Help me understand the secret code to the number systems used in descriptions.
I use the Skyview app and want to take a look at the stuff thru a telescope. Not $1000 stuff...
any suggestions would help me, Im lookin local on Let go app.
Thanks!

Are you talking ascension and declination?



This article might help:
https://www.skyandtelescope.co...lestial-coordinates/

Huh?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: downtownv,

quote:

Originally posted by downtownv:
Hahn?

Eh? What?

I din't know what that means...

And I don't know what you mean. I know it's Friday but your opening post and now these replies are borderline "bendable unintelligible."

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
And I don't know what you mean. I know it's Friday but your opening post and now these replies are borderline "bendable unintelligible."

Bald1, I mean I know squat about telescopes but want to look at the planets I spot on the Skyview app.
I see telescopes for sale, but looking to learn what the xxx mm etc means, in order to know if its any good. Again as a beginner, not looking to spend a lot to get a flavor for the hobby.
I live in a very desolate part of the country 9 months out of the year, 3 months full of Bennys visiting the Jersey shore...

I started w/ the very minimum that I or many would recommend. As it turns out, it's a great little scope if you are on a budget.

Here are a couple reviews:
https://www.cloudynights.com/a...onion-reflector-r813

http://scopereviews.com/page1s.html#3

While in dark skies, this will show all the Messier objects, it won't show you the grandiose views you see in magazines.

For a low budget, this and a couple books are good start.

ETA: Mars is tiny but the moon, Saturn and Jupiter are good. Venus and Mercury are too bright too look at. Uranus and Neptune, if you can find them, will look like bluish stars.

Here’s a guide for beginners from Sky and Telescope:

Astronomy: Guide for beginners

Do you have an astronomy club near you? They usually host star parties for the public and are happy to talk with beginners about how to get started.

Oh thanks!
I'm a short bus rider when it comes to this stuff but looking to learn something new. At 65 yo I don't know why...

A good book that covers many of your questions is NightWatch

Check out this new article from Popular Mechanics:

How to pick a telescope

Thanks to everyone for pointing me in the right direction!
I'm reading your links
Here's an example of lidtings that are being sold cheap, which is a great product/deal?
https://us.letgo.com/en

Find you a used Celestron or Mead 8" on a Cassegrain-Schmidt mount.

It's what you need.

Anything below an 8" mirror will be disappointing.


If you were here in Atlanta, I'd sell you mine.

That AWB OneSky 130 (5" Dob - 130 x 660mm) for $200 really looks like a perfect starter scope. It is one of the units featured in the link sjtill provided above.




Link to original video: https://youtu.be/-muZ9KRMY40


https://shop.astronomerswithou...-reflector-telescope


I still cherish and use a 5" F/6 Maksutov-Newtonian(Intes-Micro MN56 127 x 762mm).
I do NOT agree that one needs to have an 8" mirror scope or larger to enjoy night skies. There is a trade off between portability (weight) and use. The heavier big rigs invariably see less use from newbies because of the hassles in transporting and setup.




As for used I have a vintage Criterion ‘75 RV-6 Dynascope 6" f/8 Newtonian (152.4 x 1270mm) w/Dyn-o-matic drive & equitorial mount. Also have a spare Synchron drive motor w/driveshaft adapter on hand.

Here's a mid '70s ad:

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:

Anything below an 8" mirror will be disappointing.

REally?

I've had 4" and 6" mirror Newtonians, the 8" Dobsonian just blows them away.

Newtonians are highly subject to vibration compared to Dobsonians.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
Newtonians are highly subject to vibration compared to Dobsonians.

That is a factor of the mount used and NOT a characteristic of that type telescope.

That AWB OneSky 130 looks pretty cool. Orion came out w/ a mini 4.5" Starblast. It looks like Celestron took that idea up a notch and then some.

quote:

Originally posted by downtownv:
Bald1, I mean I know squat about telescopes but want to look at the planets I spot on the Skyview app.
I see telescopes for sale, but looking to learn what the xxx mm etc means, in order to know if its any good. Again as a beginner, not looking to spend a lot to get a flavor for the hobby.
I live in a very desolate part of the country 9 months out of the year, 3 months full of Bennys visiting the Jersey shore...

Sorry I didn't directly respond to this earlier.

The mm specs are for aperture (basically size of the scope's opening where the larger gives increased light gathering ability) and the focal length which when factored with the eyepiece mm spec will give you the magnification the combo gives.

Buying used scopes can be a crap shoot for the inexperienced as their optics including mirrors may be degraded or otherwise damaged. And yes there can be bargains to be found as well.
That's why I cited that neat little inexpensive OneSky 130 you buy new as an excellent low risk way to get your feet wet.