if it's just me AstroPediaThese might help with some of the terms that your unsure of, if there are some missing - just ping me over a PM.CheersAntSounds good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Rollett Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 don't worry we all start like this. you'll be able to see Jupiter, main bands and moons for a few weeks at least as it's past its best this year - will be back in Summer time. Saturn is rising now and you'll see the rings and main moon Titan. Venus is obvious in the east currently in the evening, like a mini half moon.There are lots of brighter Messier objects (get a decent star map such as Sky & Telescope Pocket Atlas) and this will help - ensure your finder scope is aligned properly.Hope this helps.I use google sky which is fairly good I think my main problem is by in a city with house's all around the back of my house so I can only see a very small bit of sky and ifaces the wrong way.Moving house soon back south abit so hopefully will be able to get out in the sticks soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pajr777 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Google Stellarium it's free software for Win/Mac and it's superb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Rollett Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 I use google sky on my phone which has GPS, not heard anything bad about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Rollett Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 Was I silly with getting a refractor telescope as most seem to have reflector telescope? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pajr777 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 A reflector gets you more aperture per £ or $, so for the same budget a reflector will be better for dim objects like galaxies and nebulae. But on the other hand, a refractor will need less attention on collimation and is better for planetary/lunar observation.At least that's my basic understanding of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaMike Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Go along to a local Astronomy group.I have found that to be the best source of information. You get to look thorugh multiple scopes/eyepieces too - there is nothing like personal experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismangil Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 After reading many books and resources myself since last year, I can recommend two books:1. Backyard Astronomers Guide. Tells you all you need to know and more on equipment choices and many techniques. 2. Turn Left at Orion as referred above. This answers exactly your question what can you see in a small scope. It has realistic drawings. You can get TLAO first if you just want to find stuff on the sky. Perry on mobile (so blame strange words on text prediction!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Rollett Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 So the one i got was a good start. Have looked at then books on a well know world wide online site. Will look in to it more tomorrow as i am working tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsmith001 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 This stuffs a mine field with ever question answered it makes a new one, anyone got any tips for a reference books to help very very new people to some of the basics of scopes,eye pieces and other things that i don't even know yet?Hi#The easiest source is sky at night for a newbie. Go to their web site and look at the reviews.After that just google as much as you can -the info is there if you want it.I found the forums particularly useful - users are really helpful and you get all points of viewhappy hunting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 For reference books I would also support The Back Yard Astronomers guide also Night Watch and of course the old favorite TL@O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Rollett Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 Sounds like this TL@O is must have will shop around later once i have slept and will look the others up at the same time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si Rollett Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 Just ordered TL@O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSkywatcher Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Books are great. The only trouble with books are they only tell you so much. Read enough of them and they all start to say the same things.But are still invaluable. By asking questions,reading,researching on a place like this............you learn so much more than a book can or will ever teach you. How many people come here? How long have they been into astronomy? Multiply one by the other and that adds up to a LOT of years experience."The only stupid question, is the one you dont ask". I dont know who coined that phrase, but it is so true.Paulp.s.~~~TLAO is in my mind a must have for everyone. Even for people who have Go-To scopes, because it gives you a realistic view of what to expect to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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