So you want to buy a telescope? (or just study the night sky)

[Jean in Wisc]

#1

 

I suggest you 1st know the night sky and learn the constellations. Get a sky map, planisphere for you latitude, or some kind of sky chart. Get a red flashlight so that you don't loose your night vision every time you turn a light on (a regular flashlight with some red fingernail polish on the lens works too--adjust the amount of light by using fingernail polish remover). If you want to spend the money, get a laser pointer so that you can show each other what you are finding.

Lasers--see this post: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2181141#poststop

 

Read some books. This is one of my favorites:

http://www.amazon.com/Find-Constellations-H-Rey/dp/054713178X/

 

And I never go without this each year:

http://www.shopatsky.com/category/s?keyword=skywatch

 

And this is free and wonderful: Stellarium

http://stellarium.org/

 

McAfee and Nortons might consider Stellarium a virus, so you might have to go in and add them to the list of things they don't have to worry about.

 

#2

 

Look at the sky with a pair of binoculars. It is likely that you already have one.

 

Binocs--see this post: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2176737#poststop

 

If you prefer something that looks like a telescope but sees about the same as a pair of binocs, the

Galileoscope is a good option. I prefer a pair of binocs with a tripod over this, but your child might be dying for a scope, and this is a nice option:

 

https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/

 

Read some books! This is one of my favorites which includes stuff to look for with binocs:

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Watch-Astronomers-Observing-Celestial/dp/0471418048/

 

#3

 

If you still are interested in a telescope, I'd suggest you visit an astronomy club. Look through their scopes. Ask questions. Then...here are some to consider:

 

I love the Dobsonians. Best telescope for the money imo. Here is the one I have:

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=1-599-63-67-4295

 

It comes in a 4.5", 6", 8", 10"....and up.

 

You want a red dot finder or a telrad if it does not come with one--this is what I have and recommend highly:

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=1084&kw=telrad&st=2

 

Without a red dot finder, you will likely leave the scope in the basement or attic. Really. Don't ignore this.

 

You will need to collimate your Dob (get the mirrors lined up so that they reflect the light perfectly into your eyepiece). Ask what they recommend for a collimator. I have a good one, but you might not want to spend this much:

 

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=13100&kw=%20collimator&st=2

 

Most scopes come with a cap that is suppose to do the collimation...I've never used them. They are not as easy to use as a good collimator, but people make them work all the time, so you might be able to get by without buying something more. As I said, ask what they recommend.

 

If you don't want this big of a scope, if you want to use it to travel, if you want a smaller beginner scope, this is what I wrote someone today:

 

I called OPT today since so many folks have asked about small telescopes--these are the people I go to with my telescope questions when the astronomy club can't tell me what I need. They are #1 with customer service. I asked what beginner scope they would recommend for kids, for travel, small/compact (not the larger Dobsonian style scope), etc. The scope he loves the most is the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Reflector Telescope:

 

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=1-600-602-1119-9195

 

He said it is the best quality for the money--good optics, good tripod, rugged enough to travel well.

 

It already has a red dot finder on it. You should ask if they recommend your buying a collimator...and you can get a padded case for it under the accessories if you want it.

 

And then there is always this Astroscan:

 

http://www.scientificsonline.com/astroscan-plus-telescope.html

 

I've never used it, but some folks highly recommend it. It has the red dot finder and does not need collimation...but I'd get the tripod to go with it. Please if any of you own this, let me know what you think of it!!! :)

 

http://wardsci.com/product.asp?pn=IG0012042&cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Google-_-NULL-_-254201&mr:trackingCode=F65F975B-6581-DE11-8C0A-000423C27502&mr:referralID=NA

 

Read books. Sit in the isle at the book stores and thumb through the astronomy books to find something that suits you. There are lots of telescope books. The Starwatch (linked above) is a great place to start. There are lots of others that are really good, too.

 

Have I forgotten anything?

 

Blow those clouds away!!!

:)Jean

Edited December 8, 2010 by Jean in Wisc

[Moira in MA]

#1

And I never go without this each year:

http://www.shopatsky.com/category/s?keyword=skywatch

 

 

I was browsing and found this link doesn't work. It says too many results.

 

dh received a telescope for his 10 year anniversary at his company about a year ago -- it is still sitting in the basement. I'd love to get him to use it.

 

~Moira

[Jean in Wisc]

I was browsing and found this link doesn't work. It says too many results.

 

dh received a telescope for his 10 year anniversary at his company about a year ago -- it is still sitting in the basement. I'd love to get him to use it.

 

~Moira

 

Hm...The link works for me.

 

But this is another link--it takes you to the U.S. version. If you need the one for Canada or the International version, you can search for it on the Sky and Telescope website.

 

http://www.shopatsky.com/product/SkyWatch-2011-US/new-arrivals

 

Hope that works.

:)Jean

[Hunter]

I'm in a city. The best I can do is try to track the moon, as it hides behind the tall buildings. There is too much light pollution to see stars and planets. I love to keep track of the moon though.

 

I need to get a compass and...is it an astrolabe? I have an app on my iPod that gives me the moon's location, so I know where to look for it, but the app is kinda finicky. Does the magazine give moon location in degrees?

[Jean in Wisc]

I'm in a city. The best I can do is try to track the moon, as it hides behind the tall buildings. There is too much light pollution to see stars and planets. I love to keep track of the moon though.

 

I need to get a compass and...is it an astrolabe? I have an app on my iPod that gives me the moon's location, so I know where to look for it, but the app is kinda finicky. Does the magazine give moon location in degrees?

 

I don't think Skywatch will help you find the moon with a compass.

 

Stellarium (stellarium.org) will tell you north/south/east/west placement of the moon, and will let you watch it move across the sky on your computer screen--maybe this would help you. It does not give degrees since it is all recorded in hours of right ascension. (If someone wants an explanation of RA, let me know...)

 

If you have a view of the eastern sky, you might be able to see Venus even in the city. She is rising before the sun in the early morning. Venus right now looks like a star on steroids.

 

These might interest you:

http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon

http://tycho.usno.navy.mil/vphase.html

http://www.his.com/~pct/astronomy/lunar_log.html

http://planetariumweb.madison.k12.wi.us/mooncal/daymoon

http://www.csulb.edu/~gpickett/PS112/thexp3_4.pdf

http://www.optcorp.com/edu/articleDetailEDU.aspx?aid=1061

 

I'm glad you have the moon to follow. I don't know if I could live in a big city since I've fallen in love with the night sky!

 

Jean

[Moira in MA]

Thanks, Jean. The new link worked.

 

~Moira

[Hunter]

Thanks for the links :-)

 

All in all I have more opportunities to interact with nature here in the city than I did when I lived in the suburbs. More...but...different opportunities.

 

Urban ecology is FASCINATING!!

 

But the view of the eastern sky from my balcony is blocked by a very large sports stadium :-( I can only see things that rise in the north east and then are fairly high in the sky by the time they move fully eastward. I can also see things that set in the Northwest, but not full west. And south is on the other side of my building, so the view is completely obscured from my balcony.

 

Sometimes my girlfriend and I try to look up the coordinates and then roughly measuring degrees with the size of our fists, and a general sense of direction, run around the neighborhood hunting for a peek at the moon. It's kind of fun.

[MorningGlory]

Jean, what about a magazine?

 

My ds has asked for a subscription to an astronomy magazine for Christmas. Do you have a recommendation? I've looked at several...don't know which might be the best purchase long-term.

 

Thanks!

Jetta

[Jean in Wisc]

Jean, what about a magazine?

 

My ds has asked for a subscription to an astronomy magazine for Christmas. Do you have a recommendation? I've looked at several...don't know which might be the best purchase long-term.

 

Thanks!

Jetta

 

There are 3 that I am familiar with:

StarDate

The easiest of the 3 to understand. Less technical.

http://stardate.org/magazine

 

Astronomy

Easier than Sky and Telescope, but still has a lot of info for the amateur astronomer. This is the one I usually buy since I'm not the physics and math person.

http://www.astronomy.com/

Sky and Telescope

Most technical. Good magazine.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/skytel

[Nan in Mass]

Did you see the moon last night, Hunter? Low in the west? I thought it was beautiful.

[Jean in Wisc]

Did you see the moon last night, Hunter? Low in the west? I thought it was beautiful.

 

I saw it--a sliver of a moon. Gorgeous!

Jean

[Jean in Wisc]

I wrote this in reply to a friend who has struggled to stay outside due to cold feet. Thought it might help someone here, too:

 

This is the type of boot I have:

http://www.altrec.com/sorel-boots/womens-timberwolf-09-snow-boot

 

They are suppose to be good for -40, but when we are just standing around, my feet are always cold. Sorel, Columbia...lots of boots have a good rating. I'd suggest you simply look at the temperature ratings of the boots and choose from one that is really good. Make sure your boots have PLENTY of wiggle room for your toes, and if you are going to wear wool socks, take them with you when trying them on. I prefer boots that have a fairly thick sole since the cold comes up from the ground when standing still for a long time.

 

The best invention since sliced bread, however, are foot warmers.

http://www.warmers.com/Category.aspx?Cat=69&vis=0

 

I find them in hardware stores, Farm 'n Fleet, sports stores...lots of places. Some stores have better prices on them then others (F&F is our best buy in my area). I like the foot warmers much better than the toe warmers. The foot warmers keep the cold from coming up through the soles of my boots. Just be certain that you have enough room to wear them without scrunching the toes. I usually wear my "normal" socks when wearing foot warmers and wool socks if I am not. BTW, I cannot stand wool against my skin, so I buy socks that have wool on the outside and cotton or some other fabric on the inside. Often they are advertised as socks that help wick the moisture away from your feet.

 

BTW, I ALWAYS, ALWAYS put on a fresh pair of dry socks before going outside. Damp feet are freezing-cold-can't-stay-outside-one-more-minute feet. Sometimes I find the warmers on sale near the end of the winter and stock up on them big time.

 

I do have some toe warmers and I often use hand warmers--my kids stock up on hand warmers for hunting.

 

Hope this helps y'all! :)Jean

[lmrich]

Thanks for all the information. My son is taking an astronomy class with a fantastic teacher. Sadly every lab, except one, has been rained out. We will try these suggestions of yours. Thanks so much!!!

[Jean in Wisc]

Thanks for the links :-)

 

All in all I have more opportunities to interact with nature here in the city than I did when I lived in the suburbs. More...but...different opportunities.

 

Urban ecology is FASCINATING!!

 

But the view of the eastern sky from my balcony is blocked by a very large sports stadium :-( I can only see things that rise in the north east and then are fairly high in the sky by the time they move fully eastward. I can also see things that set in the Northwest, but not full west. And south is on the other side of my building, so the view is completely obscured from my balcony.

 

Sometimes my girlfriend and I try to look up the coordinates and then roughly measuring degrees with the size of our fists, and a general sense of direction, run around the neighborhood hunting for a peek at the moon. It's kind of fun.

 

In the northern hemisphere, the sun and moon are rising in the south east right now...but when summer comes, it will be rising in the north east. I wonder if it will be visible for you then? Around May? Something to think about.

 

:)Jean

[MorningGlory]

There are 3 that I am familiar with:

StarDate

The easiest of the 3 to understand. Less technical.

http://stardate.org/magazine

 

Astronomy

Easier than Sky and Telescope, but still has a lot of info for the amateur astronomer. This is the one I usually buy since I'm not the physics and math person.

http://www.astronomy.com/

Sky and Telescope

Most technical. Good magazine.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/skytel

Thank you, Jean! I think I'm going to buy the latest editions of the last 2 that you listed, wrap them up, and then let my son choose which one to subscribe to. My gut feeling is the last one...he is most interested in charting and plotting and mapping and calculating the heavens...not so much the actual beauty of the night sky.

 

Thank you for all of your information. After Christmas, I may post some questions to you about astronomy clubs. But right now, I've got too much to do! :lol:

 

Jetta