Telescope??

Midlands_Boro

Active member
Is anybody on here into astronomy? I'm looking at buying a telescope because the kids are interested. I've just dug an old one out of the loft from when I was a kid but its buggered. I don't want to pay hundreds but want a decent one that actually works. Would around £100 be enough?
 
I don't have the app no. Just the youngest is getting well into the planets and stars. He just keeps popping up with random facts I dont even know and he's only 5 😂. He's autistic so I think it's his new obsession. £300 seems steep. I've seen one for £150 and think it comes with an app. Seems decent https://www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk/acatalog/celestron-powerseeker-127.html

That looks good. I have the Celestron 130 bit without the motor drive. I would like to buy that as an add on in the future.

Need to get mine out and set up again.
 
That looks good. I have the Celestron 130 bit without the motor drive. I would like to buy that as an add on in the future.

Need to get mine out and set up again.
I'm a total novice so I don't know what's good and what isn't. Reading lots of reviews from different sources this seems a good setup for a beginner. I don't even know what to expect to see when I get going 😂. Just a bit of fun and something to do from the house in these times 👍🤷‍♂️
 
Is anybody on here into astronomy? I'm looking at buying a telescope because the kids are interested. I've just dug an old one out of the loft from when I was a kid but its buggered. I don't want to pay hundreds but want a decent one that actually works. Would around £100 be enough?
It’s certainly something I’m looking into
 
I bought mine after speaking to some people exhibiting the work their astronomy club does at a museum. I'm a novice too but with a good app and a clear sky it's just good fun. Even just looking at the moon is interesting, but with the bigger mirror you can see Jupiter and a few moons, make out the rings of Saturn too.
 
I'm no expert, but I think paying that bit extra is worth it. You'd probably get a poor telescope for £100. I think you'd probably want to be paying around £200 for a half decent starter telescope.
 
Didn't want to start a new thread. How did you get on finding a telescope.

My kids are into this at the moment and similarly I'm looking for something up to 200ish for them and more importantly me to explore.

never stargazed before so any advice would be greatly recieved
 
If you’re a novice then @VirtualAstro on Twitter is pretty good, he’s done guides for both telescopes and binoculars for beginners. He also keeps everyone informed when the ISS is passing, when the Aurora might be visable, and various other notable events in the night sky.

The guides are on this website - https://www.meteorwatch.org/
 
I wouldnt normally suggest using somewhere like Facebook marketplace, but i was looking at them the other day and there are some decent deals to be had.

Im looking out for one to use for astro photography, ive managed the Orion Nebula and Andromeda with a 200mm lens and the Milky Way with a 12mm lens on my camera, but it blows my mind to think what you can get with a decent telescope and tracker
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You took those with a 200mm lens?

How on earth did you manage that? (pardon the pun)

200mm on crop sensor = 300mm actual. They are around 30 images stacked to give a little more detail. I also tracked them using an iOptron Skytracker on my tripod which then allows for longer exposures.

They are also massively cropped ;-)

The trouble that you have with using a 200m lens is actually getting the object in focus.
 
I've got a degree in physics with astrophysics and have been into astronomy for several years. In my opinion half the thrill is finding the objects for yourself (and have low expectations of what you actually will see through a telescope as most things are grey blurs unless you're looking at the planets/moon) so a dobsonian telescope would be my advice for first telescope (I still have one which I use whilst my imaging setup runs). Have a look at the skywatcher range of dobsonian telescopes https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians.html

Initially, finding anything is frustrating but it means you start learning the sky and it is a huge thrill when you do find it. Look at the sketches on here http://www.deepskywatch.com/astronomy-sketches.html to give yourself of an idea of expectations and remember the bigger the aperture the more you see.

It's a great hobby if you don't mind the cold!

Astrophotography is another minefield altogether, as above, just start with a DSLR and if it is your thing you can build from that. The need for a good tracking mount becomes essential which cost £100s so starting with a DSLR at least gives you an idea as to whether it is for your or not, and you can use your DSLR with a telescope so it isn't wasted money should you start with just the camera.
 
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