Anyone into astronomy/telescopes?

[Louise]

A few years ago I got really interested in astronomy and the planets - I did a bit of basic research, but because I 'thought' I could never see the planets I gave up.
Well, since this Lunar eclipse the other day I decided to give it another go.
Looked at a few telescopes and the like.
I know aperture is 'Bigger the better' but thats not always the case.
Who has a scope here? Ive seen a few,


Orion SkyQuest XT6 - Aperture 150mm and has a few lenses for around £180 2nd hand (£299 brand new) Im trying to see if I can get it cheaper but this seems to be a good scope.
Only downside is, its pretty big.

Seen a 2nd

1200-90 Seben Comet Telescope / Spotting Scope
The aperture is 90mm, a lot less but this is portable unlike the other (without a car) and a bit cheaper.

Both seem good, I would prefer the portable seben due to me being in the city the lights will make it harder to see further, but my OH lives just outside the main city and would be a great place to go and study.
Now im interested in the moon detail ect, but really would like to see Saturns Rings, and some of Jupiters moon's and some galaxy M31 ect and to be able to do astrophotography in the near future.

Dose anyone have a scope, which, price and what can you see?
My budget is around £200 -

[thegubner]

I wouldn't mind seeing venus's ring.






And maybe serena's too!

[yambabe]

Himself bought a telescope off ebay, 99p plus £35 postage from Hong Kong.

It's a "visionking", came with about 6 different lenses and a couple of viewers too, no tripod (he already has one) but you could add an optional one when you bought it.

He says it's the bollocks, I wouldn't have a clue.........
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[pa_broon74]

Hello.

I went to an Astronomy club up her for the best part of 20 odd years, (I know, but being able to point at things in the night sky is both romantic and can lead people to think you're a bit clever...)

You might want to consider a reflecting telescope, these are easier to transport (being smaller) and generally more versatile than refractors (they use lenses to collect the light.) What ever you do don;t by any thing with Tasco written on it cause they're made from cheese.

If you do go for a reflector, try and get one with a primary mirror no smaller than 4 inches; you should be able to get a 5 or 6 inch scope for £200.

Binoculars are also good, pick up a pair of 10x50's, with this you'll be able to pick up Jupiters galileans moons, see the Mars' disc, the Orion Nebula and a fair bit more.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BUSHNELL-Voyager-ASTRONOMY-Reflector-Telescope-176x-NEW_W0QQitemZ220203253403QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3636QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

A larger scope (70cm focal length) but a good deal.

Look for Meade, Celestron, bushnell

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEWTONIAN-REFLECTING-EQUATORIAL-TELESCOPE-150-mm-NEW_W0QQitemZ130199553496QQihZ003QQcategoryZ3636QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is another good example, (although I haven't heard of the maker...)

Good luck.[/url]
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Didn't catch anything.

[killa]

I’m really fascinated by space, astrology and what’s out there.
But buying a couple hundred quid telescope to see the same lights in the sky over and over again doesn’t seem like anything interesting to me.
Is it a case of, you buy a book, or read the internet, you find out the direction etc, and then look through your scope. You find it and think ‘yep, seen that one’

There are videos and pictures all over the net, great detail of anything and everything you’d see as a bright dot in the sky.

Why not save yourself some money and google it?
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[Madmanx]

I love astronomy even as far to get a good look at Uranus.
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[Weedy]

[pa_broon74]

[killa]

There's enough light pollution here, people forget there is space.

I can pull with just a look, so i don't need any nerd ammo.
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[JonB]

You what? You can really see Saturn's rings with a £200 telescope?!
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[pa_broon74]

[killa]

Can someone post a picture of Saturn on Wednesday and then again on Friday. If im astounded by what i see, perhaps you could justify 2-300 quid on a tube with a lense in it.

If not, id rather an Xbox 360 and Halo 3, then i can kill alien scum in my living room.
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[thegubner]

[killa]

I was thinking more along the lines of what you buy it for, and what you can get from such a purchase.

Granted some people don't like gaming or astrology, but....

A 360 for example has a whole array of extras to buy for it, hey you can even speak to friends and strangers on the net playing games. It's a right laugh, an ever changing, ever evolving media source, with the ability for even bed ridden/disabled people some fun.

A telescope is purchased, and you can by a bigger lense maybe to make the little light in the sky a bit brighter.

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[Azonicben]

What are peoples opinions about all this with a feckin huge pair of binoculars?
I live on the top floor with cracking views and binos seem the way to go.
similar to below
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BB-S-A-K-U-R-A-super-zoom-binoculars-15-180X100_W0QQitemZ300200304007QQihZ020QQcategoryZ10955QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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[thegubner]

Yeah but its about what you enjoy really, I wouldnt buy a telescope for a couple of undred quid myself, but then I wouldn't buy a games console either, I only have a playstation 2 cos it was free.

But I can understand people buying the things that take their fancy.

And I can understand what you are saying about the x-box, but it doesn't butter everyone's muffin.

[pa_broon74]

I wouldn't buy a telescope either and I have a mild interest in astronomy, (used to be a strong one but not so much so now.)

I think what it boils down to is this: Can you perv on attractive neighbours with an Xbox?

I think not.


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Didn't catch anything.

[veeeffarr]

The government have helped me with my dilemma of what I'd like to spend my money on, simply by taxing me so hard I never see any of it.

[JonB]

Just claimed my tax back today, no doubt HMRC will fuck it up, seeing as it is a government agency.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[veeeffarr]

[Louise]

[killa]

Looking at a massive rock every night that never changes in away way shape or form, for me, is a complete waste of time.
Whats more facsinating is watching videos from space and learning about what those guys are finding out about it.
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[Louise]

Yes I agree space videos in more interesting (Someone give me a few vids to d/l?)

Its just something I want, Its just a little over £100, thats not alot.
Maybe 2 PS3 games which are all a pile of rubbish at the moment

[pa_broon74]

[killa]

A bit like DIY archaeology....

"Wow, that's old"

"Look at this! thats really old"

"This used to be a pot of somesort"


Fascinating
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