Anyways, I was just thinking about buying a telescope. Now, I would like to see planets a bit clear, such as Mars, Venus and any other little thing as comets and such. What do I have to look for? I mean, is there a certain code, or lense, or what determines how big or small something looks? Also, pricing is very important. So if anyone could take the time to give me, for example

X telescope, $amount, this type of lenses, and you can see this planet as big as a certain coin.

... :-? that didn't make sence at all, did it? oh well, I know you guys are smart. please post!

Thanks

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May the schwartz be with you!

There's a web site attached to this message board:

http://www.badastronomy.com/bitesize/scopefaq.html

Other good sources of beginner info on telescopes can be found in books (like StarWare and the Backyard Astronomer's Guide) and web sites like

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

http://skyandtelescope.com/resources/testreports/

http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=ps&id=6

Orion telescopes web articles

Magnification = Telescope Focal Length / Eyepiece Focal Length

On my 10" f5, I get very bright images of all the planets. Even though the theory limit of my telescope is about 500x I have only ever managed 300x with an acceptable view. However I live in Michigan. I bet I could go much higher out west somewhere.

At roughly 300x I can clearly see the casini division on saturns rings, if viewing conditions are excellent (for my location). Jupiter fills half the view, I can easily make out bands and features in the clouds. Mars has never realed its self as anything but a fuzzy ball...

Again, because of my location, I have had difficulty seeing deep field features, although I have had success, the ring nebula is probably the darkest object I have observed.

A 10" telescope requires planning and good luck if you want to go to extra dark spot. Also, my rig is homemade, that has resulted in many extra challenges. My next modification will be a dobb driver (if i ever get around to it )

For me, it has been all about building and operating a telescope. The actual viewing has been limited (but rewarding!)

Oh, I forgot to answer your question

I am about $2k into it at this point. Another 700-800 dollars and I will be... finished.... With this telescope... On another note, I am already contriving to grind 20" and bigger mirrors...

Money wise, spend as much as you can. Mead has some light buckets in the $1500 range. Less than about 8" of objective lense makes amature astronomy an academic exercise. Lots of points of light, not a lot of detail. "Oh look that fuzzy point of light is M31!"

Most of amature astronomy is about doing and the equiptment. If what you want is a telescope, then I highly suggest building your own. The first iteration of my 10" telescope was about $700, plus about 40 hours work.

If you are really into it, and money is hard to come by, learn to grind, figure and silver your own mirrors. Sure, chemical silvered mirrors only last one or two seasons, but you can do it yourself. IMO silvered mirrors are brighter than the vacume aluminized mirrors anyhow.

If you want to make detailed observations, stick with the hubble heritage pictures, they dont get any better than that.