Any telescope users?

[fitz19d]

Wife is interested in telescopes. Not currently into the naked eye night events some of my friends like to watch so it's all new. Anyone know some good resources for her to get started? I know a tiny bit but hoping for her to do her own research.

She said she looked for a local Colorado forum and didn't see anything but I'm sure there is unless there's a major national forum with maybe a by state sub section?

Here's the scope she was looking at. I know enough to avoid cheap ones that advertise how many x it is. I'm not sure if a go to is worthwhile for her starting out. Don't want to get crap, but controlling costs good too until i know it's going to take off for her.

Amazon.com : Sky-Watcher 12 Photo

[HoneyBadger]

www.heavens-above.com
www.n2yo.com
www.space-track.org
www.space.com
www.spaceflightnow.com


I know Colorado Springs has an official astronomy club, but that might be more than you're willing to drive.

ETA: Celestron makes some pretty good scopes with the ability to automatically orient and then track thousands of objects, from the ISS to planets, stars, and more. I have one of these and it is really great: https://www.google.com/search?espv=2...30.j-LuIOtCKWc
The 8SE would be an order of magnitude better, but I couldn't afford it at the time.

[Dave]

That's a nice scope and not a bad price. 12" is pretty big for a beginner, but if you stick with it you'll be good using it for most objects in the solar system and even some minor details on closer galaxies. A big problem with dobsonian telescopes is it's hard to find a reliable goto kit if you want to take photos through it or use a laptop to control it. They're out there, but more expensive. They are however, much easier to setup than other styles. Other accessories are easy to get, a good Celestron accessory kit for newtonian reflectors will have a good range of eyepieces and filters. Check out Chamberlin Observatory at DU when they have their star parties as other stargazers will bring their telescopes out and most are eager to answer any questions you might have about their operation and limits. Next one is July 9, and if you want to go in and look through the 20 inch refractor they have it's $2 per person, free if you stay outside. http://www.denverastro.org/das/event...nstance_id=950