Re: What does it cost for a newcomer to astronomy?

There are a few old platitudes that haven't been spouted yet, so I'll go
ahead and spout them...
In the past, it was always recommended to learn the sky before you
buy a telescope. Learn the major constellations naked eye, and learn
how to find deep sky objects with a decent pair of binoculars. Now
days, with GOTO telescopes that can find things for you, this is often
disregarded. I still remember doing this as a fun, rewarding, thrill,
and I still think it's good advise. There is a LOT of stuff you can see
with a pair of 7 or 10 by 50 binoculars, and you'll use 'em even after
you get the scope of your dreams.
Astronomy doesn't have to be expensive. There are a number of guys
in this group who are "financially challenged" who are staples of the
group. Of course, a wonderful, and expensive, scope is a treasure, but
if you go out under a dark sky with only your naked eyes and a
planisphere and begin to recognize some of the constellations, I promise
you that you won't be able to sleep that night. The same thing goes
when you pick up that first deep sky object in a pair of binoculars. If
these things don't give you a charge that keeps you awake that night,
you probably won't get much out of a telescope anyway.
When it comes time to buy a scope, the advice given about going to
a star party and looking through various type of scopes and talking to
the people that the telescopes own, :) is good. If there is nothing
like that around you, READ READ READ, and check out the scope buying
advise from this group.
Have a good time! This is a hobby that can make your entire life
better!
Marty

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Choice of Telescope - aperture / portability
    ... pair of binoculars to be much better than any telescope. ... larger 'observation' binoculars), ... When my main scope is imaging, ...
    (uk.sci.astronomy)
  • FS: Telescope, binoculars, tripod REDUCED
    ... FS: Telescope, binoculars, tripod REDUCED ... > The scope is now too heavy for me, so I need the funds to ... Excellent condition throughout, with all caps. ...
    (uk.rec.birdwatching)
  • Re: Supermoto Night Ride: Seeing Stars
    ... Harrell boys looking at the waxing moon through my binoculars. ... if anyone could use a good telescope it would ... There is a spotting scope on top with a little red dot ...
    (rec.motorcycles.dirt)
  • Re: Scope or binoculars for 12-year-old boy?
    ... I'd go with the Orion dob in a 4.5" or 5", ... He may have ADD but owning and using a telescope may help him ... binoculars are the best value tool around, and are so damn portable, ... 'choice' scope. ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: MEMO to Meade: How to write an honest news release
    ... > a mak cass can have a spherical mirror or it can have an aspherical ... Telescope Optics by Rutten & van Venrooij? ... I'm assuming your scope will reach focus with this diagonal. ... plus the thickness of the mirror to the front, where the hole is that can be ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)