Close
Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Machine Gunner
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Tulsa
    Posts
    2,288

    Default Any telescope users?

    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
    Last edited by fitz19d; 07-02-2016 at 09:40.

  2. #2
    Gives a sh!t; pretends he doesn't HoneyBadger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    C-Springs again! :)
    Posts
    14,803
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    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.
    Last edited by HoneyBadger; 07-01-2016 at 20:56.
    My Feedback

    "When law and morality contradict each other, the citizen has the cruel alternative of either losing his moral sense or losing his respect for the law." -Frederic Bastiat

    "I am a conservative. Quite possibly I am on the losing side; often I think so. Yet, out of a curious perversity I had rather lose with Socrates, let us say, than win with Lenin."
    ― Russell Kirk, Author of The Conservative Mind

  3. #3
    Guest
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Westminster, CO
    Posts
    2,741

    Default

    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

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •