Opinion on this telescope for an amateur?
915694
That would be an OK telescope for the price. But it wil be dissapointing. It is an OK beginers scope but for 50 or 60 more you could get a better Reflector (note: not a refractor). What you have would be OK for viewing the planets and the Moon. To really get your moneys worth I would suggest getting better eye pieces. But these would cost quite a bit ($30-$130 or more) so I would just get another telescope.\n\nIf you want to view stars and nebulae and galaxies I would go for a Reflector. The bigger the aperature (the diameter) the better, and more expensive. I would say that what you got is OK but not great. \n\nIf your boyfriend finds he likes astronomy and wants something a bit better but not break the bank then I would suggest geting a Meade ETX-125 ($500 on Ebay) or ETX-90. They have an auto guide (they follow the stars) and a computer that lets you select what you want to see from a menu and it just goes there (some set up required). And a bunch of other stuff.\n\nIf he wants  the good stuff I would suggest the Meade LX90GPS or the LX200R. These are big and expensive but very nice!\n\nI think what you got was OK for your boyfriend to try and find out if he likes it. But a relector would have been better and not much more expensive. Look on ebay for a reflector. You should beable to find a basic one for 150-200. \n\nI would suggest that if your boyfriend wants bigger telescope to do research on what would be best.
124949
telescope,book on subject,carl sagan,call nasa,go see johnson space center,or you serious,most will just use thisQ:, to get 2 pt.s,not me i work for my 2.if uwant it do not give up,get help on yo quest.you,ll be lucky if some like a expert on space, see,s yourQ:,but ask it ovtin.
666230
You're talking about a Class 4 laser.  \n\nThis is more than you can do in a science project.  A laser like that would have high voltage and the light could easily blind you, and the components would be more expensive than you think.  The assembly and alignment is a very fussy procedure, and can't be done in a home workshop, due to the dust that's everywhere.  \n\nMaybe you could make a twyman-green interferometer, for measuring curvature of glass, but it won't be very dramatic.\n\nI figure that a motivated adult with some electronic and physics background, $50K, and a lot of time on his hands might be able to do it in a year.\n\nIf you're into optics, you can do some demonstrations with the beams from laser pointers....
209736
Not that much attractive still lot of scope to improve.\n\nCannot find any thing good. \nIt lacks goog quality pictures. There are lots of better websites and discussion forums available.
111046
The Bradford telescope at the website below is the best:\n\nhttp://www.telescope.org/
628131
It depends on what you want to observe. For the planets and moon, you can do very well in the city. If you want to see galaxies and faint nebula, you want the largest aperture you can get.\n\nLet me recommend to resources. First, start monitoring www.astromart.com It the classified section for astronomers. But before you buy anything, go to http://skyandtelescope.com/resources/organizations/ and find your local astro club. Contact them to find out when their next public night is and go. You'll get to look through a lot of different telescopes at a lot of different objects. By the end of an hour or two, you will know what interests you most and what kind of telescope you want. And, you are likely to get a good deal as there are always members looking to upgrade from their first scope.\n\nIf you are intersested in astronomy, try\nhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing \nYou will find a large number of amateur astronomers who are glad to help.\n\nChuck
784963
Lots of options and opportunities to specialize in that price range.\n\nA few possibilities: \nCatadioptric: 12" Meade LX200R http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/SH2RX8FAHP0M9KU9QPNE5T8P61/product_id/12210RU\nDob-Newt: 14.5" Starmaster\nhttp://www.starmastertelescopes.com/new14.htm\nor 15" Obsession\nhttp://obsessiontelescopes.com/telescopes/index.html\nRefractor: 130mm TMB Signature (you'll have to skimp on the mount to stay under $5k; maybe a used GM-8)\nhttp://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/X9S97ENNVDED9JVW6C3HAN0S10/product_id/TMB130\nor a 102mm Stellarvue and plenty left for a good mount\nhttp://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?t=&pid=11163&m=93
469982
Congrats on your buy.I would suggest taking a non-credit introductory course to learn the basics.Alot you can teach yourself by experimentation.Have fun!!
987677
Think about it as if you were buying it.  How much would you be willing to pay for it?  Don't get outrageous with the prices because most everything is probably used!  Good luck and have a lot of fun with it.  I am having one pretty soon!
1134720
Hi, great question.  I got a new telescope a year ago and have found a couple of excellent sites.  First try 'skyandtelescope.com'  this site has several features including a sky chart.  Enter your info, and it gives hour by hour info on whats up there to see, as well as info on upcoming events.  It offers 'how to advice' for telescopes, binocs and  astro photography.\nThe second is 'astromart.com'   this is one of THE BEST and most helpfull sites I have been to.  What a great forum.  Several active members are well known scientists and professors as well as very knowledgeable amature astronomy buffs.  No question is to stupid for them and you won't find a better place to gain advice and knowledge.   Questions posted are answered very quickly, usually in no more then a few hours, sometimes immediately.  Try both of these, I'm sure you will find what you need.    They are both  free of charge, believe it or not!!!\n\nLet me know what you think,  my s/n on astromart is lilkritter!!  Good Luck!
576194
Absolutely Yes. No self respecting amateur astronomer would be without his binoculars. I have 10x50, which is a little higher magnification than the "standard" 7X50 recommended for astronomy, but some amateurs go for giant ones, like 15x100 and larger. Binoculars are very good for viewing comets, larger galaxies, nebulae and star clusters, especially from a really dark area. Many such objects are quite large, but dim. For example, the famous Andromeda galaxy actually appears several times BIGGER than the Moon does, although it isn't nearly as bright. And binoculars are easily taken along in the car to those remote places where you have to go to see really dark skies.
622348
Sorry I can't help ya dude, BUT I'm a big time fan of Orion's products.  I own a 10 x 50 OUTSIDER from Orion, and the optics are out of this world.  Extreme clarity, even around the edges.  I haven't found another binocular that can top it!  I've always wondered about those simply gorgeous views of wide stellar swaths!  I'm not endorsing here, just stating a fact Orion has quality equipment.
854245
I agree that the Orion 4.5" reflector is a good choice. It is also a good idea to start with a good pair of binoculars. In that case, if the interest in astronomy fades, the binoculars can still be used for other things (bird watching, etc) Get a pair of 7x50 binoculars that are multi-coated.
49711
this is subjective - but - Celestron has been having financial troubles, and was bought by another Far east company, whereas Meade seems to be doing pretty well, and has invested quite a bit in new automated manufactuting in Calif. So if you are talking about their SCT scopes, I think current Meades are likely better than current Celestrons, but the scopes are not all "exactly" the same, and you might find an example of a new celestron that does have better optics. There smaller non-sct scopes are in general, made in the far east and are likely pretty much the same quality.  Again, this is highly subjective, and 10 people will give you 11 opinons.  Meade has just introduced there new RC line, which the current issue of Sky and Telescope raves about as really superior to the SCTs.
96450
Astronomy for the novice:\n\nhttp://www.astronomyforbeginners.com/\nhttp://www.astrocentral.co.uk/beginners.html\nhttp://www.observers.org/beginner/\nhttp://www.dustbunny.com/afk/\nhttp://www.as.wvu.edu/~planet/lnk_amat.htm\nhttp://www.science-projects.com/Astro/AstronomyBB.htm\nhttp://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/3230/intro.html\nhttp://education.nasa.gov/home/index.html\nhttp://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/games/connect.html\n\nHope this helps.
996119
Nice to see an Indian on here!! I'm an Indian too! Maharashtrian and mainly from Pune city. Yeah, you can get telescopes in India and the prices do vary dependent upon the power it has. An average telescope that can allow you to study the solar system in a glance is available at Rs. 7000. I saw one in an exhibiton, but sorry can't really specify where you can get it. Give me your mail id and if i find anyone selling it, I'll give you the whole details. why don't you make one?? that's a great idea, cause i have made one myself that is as cheap as Rs. 500!!
243874
First, the type of telescope you want depends mainly on what kind of observing you want to do. If you're mostly interested in deep space, get yourself what's called a REFLECTOR. I have an 8" Meade reflector and under good "seeing" conditions can observe just about every star in our galaxy visible from the Northern Hemisphere, plus structures beyond the Milky Way up to about 10-billion light years. Just be sure and buy a reflector system that has a clock drive. This makes it possible to stay locked on to some object without having to constantly move the 'scope tube to compensate for Earth's rotation.\n\nIf you're into Solar System observing, then a refractor will do nicely. They don't gather as much light as a reflector, but the resolution is much better--plus images aren't inverted as with most reflectors.\n\nCelestron Inc puts out the Cadillac of telescopes, but Meade provides very good products at less cost. Do NOT buy any telescope from retail stores like K-Mart, Sears, etc.,. Most of the stuff is cheap junk. Either buy mail order from Celestron or Meade, or visit a store that sells nothing but astronomy-related things.\n\nGod is spelled B-I-G B-A-N-G\nPBrax@netscape.com