Begginer Naked Eye Knowledge And Telescope

[theawakener]

Hello everyone,

Im a begginer in astronomy and i need some advice, but i dont like following simple tutorials and guide books, im really eager to learn as autonomously as possible because i want to know my way around the sky and have a really good naked eye knowlodge about the sky. I want to know about the mythology associated with constelations and meaningfull cycles of objects in the Universe, but again, i would like to do this as independent as possible, and get only really reliable and good resources you guys may know.

I would also really like advice on a telescope and binoculars to buy.

From searching, i understood that starting with a telescope right away is not good (if you disagree please say so and why you think that), but i have got to buy one now, even if i dont use it at the beggining. What models or brands you recommend that are portable, but do not loose much quality of the image. And i would like one thats not computerized so I can really learn about the telescope.but at the same time, when im trying to show something to someone, i dont want to waste too much time preparing the telescope, what are your advices on that?

And about the binos, is there anything else to consider when buying a pair, beside aperture size and magnification(sorry if the terms are wrong, newbie)?

As i said before, i would really like to have an independent knowledge of the sky, so studying a book while observing the sky is a good method? Or i should really just study in a library?

Sorry for the long post, but im really picky on what i spend my time learning.

Thank you guys so much,im really considering being a stargazer for a long time

[swamp thing]

Hi

I found this book: http://www.backyard-astro.com/bookssoftware/garfinkle_starhop/garfinklestarhop.html of real value when I was learning to star hop properly. Not only does it tell you what to look for and where, but just as importantly, how to look. The techniques covered in this book stand you in good stead to use any telescope or bins you ever lay your hands on.

It also goes into some detail on mythology behind the constellations.

I would compliment this with a good star atlas such as http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sky-Atlas-2000-0-Deluxe-Edition/dp/0521627621 this will keep you on the right track for years.

Many newcomers now recommend This book: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ASTRONOMY-BOOK-TURN-LEFT-AT-ORION-/280893655930?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item4166910b7a not used it myself but it has a HUGE fan club.

Scopes, well if I were starting again in astronomy this would be my first choice: http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-150p-dobsonian.html

This scope is cheap, easy to set up and use, has a great stable mounting, portable, easy on eyepieces, holds collimation very well, and tough as old boots.

HTH

[Qualia]

I find it difficult to add to the excellent advice given by Brigadier General, so will take another route of trying to help your own enquiry, Awakener.

I would try to obtain some kind of basic sky chart (http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html) and gradually learn the visible constellations (I'm still at work on this one). With the free software program, Stellarium, you'll be able to become familiar with the sky and its movement and the relationships between the different constellations and brighter stars and be able to see what will be visible to you at any given time. There should also be plenty of free star maps on the net to check out.

A site like this one: http://www.dibonsmith.com/menu.htm, should give you some sound knowledge on naked eye tours, myths about the different names, what can you expect to find and look out for, and the such.

This site is handy for a general bit of knowledge and background: http://www.wwnorton.com/college/astronomy/astro21/sandt/backyard.html

This site was useful to get a bit of a background in astronomy in general: http://eia.egreen.wednet.edu/science/textbooks/astronomy/ua.html

I find this site very handy to appreciate what I can expect to see and to sit back and just enjoy the aesthetic appeal of these type of art works: http://www.asod.info/

Finally, this site itself, SGL, will probably be your most important point of call. It is full of wise, attentive and kind folk who will try to help with any problem and enquiry you may have. Indeed, for this fellow in Spain, SGL has come as a godsend!

Generally, I have seen that Skywatcher, Celestron and Tal scopes come highly recommended to the beginner, with the Dob type set ups coming in first place for the 'biggest bang for your buck'.

Good luck with your own pursuits and welcome to SGL :icon_cheers:

[theawakener]

Those seem like really good books man, thanks. Yes i think you got my point, i really want to know how to look at the sky, and be able tu use any telescope.

https://www.all-startelescope.com/sales/product_info.php?cPath=21_98&products_id=587 i saw some threads recomending this one for begginers.

about the binos, i saw a thread where it says the ratio between the aperture size and magnification should be 5. Any other things that a bino for star hopping should have or a standard military or hunting bino with the ratio is good enough?

about the history, mythology of the constelations and cycles of cosmic objects such as comets, im guessing this is not the right forum, could anyone please point out a forum about the subject? much apreciated

[theawakener]

Thank you Qualia, I see i got much to learn. And the artwork is really inspiring, i might do my own sketches. I guess ill start by going one night out with a basic constelation chart and a pair of binoculars and a notebook. I used to do this as a kid and i really didnt see the importance of these things, untill now. What books or websites do you recomend for tracking solar system planets and other meaningfull solar system objects?

Really great forum, thanks for the info

[theawakener]

swamp thing, ive checked out the telescope you recomended and i think i could use something more portable. That one looks great but seems big and heavy.

https://www.all-star...products_id=197 how about this one? and being computerized, can it still be used normally or im forced to use the computer of the telescope everytime i want to take a look at the sky?

[earth titan]

Go with the scope Swamp Thing suggests rather than the Celestron. From your original post, you said you wanted to learn the sky and a dob will do just that. If you have he kind of money to spend on the Celestron, then go for an even bigger dob.

As for size? Don't be fooled by the picture. The dob is probably the easiest to handle.

[glowjet]

There has been some excellent advise already given, to cover the aspect of Astronomy myth and symbolism, there is a very nice paperback "The Complete Guide to the Constellatioms " by Geoffery Cornelius, which you may find very useful

John.