Turnin' nerd...

[cebeu]

I've always wanted a telescope, don't know why, I just did. I received one over the holidays so I've been trying to learn a little bit about both the sky (Astronomy) and this supposedly simple but, overly complex for me device. Frankly, I haven’t learned enough about either yet but...I'm enjoying screwing around so far, I'll have to see how long the interest lasts (if at all).

I have learned three things; 1) This will definitely be a "warm season" only activity for me, 2) Extreme darkness and odd hours are a harsh reality to do it right and 3) Parts, accessories and "customizing" are as addicting as it is with guns (I've already spent more cash on a second eyepiece (9.7mm) and a Barlow 2x lens just like any ignorant "newb" would ).

If I can have some good "seeing" along the way of the lunar surface, Jupiter and a few of its moons and Saturn and her Rings, I'll be satisfied. I saw a really cool nebula last week, no friggin' clue which one and I'm certain I couldn't find it again if I had to but, that was an engaging experience. I will say this, using a telescope is more difficult than I ever assumed.

Anyone else here into "scopes" that are not mounted on a weapon?

[Irving]

Can you just look across town without the picture being upside down? Serious question. A telescope is one of those things I'd get if I had more money/time than I needed.

[funkfool]

I 'have' a 1000x120mm Galileo that I am in the process of selling... I used it a bunch when I first got it... not so much anymore... But they can get expensive.
Stuart: You can get an inverting adapter lens...

[cebeu]

Can you just look across town without the picture being upside down? Serious question. A telescope is one of those things I'd get if I had more money/time than I needed.

No. Mine is an astronomical scope, designed for such where achieving "right-side-up" views are discouraged as that only introduces cost and reduces image quality when viewing the night sky. Binoculars and Terrestrial spotting scopes provide "erect images." For the record, "I had no damned idea of this either until I experinced and went an researched it." Good question.

EDIT: I did not give a good or correct answer, let me edit. Mine produces a "Mirror image" which is right-side up but inverse view where as "other" telescope designs provide the completely inverted view asked about. Example, I look at the Peak from afar, it is correct but inverse from the human eye. Hope this makes sense.

[StagLefty]

Stuart: You can get an inverting adapter lens...

Stuart is gone-it's Irving now !!

Cebeu-sounds like an interesting new hobby,and as with every hobby-not cheap

[Irving]

cebeu: You live out in the woods with no neighbors to spy on anyway, so no need for an inverting adapter.

[cebeu]

cebeu: You live out in the woods with no neighbors to spy on anyway, so no need for an inverting adapter.

See my edit above, I'm floundering.

Yeah...I have what is considered "good and rare" seeing opportunity with less light polution, above 9000', no close heat sources (i.e. pavement) but...I have been gaining experience by "gawking at naked hotties in Phoenix" every evening from Conifer so..."

For the LE and such trolling the board...I'm kidding...I am totally f****** kidding. Do NOT come after me with a warrant for invasion of privacy, visual sexual assault, etc...as I cannot see naked women anywhere nor am I trying to other than the one I'm allowed to see.

[Aloha_Shooter]

The viewing can be better in cold weather but I know what you mean. Some of the newer telescopes can feed their display to your laptop and even be controlled by it so you could set the telescope up outside and run the display to a tent or shed with a small heater if you want. I've been meaning to get back into astronomy, just have too many hobbies taking up too much storage room already.

[ChadAmberg]

Yeah, telescopes are definitely an expensive hobby. I will say that most folks will get more than enough pleasure with a really good set of binoculars and a comfy lawn chair. Binoculars made for astronomy like a 9x63 are what you're looking for though, the bigger the front lens, with a moderate magnification, the better. Something like this: http://www.telescope.com/control/bin...x63-binoculars

Just never expect to see on your own what you see in photos.

[theGinsue]

When I was in HS I used to go to "Star Parties" put on by the American Astronomical Society.

Yeah, I was a science nerd.