Constellation stars & telescope ideas

[boneca]

I've been spending a lot of time in the country lately and in the late evening I like to sit outside (under a nice blankie of course) and look up at the stars, something we really can't do much of in the city :lol:

The problem is that I have no clue about star constellations and it's something I'd like to learn....I feel like a real dufus looking up at the sky not knowing what I'm looking at. So I'm hoping that there are some RFDers out there who could give me some tips...I'd like to buy a small not too expensive portable telescope, a pocket book with a map of stars, or anything else you think could make my star gazing experience more pleasurable :cheesygri...any suggestions?

Thanks.

[ElChico]

Think this might get you started

[url]http://www.astronomy.com/asy/stardome/default.aspx[/url]

I had a better site but I can't remember it. If you look at Orion's belt you can see a big nebula. Also check out Jupiter, you should be able to see it's 4 big moons with any telescope. If you're in the Toronto area, York University has public nights and you can look though their big telescope.

[url]http://www.physics.yorku.ca/observatory/index.html[/url]

edit: I see you're in Montreal... nevermind the last part...

[Sprite09]

DOwnload and install [url]http://www.stellarium.org/[/url]


If you need a telescope not too much $$$ : [url]https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/[/url]

Check hot deals section too, some are trying to do combined shipping.

Many pdf ebooks torrents out on beginner astronomy and google search a few websites too.

[tritium4ever]

You can get a planisphere (~$20):
[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/616NNKV3DEL._SL500_AA240_.jpg[/img]


Or an introductory book on astronomy (~$25-50):
[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61FNM0S9QEL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg[/img]
[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tjpTIzM1L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg[/img]


Or for serious astronomers, a proper sky atlas (~$80-160):
[img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31VVCwJOg5L._SL500_AA240_.jpg[/img]

I have all of the above and they're all useful in different ways.

[boneca]

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone. However, I've been reading that a good pair of binoculars is better to buy than a cheap telescope..any truth to this and any suggestions re the binoculars...I'm looking to spend no more than $100.

[ElChico]

I find bins tough to hold steady on planets and stars. I use a spotting scope on a tripod (many used for birding) and I could see the last month Venus was only about 1/4 full. Borrow and try out binoculars for a night. If it works, then great, if not you'll need a starter telescope.

[teknoluv]

The best part about "star-gazing" is, you don't need a telescope; all you need is a clear sky and a place away from the light pollution.

As a starter, I would recommend NOT overloading yourself with too much info. You may want to start with just a handful of constellations (e.g Orion and Cassiopeia), and enjoy the fun and tranquility of it.

A telescope is only useful for the Moon and to a lesser extent our fellow Solar System planets. But if you ask me, the sky is more beautiful with imagination. The Moon is quite ugly if viewed with a scope.

[tritium4ever]

[QUOTE=boneca;8601995]Thanks for the great suggestions everyone. However, I've been reading that a good pair of binoculars is better to buy than a cheap telescope..any truth to this and any suggestions re the binoculars...I'm looking to spend no more than $100.[/QUOTE]

Binoculars are a great item to start with because they're cheap. They're great for the moon, as well as larger objects such as various star clusters, nebulae, and even galaxies. The trick is holding them still enough for the harder-to-spot objects...a pair of binocs with a tripod mount are nice. And if it turns out you don't particularly care for astronomy, binoculars can be put to other uses. :cheesygri

Avoid getting a pair with too much magnification. In your price range, the best bet for a pair of binoculars for astro use would be a good 7x50 set (7x magnification, 50mm lens diameter). Ideally, get ones that have fully multi-coated lenses because they transmit a lot more light than uncoated or partially coated lenses.

[aquariaguy]

[url]http://www.griffithobservatory.org/skyinfo.html[/url]

This observatory in LA that I go too, has a lot of information on their site.

[slothy@cutey]

I know this is the off topic section, but I just thought I'd throw this out there... Earlier posts in the thread eluded to the "Galileoscope" which is a great piece of the telescope with expensive lenses. But because it's an IYA (International Year of Astronomy 2009) project, the price was brought down to $15 US... I bought 4 of them and sold 2. I have one left and I'm willing to sell is for $35 which is at cost after shipping/customs/currency conversion. I have the documents to support it. I'm not profitting at all. I just want to be left with 1 telescope. So if anyone would like the 1 for $35... all I ask is that you can meet me in West Oakville to pick it up (with $35 cash). This is a wicked price for this telescope. If interested, PM me. Thanks - hope I'm not hijacking the thread, but I stress.. i'm NOT making any money from this, it's purely to spread telescopes around for the lowest per telescope cost.

[KevC]

With a low-ish budget ($300 or less) I'd look towards a pair of binoculars instead of a telescope. Look for something like a 7x50 or at most 10x50 ... aperture is king!

[Capt.]

Here's a really good telescope thread that was started on RFD a while ago. AldebaranTech started the thread and he also suggested starting with binoculars.

[url=http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=596955]Telescopes[/url]