the lemming Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Does what it says on the tin. I have finally placed an order for a telescope after lots of deliberation and chosen something smallish and easy too move around. What first time Must-haves should I buy to go with my new toy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moogoomonkey Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Must HavesRed TorchPlanisphereStar ChartsGuide BookCollimation Cap (Minimum)Warm Clothes!Some box to keep your gear inOptionalLaser CollimatorTelradCan't think of anything else at the moment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_M_Franklin Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 For a red torch you use an LED rear light for a bike, a small one is sufficient.If you have a smart phone (andoid) or a tablet, or both, then why not get Stellarium instead of a planesphere, does the same job only better.Sent from my GT-P5110 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 I would second the recommendation of Stellarium which you can view here, particularly when you are planning ahead as you can advance the date/time facility so you know what is coming up when. Stellarium can be configured to your precise viewing location thereby replicating precisely the sky that you will actually see. One word on the red light/torch question. Although in principle you can use any red light, it is important to ensure that it is is still fairly dim other wise even a bright red light can effect your accrued night vision. Although there are many books detailing the night sky, some of them in my experience are not quite detailed enough to help you find your chosen object, especially when you look though the eyepiece of a reflecting scope and the image is presented upside down AND back to front. One book I would recommend is Turn Left At Orion which you can view here. Not only are there some good written directions but the included visual aids are presented in steps that help take you to your object and the choice of some 100 objects will certainly keep you busy for some time to come.Clear skiesJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BinocularSky Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 In addition to teh above:Turn Left at OrionShould be compulsory with every first scope purchase! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargazer_00 Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Enthusiasm. If you have that you have everything you'll ever need Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 For the first two weeks, I'd say you need nothing but time and clear skies to settle in with your new purchase but its entirely your preference. All the suggestions made here have been good ones. Just be sure to take in the sky without pressure of trying to use all the bits and bobs at once. I'd say that one of the key highlights of my 4 short months back in the hobby has been the first light with the scope aimed at Jupiter. What a sight! Hitting it with the red dot and then looking through the lens was all it took to embark on a forgotten hobby in a new and very exciting way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulf Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 which mount are you getting? only *essential* thing you'll need on your first night is batteries if you've gone for one of the AZ mounts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SplintUK Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 In addition to teh above:Turn Left at OrionShould be compulsory with every first scope purchase! +1 for that. Go for the spiral bound version if you can. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicks90 Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 they do a spiral version?wish i;d known that before i bought my copy. I am actually contemplating tearing all the pages out of mine and laminating them and popping it into a ring binder - as i;m sick of the pages getting damp and curling up when i'm having a session. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SplintUK Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 they do a spiral version?wish i;d known that before i bought my copy. I am actually contemplating tearing all the pages out of mine and laminating them and popping it into a ring binder - as i;m sick of the pages getting damp and curling up when i'm having a session.I have to admit I actually have both now. Here is the spiral version http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0521153972 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inedible_hulk Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 +1 for Left Turn at Orion. I went for the same scope and its pretty good fun as is. If its any help this is my list of things I have subsequently bought, but to start with I wouldn't say you needed any of them Left Turn at Orion Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky AtlasRevelation Astro x2.5 BarlowCollimation capCheshire collimator8mm, 15mm & 25mm BST Explorer/Starguider EPsMoon filter (it's too bright for me!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeSkywatcher Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 All great suggestions.Dont worry about an upgrade on EP's just yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rory Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 red torch, clear sky, and a hot flask, that'll get you along for a while. good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the lemming Posted December 29, 2012 Author Share Posted December 29, 2012 Thank you everybody for your replies.I was hoping to have my new toy for New year's Eve when I'd be going round a mate's house. That wasa until I saw that the shop website said they were shut till Jan 2nd. :-(Such is life. :-)Any how I've ordered a 2 x barlow thingie, which I'm guessing gives me double magnification when using eye pieces.I have also bought Stellarium for my Android tablet. I don't really like paying for apps/software but Google Skymaps is a pile of .........I've also heard mention of collumation. So what do I need, that is simple and not expensive?I'm guessing that a small telescope won't need lazers for fine tuning as its so short in length.And, finally, do I need any filters for the moon or in general?Once again, thany you all for your replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moogoomonkey Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 There is a cheap laser collimator from Seben on amazon:http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006FGYWM0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=AC0Z9SY209HFVI am going to buy one when it comes in stock...Its like half the price of some other collimators so it seems like a good deal IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rory Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 you dont need a moon filter until you've done some observing yourself,some people like them ,others dont use filters on lunar viewing. i never found a problem unfiltered myself , others find it to bright,particulally on a full moon. as for collimation , id go for a simple collimation tool , like this - http://www.firstlightoptics.com/collimation/cheshire-collimating-eyepiece.html. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tingting44 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 did ya scope come today mate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulf Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 @the lemming , my 130p came with a 2x barlow and a moon filter in the box... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 You may want to buy or make a dew shield to go over the end of the scope, it will prevent dew from forming on the secondary mirror (the small one). You could also make one for the finder scope which is likely to be the first thing to dew up, using some velcro strip (the self-adhesive kind) and some crafting foam sheet (they sell it in packs usually, about 5mm thick).I'm guessing you got the 130P on EQ-2 mount, you may want to invest in a small plastic spirit level to help you when setting up (to level the tripod), use a compass to point the mount to magnetic North and that should be good enough for polar alignment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezerasurfr Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 For a red torch you use an LED rear light for a bike, a small one is sufficient.If you have a smart phone (andoid) or a tablet, or both, then why not get Stellarium instead of a planesphere, does the same job only better.Sent from my GT-P5110 using Tapatalk 2Smart phones can also download a flashlight app that you can change the color of light. It uses the screen instead of the camera flash...but still useful in lue of buying more equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markfftang Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I'd really recommend getting a decent battery pack. The Celestron Power Tanks are nice but pricey so I use one from Maplin. You can buy a car cigarette-lighter to scope power plug lead from 'Scope suppliers, or make one yourself if you are handy with a soldering iron. The unit I've got gives 2x 12V out, USB power socket and a 150W invertor. It also has a built in LED torch, handy for checking you've not left anything behind when packing up at your dark sites Cost about 40 quid, money well spent compared to D-Cells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midnight_sky_watcher Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 A great starter scope, A good way to find out more is to join your local astronomy club, there you can get first hand, lots of advice.Clear skies.Grant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattft Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I have also bought Stellarium for my Android tablet. I don't really like paying for apps/software but Google Skymaps is a pile of .........How's Stellarium? I'm thinking of getting an android tablet instead of an iPad but only if there's a decent app... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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