Telescope's...Which one do I get?

[eyeinthesky77]

Hello All! This is the first time I have put a post on Universe Today so Im hoping it all goes ok. Although I have always shown a interest into astronomy, I have only started looking into the night sky over the past year. My mum has very kindly said she will buy me a telescope for my birthday but the trouble is...I have no idea which one to get. Im not sure what the computer ones do and if they are alot harder to use. I really need a simple one thats not too expensive but I can only go up to £300.
Is there anyone out there who would be able to give me some advice on which one to get or what kind I should go for if I wnat an easy to use one.

Thankyou all very much

Rachel

From Sheffield, UK.

[galaxygirl]

Welcome to the forum! We all look foward to hearing more from you.

Just letting you know that I moved your topic to Astronomy Equipment and Accessories as questions regarding telescopes are more likely to be answered here.

As for advice in buying a telescope, you might want to check out this (http://www.universetoday.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4018) thread.

From one Rachel to another :)

[damienpaul]

oh no! 2 rachels!!!!?!?!!?!?!? :P

[Dave Mitsky]

Jay Reynolds Freeman is a prolific observer. He offers some good advice for novices at http://observers.org/beginner/j.r.f.beginner.html

Stephen Tonkin is well-known in British amateur astronomy. His section on starter telescopes available in the UK should be of help:

http://astunit.com/tutorials/firstscope.htm

Dave Mitsky

[galaxygirl]

Thanks for those links Dave. I know they'll come in handy for when I decide to buy a new telescope.

oh no! 2 rachels!!!!?!?!!?!?!?

It's all for the best Damo. ;)

[Dave Mitsky]

You're welcome.

Here's a web site for a British telescope vendor that Stephen Tonkin doesn't mention:

http://www.telescopehouse.co.uk/page.aspx?...Ld8xXbHBDHGbzge (http://www.telescopehouse.co.uk/page.aspx?theLang=001lngdef&pointerid=169345dwprEOVViTRLd8xXbHBDHGbzge)

Dave Mitsky

[eyeinthesky77]

Dave, thanks for those websites. They have come in very handy..

Rachel ;)

[CygX1]

The best astronomy telescope is the one that one uses more !

~ An old amature astronomy's saying ~

[Gneiss]

It's worth having a look here Green Witch (http://www.greenwich-observatory.co.uk/), they often have second hand scopes and it might be worth giving them a ring for some advice... :)

[eyeinthesky77]

Thanks Gneiss, I have now decided on a Evostar-90 AZ3. I had to lower the budget so I think this should be fine for the money (I hope!).

[Betelgeuse]

Hi, Rachel.

Good luck with the new telescope.

I'm surrently looking at different telescopes myself.

If you find yourself wanting to upgrade at any time, why not check out celestron? They reall are a good company - I've heard great things about them and from previous knowlege, they have better customer relations or customer care than companies such as Meade.

Just a thought.

A Bientot,
Rigel

[Gneiss]

Yes, good luck with your new scope…

You should find it nice and easy to use, and I guarantee if you have never looked at the Moon through a telescope before you will be blown away with the view. It's one of those things you never forget even when you grow old and cynical :D

[eyeinthesky77]

Thanks Rigel and Gneiss and yes, I have not yet looked at the moon through a telescope so Im really looking foward to it. I should have the scope by the end of the month so as you all say...You have all been warned...we will have very bad weather at the end of October and the whole country will be covered in cloud so nobody will be able to see a thing through their telescopes! I am very sorry about this but I have heard this is what happens every time somebody gets a new telescope!!! ;)

Rachel

[Betelgeuse]

Despite the bad weather at the end of this month, please let us know what it feels like browsing the night sky with your Evostar-90 AZ3!

Rigel
:)

[eyeinthesky77]

Yes, I will let you know what its like Rigel. Everyone on UT are the only people I know that would be interested anyway! (apart from my 3 year old daughter!). She should be quite interested as she always tells me when the stars and moon are out and she does know some of the planets already! I've really tried to drum them into her....she knows Jupiter has the spot and Saturn has rings...Yeh, I think she will like it.