hello
it is really wonderful to find such an amazing website. im new here and my name is Sara. im interested in Astronomy but i cant really find a good telescope and the special equipments to watch the wonders of the space, i dont have any experience in this, any help please???
truley,
Sara

__________________

SOSKA

This will get moved to the equipment section by the moderator.

First get started with 10x50 binoculars and a good book and charts for them. That way you can learn the sky. Until you do the telescope is mostly useless as you don't know where to point it or what it can and can't do.

In the equipment section read Dave's sticky note (2nd from the top) about binocular astronomy for help here.
Binocular Astronomy

Next I'd normally say to look up your local astronomy club. There is one listed for Dubai but its website seems far more interested in fanatic religious causes than astronomy so I'm not sure how useful it is. Check it out if you wish.

Dubai Astronomy Group
P.O.Box:692, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri
Phone # 97150 6246172
Email hasan@dubaiastronomy.com
URL http://www.dubaiastronomy.com
They claim 500 members. I much prefer smaller clubs but that's all I see listed for your town. Two small ones apparently exist in Abu Dhabi
http://www.astronomyclubs.com/1/188/0/0/club.aspx

If it really is a useful club they'll hold star parties where you can learn about telescopes first hand (far better than reading about them) and and start to get an idea why there are so many different ones and which does what you are most interested in.

There are many threads in that section about getting started. Pay particular attention to the moderator's (Dave Mitsky) links in these threads for good information. That's not to say others don't have good information too, just that without any knowledge you don't know which few (very few) are poor. Once you've digested those then go on to the others.

Rick

I started with a telescope and am very happy for that decision. 6in Dobsonians are excellent. 8in are better if you have the money.

They are easy to setup and very cheap. Someone can learn so much by using this telescope and then upgrade later on with more confidence and knowledge. My recommendation.

__________________
"I will do my best to understand and explain the universe from big to small without invoking miracles, unrepeatable events, or divine intervention. In place of those things I will use observations, mathematics, and science."


-Cross
My travel blog

Some of my Astrophotography


Those that lack education have a hard time understanding its value. - Cross

Thanks alot for the valuable information, Rick..unfortunatly, the Dubai Astronomy Club is not that much helpful, so i'll try to ask my teacher maybe he can help in giving some information about that.

Cross, thanks alot too, i'll try to look for this telescope here in Dubai..the problem is that we have a lack in such field..i'll do my best..

Sara

__________________

SOSKA

Here is a link to what I would recommend. It is a very good product and with it you can see and learn so much.

Good luck.

__________________
"I will do my best to understand and explain the universe from big to small without invoking miracles, unrepeatable events, or divine intervention. In place of those things I will use observations, mathematics, and science."


-Cross
My travel blog

Some of my Astrophotography


Those that lack education have a hard time understanding its value. - Cross

i know it might be a stupid question but can i astropgotograph with the two telescopes you recommended or they are just for observation?
Sara

__________________

SOSKA

Sara, mostly these are for observation with your eyes. I have been successful in taking photos of the moon because it requires short exposures and doesn't move noticeably during that time.

Planets and some comets are almost bright enough to get a good photo. Most other things are out of reach.

If you have more money you can buy an equatorial mount for the same telescope. It is more difficult to setup and learn for beginners. I think you will enjoy much more having the dobsonian mount. I still use mine very often even after 4.5 years.

__________________
"I will do my best to understand and explain the universe from big to small without invoking miracles, unrepeatable events, or divine intervention. In place of those things I will use observations, mathematics, and science."


-Cross
My travel blog

Some of my Astrophotography


Those that lack education have a hard time understanding its value. - Cross

yeah, i think that too, specially that i dont know much about telescopes and astrophotography..anyways, the information i got from you is really helpful and i appreciate your efforts..thanks alot

Sara

__________________

SOSKA

you are very welcome.

__________________
"I will do my best to understand and explain the universe from big to small without invoking miracles, unrepeatable events, or divine intervention. In place of those things I will use observations, mathematics, and science."


-Cross
My travel blog

Some of my Astrophotography


Those that lack education have a hard time understanding its value. - Cross

Hi Sara, you definitely need to read this link: http://scopereviews.com/begin.html

A dob is a great beginners scope, and may end up being the only scope you ever own. I started with binocs, then the Orion 8" dob, and have since upgraded to the Orion 10" dob. I have no plans for further upgrades currently.

Dobs make great beginners scopes because they are inexpensive, easy to use and set up, and the dobsonian mount makes them very stable - this is every bit as important as quality optics in a scope. The best optics in the world won't matter if the mount is unstable.

i think you are right. i will try to look for the Orion 8" dobsonian..but i have another question, if i want to take photographs of what i see through this telescope, is it possible to use a normal camera or there are special kinds of cameras like the CCD?

__________________

SOSKA

A point and shoot digital or DSLR camera allows one to take afocal photographs of bright celestial objects rather easily through a telescope eyepiece. Astronomical CCD cameras are a whole different ballgame, however.

http://www.aoas.org/article.php?story=2007062522295274

http://www.astronomyforbeginners.com...hy/afocal.php\

Dave Mitsky

__________________
Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

If I were you Sara, I'd forget about astrophotos for a while, as discussed in the link I supplied. Just get to know your scope and the sky, and if you're so inclined, tackle astrophotography later on, perhaps with a dedicated setup.

I would make the same recommendation. Astrophotography can be very rewarding, but you should first know what you are looking at.


I had to teach some fellow students how to take photos with a ccd, but they had never used a telescope before. The hard (and most enjoyable) part is learning the sky.

__________________
"I will do my best to understand and explain the universe from big to small without invoking miracles, unrepeatable events, or divine intervention. In place of those things I will use observations, mathematics, and science."


-Cross
My travel blog

Some of my Astrophotography


Those that lack education have a hard time understanding its value. - Cross

__________________

SOSKA

Good luck. Tell us what you see!

__________________
"I will do my best to understand and explain the universe from big to small without invoking miracles, unrepeatable events, or divine intervention. In place of those things I will use observations, mathematics, and science."


-Cross
My travel blog

Some of my Astrophotography


Those that lack education have a hard time understanding its value. - Cross

Unfortunately, good as the Orion is, it could be hard to find in Dubai; Orion doesn't ship internationally.

The Orion SkyQuest Dobs are manufactured by the Chinese company Synta. Synta sells the Sky-Watcher line elsewhere. Perhaps one of its vendors ships to Dubai.

Guan Sheng Optical in Taiwan is another possible source of an 8" f/6 Dob. They supply Zhumell and other companies.

Dave Mitsky

__________________
Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

I love the description of the telescopes from the link you provided Dave:

What kind of paper-work does one need to fill-out to ship cannons?

-Veeger

Heck, that's what they ought to call those annoying green lasers some use to point out objects in the sky.

they sure work great for pointing.