Astronomical telescope

[Dick Dastardly]

Anyone know anything about these?

 

My 7 year old daughter has recently got really interested in the moon and stars.Want to get a telescope so we can do a bit of star gazing but haveno idea! So any suggestions for a cheapie and a basic book?

[chesters1]

this looks interesting

http://www.space.com/nightsky/

all you have to remember if your using an astronomical scope for bird watching it will be upside down (unless things have changed in the several decades ago i had one)

Edited November 5, 2009 by chesters1

[Dick Dastardly]

Thanks mate Ive just put that in my favourites.

[GlennB]

Take care Budgie. There are budget reflecting telescopes on the market with spherical mirrors. Don't get one.

A few years back I bought a Celestron Powerseeker 114 (4") on Ebay for about £80. Would thoroughly recommend it. Any bigger than 4" and the weight and price soars.

 

The scope comes with a DVD guide to the sky.

 

A snap I took using an eyepiece clamp, using my £15 second-hand fishing digi camera. With no clue what I was doing (oops sorry it's a bit big)

 

 

 

 

Edited November 5, 2009 by GlennB

[Alan Stubbs]

Hi Budgie,

 

Bernadette did astrophysics at university and she is passionately interested.

 

We're both members of the Liverpool Astronomical Society and have basic telescopes each. For a beginner, you can get something halfway usable for under £100. It isn't worth spending vast wedge at the outset.

 

The guys at the LAS say that as a starter you could easily get by using a decent pair of binoculars!

 

The link

 

http://www.binoculars-uk.co.uk/acatalog/Sk...Telescopes.html

is my telescope. Less than £180 all in.

For a little more, this is Bernadette's and a little more advanced but excellent value - more so than mine!: http://www.binoculars-

uk.co.uk/acatalog/Meade_DS2090_AT_TC_GoTo_Telescope_With_5_Eyepiece.html under £200.

 

As for books, the telescopes usually come with basic educational software and a book to get you started. By the way, it's also an interest of our own Steve Burke. There is very little light pollution at Wingham, so that is a great place to look at night.

 

In your area, check out http://www.ashfordastro.org.uk/website/ they've got a good reputation. They meet in Woodchurch.

 

You've got my phone number Budgie, if you want to talk about it, give me a call. and I'll phone you straight back.

All the best, Alan

Edited November 5, 2009 by Alan Stubbs

[Elton]

GlennB - that's a great photo, especially considering the budget!

[RobStubbs]

There's also some very good (and free) software about. There's a microsoft one that I can't remember but I have it at home, and a couple more that I also can't remember. I'm sure someone will point you in the right direction - or google, planetariams, star charts etc...

 

 

 

Rob.

[Colin Brett]

Anyone know anything about these?

 

My 7 year old daughter has recently got really interested in the moon and stars.Want to get a telescope so we can do a bit of star gazing but haveno idea! So any suggestions for a cheapie and a basic book?

 

Give this site a look

 

Ex. Greenwich observatory staff run it.

[Colin Brett]

Just had another thought on this subject!

Cambridge University Observatory have open nights in the winter. You might fancy bringing your daughter up to have a look through a real telescope!

 

learn more here

[Dick Dastardly]

As allways guys youve done me proud! Thanks for the brilliant information and sugestions.