Telescope pricing

[xXxDarkSkyNitexzxXx]

Hi i am 14 and i wanted a telescope. But im newb at getting one. I wanted to buy one form ebay but i scared i will be scammed or something like dis can someone tell me wads the average price for a deep space telescope? or recomend me something good. What do u mean when u say deep space telescope wad differences does it have compare with a normal one. Can i see further?

[Dave Mitsky]

You're wise beyond your years to inquire about telescopes before buying one instead of anxiously wondering how well you did after the fact.

Personally, I would be very hesitant about purchasing a telescope from eBay. A lot of junk has been unloaded there by some reports.

A deep-sky (the preferred term) telescope is one that will provide good views of extended deep-sky objects, which consist of open and globular star clusters, "diffuse" nebulae (dark, emission, and reflection), planetary nebulae, galaxies, and galaxy clusters. Due to the physics of light that means one with a large aperture, i.e., a large objective lens or primary mirror. Because the vast majority of deep-sky objects visible through amateur instruments are rather dim, light grasp or light gathering ability is paramount in such a telescope. A large aperture allows you to see farther and fainter.

Since the Newtonian reflector presents the "best bang for the buck" in terms of aperture, most deep-sky telescopes are large Newtonians, in particular, ones with alt-azimuth Dobsonian mounts. Typically such telescopes have low focal ratios (f/ratio is the ratio of a telescope's focal length to its diameter) of less than f/6. A low f/ratio telescope is considered to be "fast", a term that originally used in photography, and will provide a lower power, wider field of view with a given eyepiece than will a normal f/ratio (f/6 to f/10) or slow scope (f/10 and higher). However, despite what many amateur astronomers mistakenly believe f/ratio does not determine image brightness when it comes to visual observing. Aperture does (see myth #3 at http://www.televue.com/engine/page.asp?ID=141 ).

A 10 inch Dob is probably the best compromise between price, weight, and portability for a novice who is primarily interested in DSO observing. Both Orion Telescopes and Binoculars (the XT10) and Hardin Optical (the DSH-10) currently have such telescopes on sale for less than $500 USD. I believe that you are from Singapore so you may be able to get a much better deal than that locally since these scopes are made in China or Taiwan and are sold under various names abroad.

Unfortunately, no matter how large a telescope you buy a dark observing site is essential for DSO observing. Since you live in light polluted Singapore, perhaps a smaller, higher f/ratio telescope would prove more useful.

Some good DSO sites:

http://members.aol.com/anonglxy/deepsky.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/id/jsredshift/

http://www.blackskies.com/

http://hometown.aol.com/billferris/

http://messier45.com/

http://www.psiaz.com/polakis/astro.html

http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/supp/cats.html


Dave Mitsky

[xXxDarkSkyNitexzxXx]

thxs for the reply dude. I appreciate it and ehmxz nice websites u introduce to me i sure will bookmark them thxs thxs.

[Dave Mitsky]

You're welcome.

Here are some more DSO links:

http://observers.org/beginner/deep.sky.html

http://www.webbsociety.freeserve.co.uk/

http://www.skyhound.com/sh/dso_guide.html

http://www.bluebirdobs.org/DeepSky/deepsky.html

http://www.corvus.com/intro-spring.htm

http://www.corvus.com/intro-sumr.htm


There are a number of good articles for the novice observer at http://observers.org/beginner/

Dave Mitsky

[xXxDarkSkyNitexzxXx]

k thxs thxs :D