Telescope for a noob

[Walkin Dude]

I really like astronomy, but I'm a TOTAL noob when it comes to telescopes. Could you give me some advice on what kind I should buy?:confused:

[JohnW]

I really like astronomy, but I'm a TOTAL noob when it comes to telescopes. Could you give me some advice on what kind I should buy?:confused:
Do you know your way around the sky? If not, get a pair of binoculars and a planisphere.

If you're ready for a telescope, the best kind depends on a lot of factors, including:
- what are you most interested in (solar system, Moon, double stars, deep sky...)?
- how important is portability?
- how much maintenance are you willing to do?
- will you be going out for a quick look or doing all-nighters?
- what's your observing style - a quick look at lots of objects, or a long look at fewer ones?
- what's your budget?

There are a lot of good Web resources out there. This (http://skyandtelescope.com/howto/basics/article_260_1.asp) and this (http://scopereviews.com/begin.html) are especially helpful, in my opinion.

[aurora]

Also, see if there is an astronomy club in your area. Find out if they run beginner sessions, or have regular public viewing sessions. Look through scopes, ask lots of questions.

[turbo-1]

I really like astronomy, but I'm a TOTAL noob when it comes to telescopes. Could you give me some advice on what kind I should buy?:confused:I agree that a nice basic set of binoculars and a planisphere are essential, as is a good set of charts, but please, before you spend a dime, look up some local amateur astronomy clubs and attend a few meetings and at least a couple of star parties. You will get to look through lots of different telescopes, and get personalized advice from people who have real-world experience. If you get to the star-party early, you will be able to see how people packed and transported their equipment (very important) and you will get an idea how long it takes to set up the equipment. If you don't have a lot of free time in the evening or if you will have to travel to a viewing site, the travel time, set-up time, and cool-down time can leave you with very little time left for high-quality observing.

[Dave Mitsky]

Here are a number of web sites that offer good advice on buying a first telescope:

http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=ss&id=9

http://skyandtelescope.com/howto/scopes/article_241_1.asp

http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html

http://stupendous.rit.edu/richmond/answers/telescope.html

http://www.r-clarke.org.uk/starting_astro.htm

http://www.celestron.com/education/tel4ast.htm

http://www.astronomics.com/main/category.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/How%20to%20pick%20a%20telescope/Page/1

http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemID=0&itemType=HOME_PAGE

http://www.floridastars.org/telescop.html

Starting out with a binocular is a good idea but, in fact, almost all the serious observers that I know began with a telescope. If a novice is primarily interested in observing the Moon, the three worthwhile planets (Mars at opposition, Jupiter, and Saturn) and binary stars, then a binocular is not going to offer much in the way of satisfaction. (I am not knocking binocular observing. I happen to own four pairs of binoculars and use them often.) A former ASH member that I used to observe with bought a 16" Newtonian telescope right out of the gate and was a first class observer in the span of a year. A current ASH member who hasn't been observing for very long purchased an 18" Obsession Dob after first owning two smaller telescopes and is very competent already. Individual aptitude, desire, and perseverance are definitely factors in becoming a "successful" amateur astronomer.

Generally speaking, one can't go wrong with a 6 or 8 inch Newtonian on a Dobsonian mount, a so-called Dob, or a 3.5 or 4 inch long-focus achromatic refractor as a relatively inexpensive first telescope. Keep in mind that most cheap GoTo telescopes are likely to be disappointing.

Dave Mitsky

[koloss]

Hi. If I were you, I buy a Skywathcer 200/1000 o a Skywathcer 250/1200

[aurora]

Hi. If I were you, I buy a Skywathcer 200/1000 o a Skywathcer 250/1200

But if you do not know how the person is going to use the scope, how can you recommend a specific model or even type of scope?

The reason there are so many types of telescopes on the market today is because they each fill at least one specific need better than the other types.


What works best for you might not be best for someone else.

[redshifter]

I would say the very first thing you should do is read in it's entirety the link to http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html which has been previously posted. It does a good job summing up what you need to consider before getting a first telescope.

[turbo-1]

But if you do not know how the person is going to use the scope, how can you recommend a specific model or even type of scope?

The reason there are so many types of telescopes on the market today is because they each fill at least one specific need better than the other types.

What works best for you might not be best for someone else.True, and even if you ask a newbie what type of observing he intends to do, you are likely to get a poorly-informed answer until he has looked through a variety of telescopes to see what "grabs" him. Right now, he might think he wants to look at planets and the Moon, only to be amazed when somebody at a star party shows him epsilon Lyra through a nice refractor, or when he sees M51 through a big dob...you get the picture. It's kind of an expensive purchase to make without doing a little homework, first.