Telescopes

I am new to this so all I want to see right now is the moon and a few planets and maybe a few galaxsees I dont want to get a that costs over 500 dollars yet seeing how I am new to this and might be a bad idea, because I wonld not know how to use it yet.

What would be a good telescope for a beingner

Here’s what is sold in my town

1.Tasco 40114675 Luminova 675×114mm Reflector Telescope

Here is a link to the telescope above

http://www.dogbytecomputer.com/xcart/catalog/product_7710_Tasco_40114675_Luminova_675×114mm_Reflector_Telescope.html

2.Bushnell 78-8831 NorthStar 525×3” GoTo Reflector telescope w/Real Voice Output

3.and a few Celestron types

The Tasco seems like a nice deal at a good price and is more than you need to see what you want to see.

I have a Computerized telescope – celestron nextar (base) / fastar (tube) and it says +12v output on the base with a round connection input. I’m trying to figure out how to use it, so do I just need to buy a regular 12v power cord from Radio Shack and plug it in?

Yup, that would work. The size of plug you need can be found here -
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_cc14.htm

Used to have an 8" Nexstar myself. Currently, I own a CPC1100. So here’s some handy advice, that I learned the hard way -

If your going to use the scope away from AC power, one of those 12VDC 17AH jumper batteries will work just fine for almost 2 evenings.
http://www.nextag.com/portable-battery-jump-starter/shop-html

The other option is to use a deep cycle gel battery (non-spillable). And a proper recharger (Battery Tender Plus works very well).
http://www.batterystation.com/gelcell.htm

To figure out how big of a battery you want to get is fairly simple.
Your scope will draw a minimum of about 0.5A of power just idling. When it is slewing (moving to an object), it can draw up to 1.5A. I just round that up to 2A. For a typical night, plan on about 4 hours of observing time minimum.

So 2 amps for 4 hours is 8 Amp-Hours of power used. Typically, you do not want to discharge a battery below 50% of its rated capacity, so double the power used, or 16 AH, rounded up to 20AH.

See how that works? For me, I can go for a week at a remote site observing run (like a star party), I need at least 5 nights of power, 16AH time 5 is 80AH, which is fine, but I round up to 100 AH, just in case I wind up observing longer.

If you have AC power, so much the better. I still recommend getting a unit that can deliver at least 2 Amps (at 12VDC) to the scope. Something like this works great. But be sure to check the DC plug to see if it is the correct size.
http://www.mini-box.com/60w-12v-5A-AC-DC-Power-Adapter

Hope this helps and Clear Skies!

Do you consider a 10 inch a small or large telescope?? On a scale from 1 to 10 how would yall rate the skyquest xt10

Hello Blackhole -

The 10 inch is an excellent choice, with which you will be able to see the following from a reasonably dark site:

1. All of the planets (maybe not Pluto – I have an 11 inch Celestron and I’ve never bothered to try), the rings and a few moons of Saturn, storm belts and 4 moons of Jupiter, the crescent shape of Venus (when it is on our side of the sun).
2. Great terrain features on the moon.
3. All of the Messier objects (ghostlike nebulae, beautiful star clusters, distant galaxies) – that’s 106 deep sky objects.
4. Many deep sky objects that were not seen by Messier – like the Veil Nebula and NGC4565 – a famous edge-on galaxy with a striking dust lane across the nucleus.

I think this a great scope, with the understanding that astrophotography, as mentioned above, is not really an option. Also, be aware that without a clock drive, you will have to continuously move the scope manually to keep objects centered in the field of view (due to the rotation of the earth). So if you are planning on doing classroom demos, you may want to consider a catadioptric or a reflector with an equatorial mount and a clock drive.

Also, if you decide to go bigger, you may have trouble lugging it around and setting it up. So, all in all, I think you are making an excellent choice. Good Luck and Clear Skies!

I’m using a Meade LightBridge 10" DOB, and I’m not sure what program I need. I’m borrowing the camera from my school, so I don’t have the software. Help, anyone?

You will need the Autostar Suite software on the disk. I don’t know of anyone who has just the disk without an imager with it. You might try to contact Meade to see if they can send you a disk.

If your Lightbridge doesn’t have a motor drive (JMI Inc makes an add on Dob Driver for the Lightbridge series) you will be limited to a few seconds of video before your target moves out of view. The Meade LPI is a webcam type imager. It shoots a video movie (well it can take single frames but that isn’t its strength) that can have the best frames aligned and combined to form a much sharper and detailed image than would otherwise be the case because of variable atmospheric seeing (the clarity of the view will vary from second to second). The best images taken from webcam movies are using motor driven telescopes with movie lengths of 30-120 seconds.

Unless you can get the Autostar Suite software, its unlikely you will be able to work it. You might consider getting a digital camera adapter and do afocal photography if you have a digital camera. Some of my best shots have been done this way.

I have a Canon 30D and would like to hook it up to some sort of telescope to help get some good close ups.

What do you suggest?

You can find several reference books at orion telescopes as well as many different kinds of adapters to mount your camera on a telescopes. Of course, they sell many different kinds of telescopes. They have an on-line tutorial abuot astrophotography, also. You can find them at www.telescope.com Near the top of the page, click on the link to "Learning Center." Enter "photography" in the search window and you will get 20-some references. Of course, they will mention Orion products, which I find to be excellent, but you can use the information anyhow, even if you are buying or using someone else’s products.

Mount: Tall Floor Stand

Read the rest of this entry »

Celestron introduces LensPen Optics Cleaning Tool 93575 . A superb tool in optical lens cleaning technology. Perfect for cleaning binocular lenses, small aperture spotting scopes and telescopes , eyepieces and other optical items. The Celestron Lens Pen comes with a handy retractable dust removal

Read the rest of this entry »

Features a big 150mm parabolic mirror.The Orion SkyQuest XT6 gathers 80% more light than a 4.5″ mirror for brighter, more detailed images. Incorporates a springless CorrecTension system for superior tube balance and tracking control, a navigation knob” for easier slewing.The Orion SlyQuest XT6 comes complete with a 1.25″ rack-and-pinion focuser, a Sirius Plossl eyepiece and finder.This version does not have the ability to “find” objects for you. If you want this feature, take a look at the Orion SkyQuest XT6 Intelliscope Dobsonian!The XT6 is out of stock and is expected to start shipping in late February, 2010. Place orders now for earliest delivery.

Read the rest of this entry »

Meade’s fully automatic on-board computer is a night sky expert and is ready to take you on a guided tour of over 30,000 celestial objects! Save almost $200* on a professional quality telescope that lets you probe the depths of the Milky Way, tour the moons of Jupiter, study nebulae and more! It features a 90mm refractive lens for exceptional light gathering capabilities plus a huge 800mm focal length. And for exceptional ease of use, the on-board AutoStar computer with handheld controller automatically locates and points the telescope to 30,000 celestial objects and all you have to do is press Go To! Also has premium 6, 12, 17, 20 and 25mm 1-1/4 eyepieces, electronic red dot viewfinder, adjustable aluminum tripod with accessory tray and altazimuth mount. 90-day limited warranty. There’s nothing more frustrating than setting up your telescope hoping to view a specific star, galaxy or celestial event and then hunting for half an hour and not finding it! Meade AutoStar finds the star for you no guessing, no searching, just great educational fun!

Read the rest of this entry »

Featuring an 80mm aperture, the NexStar 80 GT is a wide field explorer with a 3.25-degree field of view capable of capturing the large deep-sky objects. This short-tube, 400mm focal length refractor telescope takes you into space with a 16X and a 40X magnification eyepiece. The pre-assembled adjustable aluminum tripod and quick-release coupling knob make the NexStar 80 the most portable of the NexStar series.The NexStar 80’s wide field of view is optimal for scanning large areas of the sky and for superb terrestrial (land) viewing. The NexStar 80’s 3.1-inch diameter will provide views that are 80 percent brighter than 60mm scopes. This additional light gathering ability will allow you to view more deep sky objects.

Read the rest of this entry »