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i'm new too! :D

katy

By katy
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radioactive

radioactive

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A big hello to you Katy from me here in Leeds. Enjoy the forum we value your input nowhere near enough Lady members here yet

What part of Astronomy are your interests in or is it like most of us starting out with a general awe for the heavens above?

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katy

katy

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thanks everyone! :) i'm near leeds too radioactive, and i'm really interested in everything to do with astronomy - so it's pretty hard for me to pick a specific part! i have soo many pics that i've got from the net, lol i'm kinda obsessed! do any of you use telescopes? :wink: x

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radioactive

radioactive

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thanks everyone! :) i'm near leeds too radioactive, and i'm really interested in everything to do with astronomy - so it's pretty hard for me to pick a specific part! i have soo many pics that i've got from the net, lol i'm kinda obsessed! do any of you use telescopes? :) x

Well if you are ever wanting to visit feel free to pop in and have a look through one of the scopes :)

Most of us here tend you use our Telescopes Katy in our Signatures we tend to list the scopes that we have although we only get allowed so many characters allowed to use on putting a list together we have to keep it short I think most of us swap n change lots of our equipment from time to time all part of learning if you also click on the word Observatory on my signature it takes you to see a little of my gear, for another example :wink:

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katy

katy

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well i am new to all of this & was hoping maybe you guys could recommend a few starter scopes to me as i don't know anything about them! lol, preferably not too expensive! as i don't have much money to play with right now being a student and such! :wink:

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Atik Man

Atik Man

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I would suggest visiting your local Asto group... There you will be able to play with a few scopes and see which you think would suit you and your budget best.

However, i'm going to stick me neck on the chopping block and say get an 8" F5 Newt on an HEQ5... Skywatcher will do the trick.

You'll have a good little set up for both visual observing and imaging, should you feel you want to go along that route.

The 8" F5 will give you good fast optics with a decent aparture. The HEQ5 will allow you to track the object you are looking at, and if it is set up correct and you understand what you are doing (I'm not being patronising here, steep learning curve with a computer aided mount) you can perform goto's to any object in your handsets databank... That little lot will set you back only £895.00 from First Light Optics.... See big banner at top of screen for link :wink:

895 isn't much for that kind of setup.... Some folk pay round £6000 for a single scope. Whilst most mere mortals will pay about a grand or there abouts for a single scope.... That isn't including their mount!!!

Mad Hobby..... :)

All good fun though.....

All the best

Rich

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katy

katy

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I would suggest visiting your local Asto group... There you will be able to play with a few scopes and see which you think would suit you and your budget best.

However, i'm going to stick me neck on the chopping block and say get an 8" F5 Newt on an HEQ5... Skywatcher will do the trick.

You'll have a good little set up for both visual observing and imaging, should you feel you want to go along that route.

The 8" F5 will give you good fast optics with a decent aparture. The HEQ5 will allow you to track the object you are looking at, and if it is set up correct and you understand what you are doing (I'm not being patronising here, steep learning curve with a computer aided mount) you can perform goto's to any object in your handsets databank... That little lot will set you back only £895.00 from First Light Optics.... See big banner at top of screen for link :)

895 isn't much for that kind of setup.... Some folk pay round £6000 for a single scope. Whilst most mere mortals will pay about a grand or there abouts for a single scope.... That isn't including their mount!!!

Mad Hobby..... :)

All good fun though.....

All the best

Rich

thank you so much for your reply :) it's going to take me a little while before i'll be able to get one :wink:, so i think what i will have to do for the moment is keep looking at all the fab pics on here! :hello1: x

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scotastro

scotastro

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Katy

Welcome to SGL. Spotted your message while waiting for the Space Shuttle to launch.

The suggestion on joining an AS is something to think about. The Leeds AS (http://www.leedsastronomy.org.uk/) is a good one - the Astrofest each November is well worth going to. Not too sure how many women are members. Bradford AS (http://www.bradfordastronomy.co.uk/) is another good one (was a member before moving to Scotland) - they have 4 or 5 women members.

Never be shy to ask questions - it is the only way to learn. Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question just stupid answers.

Scotastro

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G1ZmO

G1ZmO

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Hi Katy,

Don't be put off by Rich's estimate of £895! (Sorry Rich but she said she was a student!)

You can get great starter scopes for MUCH less than that.

Scopes don't tend to deteriorate with age much so shop around for a second hand one.

Personally I'd recommend a dobsonian type as you'll get the most apperture for least cost and the simple design allows you to start observing with a shorter learning curve than with an equatorial mount.

You could pick up a medium sized dobsonian (8") second hand for less than 200 quid or less for a smaller apperture. I wouldn't recommend going below 6" though.

All the best.

Paul

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Kaptain Klevtsov

Kaptain Klevtsov

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Welcome to SGL Katy, from Huddersfield. There's quite a few of us from W Yorks on here.

Regarding a starter 'scope, where will you use it (dark moorland site with no streetlighting, or city centre) and what space things interest you? The Moon is an easy target for a small 'scope (as in cheaper) but for distant galaxies you'll need something a bit bigger.

Kaptain Klevtsov

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jgs001

jgs001

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Hi Katy :wink: welcome to SGL. One of the cheapest and easiest options is to get a pair of Binoculars. You'd be surprised how much more you can see than just using your eyes alone. I think the general accepted minimum size is a 7x35 pair, but something like a pair of 10x50 (First number is magnification, second is the size of the objective lens in mm) are great. They also help with learning your way around the sky. I think it's true to say, that virtually everyone here has at least one pair. Have a look at Stargazing with Binoculars at the library as it's got a good section on how to choose a pair.

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dogfish

dogfish

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Hi Katy

Welcome to SGL. You've had some good advice so far, but really the best thing is to go and look through some telescopes and chat to some astronomers so joining a local astro club is definitely recommended. They're usually quite friendly and most have regular events for newcomers. One word of warning though, the view through a telescope is often a lot poorer than the images taken with specialist cameras, although views of the moon are just as good as the pictures. Enjoy learning more about it all, it's a great journey.

Cheers, Martin

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Atik Man

Atik Man

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Like G1ZmO said you can get scope rather a lot cheaper than what I suggested. However, that setup would last you years before you even wanted to both upgrading. So spending 200 - 300 now then maybe another 700 - 1000 later would work out costing more in the long run

:wink: G1ZmO, I read the student bit, and appreciate that most students don't have a great deal of money, but they also have some of the highest spending power too, depending on the student and how they look after their money. I could afford a lot more when I was a student than I can now. Back then there wasn't a mortgage, I had a nice big student loan and I worked every morning too.... loads of dosh if you looked after it :) :)

Anyway... I know where you are comming from and fundermentally you are right.... but I'll through this into the melting pot to see what comes out.. :)

Rich.

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