New member

[DannyMc]

Hi, I am a astronomy virgin, I have just bought my first telescope it is a Celestron Astromaster 130EQ md, is this a good choice or bad?

what is a good map of the sky to get?

any advice will be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

Danny.

[RK40]

Hello Danny, take a look at the book 'Turn Left at Orion' and also the 'App' Stellarium which helped me to get going quickly

[Ruud]

Hi Danny, welcome!

I don't know about the Astromaster, but I know what I would want as a first scope: A 6" F/8 dobsonian, or an 8" F/6.

Stellarium and Cartes du Ciel are good planetarium programs. Many of us have both. Excellent value, because both programs are free. Stellarium is the more beautiful and Cartes du Ciel prints the better charts. 

Enjoy the SGL

[nicoscy]

Hi Danny & welcome to the Lounge 

A good scope that will keep you busy for quite some time, so don't worry about your choice.

My atlas of choice for someone just starting is the Pocket Sky Atlas. Portable and the staple of most amateur astronomers, beginners or advanced due to its small footprint and decent information.

There are more specialised Atlases but that's for later 

[DannyMc]

Thanks Guys, Ill get stellerium now .

[ghostdance]

As RK40 suggested, plus:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/196278-what-can-i-expect-to-see/

↑One of the very as in must-read essential threads...

Welcome and have jawdropping fun

[nicoscy]

By the way, there is an astronomy club in Liverpool you may want to visit. Easiest way to immerse yourself in the hobby.

[Joel Shepherd]

Telescope: if you use it, it's a good choice. :-)  The worst choice is a 'scope you don't enjoy using. A 5" reflector on an EQ mount seems like a decent starting point to me.

Map: I've found the combination of "Left Turn at Orion", a simple "star wheel" and "Night Watch" (another book) to be a good combo for learning the constellations (important for getting oriented quickly), identifying objects of interest that you can see in a mid-sized scope and finding the more out-of-the-way ones.

Have fun! -- Joel.

[swag72]

Hi Danny and welcome to SGL - Glad that you found us and hope you enjoy your time here. In answer to your question, surely a good telescope is one that you use and are able to appreciate and learn the night sky with

Look forward to seeing you around

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Hi Danny welcome to SGL at 7 pm on Sat 1st November there is a star party planned at Wirral Country Park Thurstation being run by Liverpool Astro Society. Maybe worth a visit. Hoping to attend myself

[spoty1]

i can give you 2 key advices:

1)there is no such thing as "bad telescope"- the question is what your are trying to see with it.

2) Have fun with the scope you bought

 

Just like others advised to you- stellarium and “turn left…”  are great assets for anyone in this hobby, go out whatever you can and you will find great things to find.

[DannyMc]

Thanks for the guidance guys, my wife and I are re locating to Yenisar (Didim)  Turkey next April, we have a place on the beach on the Aegean Sea, the sky is so black and the stars so bright I cant wait to set the telescope up on the roof terrace and chilling with a glass or two of wine and wondering who is looking at our planet  . 

the lenses I have at the moment are  40mm/20mm/10mm/and a x2 barlow lense, I am a little frustrated as to what to use with what but I am sure I will work it out eventually

I intend to upgrade to an 8 or 10inch telescope before the move if I enjoy stargazing as much as I think I will, once again thanks for your help.

[DannyMc]

As RK40 suggested, plus:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/196278-what-can-i-expect-to-see/

↑One of the very as in must-read essential threads...

Welcome and have jawdropping fun

that was a brilliant read thank you, it looks like I will be investing in a 10inch telescope