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Can I do this really

Vikkipink

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Vikkipink

Vikkipink

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Hi all especially anyone local to Wetherby, west/north Yorkshire!

I really really have no experience at all with anything like this, including forums! So sorry in advance for any mistakes and errors!

For as long as I can remember I have always loved looking up to the night sky, but not done anything about it, not done any research etc. I am now thinking I want to take it a little bit more seriously and see thinks a bit clearer so firstly I looked at telescopes, which do seem quite specialist and quite technical to operate?! embarrassingly I didn't know but binoculars may be all I need?! I'm not sure at all! I have looked at visiting Jodrell Bank and the telescope in Stockton but again I don't really know how this will assist me?! Any advice will be greatly accepted! I have seen a pair of binoculars which say they are good for stargazing about 90£ from Argos?! Is this realistic?! Also I there was anyone local that I could meet with an do some star gazing, see a but more of what's its about that would be fab?! Thanks in advance vikki

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Peter Drew

Peter Drew

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Hello Vikki, welcome to the forum where I'm sure you'll get all the help you may need.

For a start, a binocular would be a very good instrument to begin with, it would be very usefull for getting to know the night sky and will remain usefull long term even if you end up getting a telescope. A 10X50 model is the usual recommendation but I wouldn't rush into buying one from Argos, there are much better options.

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Marki

Marki

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Hi Vikki

Binoculars are a great way to start, something like 8x40 or 10x50 - good if you can support them (like tripod or rest you arms of a chair or something). Dpwnload a free plantarium programme like Stellarium and this will help give an idea of what you can see. Or get a book like Turn Left at Orion - great for a beginner (although maybe better if you had a small telescope). I still regularly use my bins for those 5 minute gaps in the clouds - in good conditions the moon is stunning, and you can see the moons of jupiter, or even make out Saturn's rings (sort of - depends how good your bins are and how still you can keep them!). Or things like the Pleiades (the seven sisters) or even the Andromeda galaxy.

As for what to start with - check the binocular forum here, and maybe look at what our sponsors (First Light Optics) have to offer - drop them an email too - very helpful and I;m sure could help you choose something suitable.

Not sure if there is a local Astro society or observing group close to you? Might be worth a check to see.

All the best in the meantime!

EDIT - and welcome to SGL!

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Welrod50

Welrod50

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Hi Vikki and welcome to SGL. As Pete says, have a nosey at more types of Bino's before parting with your cash. The Argos ones may be fine, but I will suggest you would get some better ones for less money from a specialist astro shop. Also, try downloading the free software 'Stellarium' and have a play with that. It will help you to plan ahead for when you go outdoors :)

Good luck and keep up the stargazing. Be careful though, it is addictive! ;)

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Scott

Scott

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Hi Vikki. don't worry yourself about not knowing anything about telescopes/binoculars etc. thats what we're here for. any questions you have (no matter how silly you think they are) ask away, i bet they've been asked before. If you can, try binoculars before you buy a pair. some people (including me) just don't get on with them. However, if you do find them easy to use they are a great start. Before buying a telescope, make sure it is a good brand and stay away from high street shops. they tend to know less about what they're trying to sell you than you do.

Scott

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Vikkipink

Vikkipink

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Thanks for your help guys, I really do appreciate it! I will deffo look around at getting some 'bins/binos' (took me a while to work that one out :) ) and look at the books/downloads you suggested to help me! Thank you very much again, and I'm sure I will be requesting more help and advice in the very near future!!! Its all very additive, I made my bf drive lastnight so I could stargaze out of the car window as it was such a clear night in Harrogate! Thank you

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crazyjedi

crazyjedi

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Hi Vikki and welcome. Binoculars are a good place to start and have the advantage of being ultra-portable too. A fab book to help you find your way around the sky is ... Turn Left At Orion. It is a very good companion for your viewing sessions. Also download the free software Stellarium. It is very handy for planning your session but also useful in cases where you see a new bright star one night you can have a quick look at Stellarium and find out.

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VigdisVZ

VigdisVZ

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Grab a pair of bins and a starmap/app and get out there! Many times I use my binos for ease of use even though I have a heavy mount and a 6-inch newtonian available.

Best of luck and welcome to SGL!

Edit: And yes, like Marki and Rob said. Turn left at Orion is a superb book for someone in your situation.

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moogoomonkey

moogoomonkey

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I bought a pair from argos for like 20 quid and they had served me well. They were great for helping me learn the sky and I still use them about the same amount as my scope to scout out where I want to point it. Go for it and welcome to SGL!

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perrin6

perrin6

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I've just seen a pair of 18X-100X 28 (28mm objectives) zoom binoculars advertised on Argos's site as ' especially great for stargazing and astronomy'. This is almost unbelievably ignorant of the company to advertise them as such. 28mm might just almost passable at 5X but at 18X minimum will produce a very dull image indeed. Much better to invest in a pair of fixed magnification binoculars with at least 40mm but preferably 50mm diameter objective lenses and between 7 and 10 magnification.

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munro

munro

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I am starting like you. I bought a 6 inch reflector with a computer GOTO system having fallen for all the advertising hype. Trust me without a basic knowledge of the sky these are pretty useless. You can't even align the system without knowing some stars.

Believe me listen to the good advice you are being given and start with binoculars. I wish I had.

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