Telescopes (Full Version)

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Jenny-Fair -> Telescopes (7/20/2008 3:08:18 PM)

Nate is wanting to save up his money and buy a telescope. He has http://www.thisnext.com/item/FB99FFDF/National-Geographic-Telescope right now, he got it for Christmas, and it's ok but not really strong enough for what he wants to do, which is mainly planet gazing, I believe.

Basically we don't know what we want, and he doesn't know how much he should save up. Anyone know?



TMeeks -> RE: Telescopes (7/20/2008 8:18:03 PM)

You can find relatively low-cost microscopes that actually work quite well. But, you cannot find a low-cost telescope that works well.

The lowest price on an acceptible 'starter' scope that I could find is $250 at Costo.

Bushnell Northstar

I purchased one of these for my granchildren because they insisted that they wanted a telescope. But, it just sits there, like so many other telescopes around the world. It's probably THE most underused science tool that people own. They are young, so it will be used more in the future. And, they do not live in 'Big Sky' country, which also effects how much a telescope is used. But, for the money it is a reasonably nice telescope with electronic tracking, etc.

What really makes a telescope useful is to get one that is in the $1000+ range along with adapters to fit a digital camera. People who go this route REALLY get excited about their telescopes because it is still possible for a novice to find new heavenly bodies with this setup.

But, no matter what, you can't go cheaply and have anything worth using a lot. And, I am very disappointed that National Geographic and the Science Channel push the low end products as being 'real'. It's almost impossible to actually get it stable enough to use.

The best place to compare prices on telescopes (Aside from the one that Costco sells) is B&H Photo.

When you get to the B & H Photo site, enter "Motorized Telescope" in the search field. You can then sort on the cost from low to high to compare features at different levels. While one doesn't have to have a motorized telescope, it's very helpful for younger star gazers.


quote:

ORIGINAL: Jenny-Fair

Nate is wanting to save up his money and buy a telescope. He has http://www.thisnext.com/item/FB99FFDF/National-Geographic-Telescope right now, he got it for Christmas, and it's ok but not really strong enough for what he wants to do, which is mainly planet gazing, I believe.

Basically we don't know what we want, and he doesn't know how much he should save up. Anyone know?



creationtalk -> RE: Telescopes (7/20/2008 8:26:20 PM)

As TMeeks said, decent telescopes cost in the few hundred dollar range (and up). Edmond-Scientific is my usual site for this type of purchase, though it may be possible to get similar telescopes in other places for less money.

There is also a lot of "backyard" type astronomy that can be done with binoculars.



TMeeks -> RE: Telescopes (7/20/2008 11:22:47 PM)

Here is a site that backs up your suggestion.

I really think that a telescope, until one is ready to spend some serious money, is actually a poor investment. A good spotting scope or, as you said, a great pair of binoculars is probably a better idea.

quote:

ORIGINAL: creationtalk

As TMeeks said, decent telescopes cost in the few hundred dollar range (and up). Edmond-Scientific is my usual site for this type of purchase, though it may be possible to get similar telescopes in other places for less money.

There is also a lot of "backyard" type astronomy that can be done with binoculars.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Telescopes (7/20/2008 11:29:47 PM)

Thank you for the info.

What is a spotting scope? And how strong should the binoculars be? He has a pair (on his belt at all times, lol) but I don't think they are that strong.



TMeeks -> RE: Telescopes (7/21/2008 12:42:41 PM)

It isn't so much the POWER that is significant as the light gathering and sharpness quality of the glass. A 20x magnification with good glass is better than 150x with poor glass and that is the problem with most consumer telescopes. They have the magnification; but, the glass is so poor that it disperses different color frequencies unevenly.

Here is the kind of binoculars that would give a lifetime of use. I have never used these; but, the minute I saw them and read the description, I knew that the binoculars would be easier and definitely more used than the scope.

Now, these are NOT designed to be handheld. They are meant to mount onto a tripod and there is one listed under accesories that would probably do OK. They are too large and too powerful for handheld use.

SkyMaster Binoculars

Other astronomy binoculars

A spotting scope is essentially one half of a powerful set of binoculars. I have one of these. Like the binoculars they are useful for birds, the moon, seeing distant objects, etc. and the image is rightside up. Here is a sample of a spotting scope. They are also nice to own.

Here is a typical spotting scope that might be useful. Again, you would need a tripod to make it stable.







quote:

ORIGINAL: Jenny-Fair

Thank you for the info.

What is a spotting scope? And how strong should the binoculars be? He has a pair (on his belt at all times, lol) but I don't think they are that strong.



TMeeks -> Digital Camera as a Telescope (7/28/2008 8:09:40 AM)

One telecopic resource that is often overlooked is a digital camera. The best investment, in terms of science, is an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) because you can fit a variety of lenses on them.

Here is a link to a thread that shows what can be done with a 70-300mm lens photographing the moon.

Moon Shot - Digital SLR

And, while this next shot isn't the best image in the world due to the plexiglass tank and murky water, this is a shot taken at the other end of the spectrum, 50mm, at the Camden Aquarian's Hippo tank.

Hippo Shot - Digital SLR



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