Hallofdreams Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Hi all, I just joined your group, and althought i know very little on the subject, I feel i know a lot more now since i have been going through some of your threads and topicsSince i do not have a telescope nor have i ever owed one, I would be glad of some pointers on the subject, as it seems there is such a choice out there. My main interest would be planets and astrophotograph. Price would be what advantage a few extre bucks would bring if any.I can see how some of you get so hooked on this, and i really looking forward to getting started myself, with i hope, a little bit of help from you. Many thanks Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion_the_Hunter Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Hi Steve, welcome to SGL. You're in the right place for great advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markophoto Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Hi SteveWelcome to SGL.Have you thought about learning your way around the night sky before you go and buy a scope?No reason why you can't go and get a scope if you want to, but if you want to build your knowledge, this can be done with very little outlay.Feel free to ask loads of questions, everyone is very helpful hereMarko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallofdreams Posted January 18, 2011 Author Share Posted January 18, 2011 Thanks for the welcome, I find the site very slick and a joy to use.Steve:icon_salut: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevelcfc Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 hi steve and welcomeyou have come to the right place for advicegood luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi Steve and welcome to the forum.The first pointer would be to take your time, "the stars aren't going anywhere!" There is a lot to read up on and it is very easy (we've all done it) to be seduced by some of the toys that are out there. My biggest pointer for you is to start looking through some kit. I am surprised at how many people buy kit without ever having looked through it to know whether it will meet their expectations. At this time of year (in addition to BBC's Stargazing Live) many local observing clubs and astro societies have public viewing nights and this is a great way for you to gauge the size and cost of these scopes versus optical gain etc. Another pointer is to read up a little before entering the 'dark side' (astrophotograph) . A book by Steve Richards, "Making Every Photon Count" will help you understand what kit you need, how to use it and why you need it to get the type of images you want. It doesn't follow that a scope good for observing naturally lends itself to imaging by simply attaching a camera on the back - if only it were that simple. In fact you get out what you've paid in and this book will provide you with a helpful overview that might indeed save you money. I wouldn't want your first image of a black hole to be a picture of the one in your wallet!Lastly, decide on a budget. Your research will also help you understand the other costs that maybe involved such as star maps, red torch, maybe a dew shield (dependng on the type of scope) and most importantly of all, eyepieces. Those that come with the scope are generally ok but won't necessarily allow you to get the most out of your kit if you are going to be observing. Faster scopes generally require better glass which means more expensive eyepieces. Keep asking questions because there is a lot of experience and knowledge on the forum.Clear skiesJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi Steve, welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave S Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi SteveWelcome aboard.Dave... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightfisher Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 hi steve, welcome to sgl, some good advice would be to get a pair of binoculars to start with, then when you decide on a telescope the bins will still work with the scope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnh Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Welcome to the Lounge.JohnH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan of Borg Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hello and welcome!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toshapetriji Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 welcome from mw too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd8137 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 hi and welcome ,knowledge is power ! they say,read read read as much as you can and learn constellation one at a time .i am still looking all around orion theres still lots to see there for me taurus is another one a like to spend time withtry in to tease every last little bit of light out of it cheers pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldfruit Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi Steve and welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallofdreams Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 Well you guys know how to make one feel welcome, and many thanks for that.Thanks for the tips as well and a copy of Making Every Photon Count is now high on my list.I see that a lot of you are using Celestron scopes, Nextstar 4-5-6 or 8 or a CPC 800 or bigger, So i ask myself is that the way to go, some of you must have had some painful flops before you got on the right road, Anyhow back to book.Here to a clear night to you allSteve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photohound Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi steve, i'm a newbie here myself, but to give you an insight into my approach to this question... the type of scope may well depend on whether you will be viewing from home (may be too much light pollution?) or taking your new toys out to a dark spot, whatever. So... big may not be beautiful at whatever price. I personally chose a small GOTO (computerised, motor-driven) scope setup with gps and camera adaptor so that i can go 'anywhere' and just look at whats about, this sort of set-up on fleabay could set you back less than a couple of hundred, and you can always stick it back on the bay when you want to go bigger (dont forget to buy a power tank or big battery as well). Longer term investment can then be channelled into improving on your experiences and equipment at the same time once you've really got the bug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Senior Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi Steve, welcome to the forum.I would also suggest a pair of Binoculars, 10x50's will serve you well and you can get to know where stuff is, and enjoy the views while saving the pennies for your scope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi Steve, a warm welcome to the SGL forum.John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbytate Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi Steve and welcome to sgl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hello Steve and welcome to SGL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Baby Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 HI and welcome from me as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Presland Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 hi welcome to sgl from bedfordshire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michigander Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Welcome to SGL, Steve!Dana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bino Pete Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Hello and welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Hi Steve and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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