We went to see some solar prominences.

Wife is interested in seeing more stuff in sky: solar events / prominences, planets (ones with rings would be cool), moon, whatever.

I know nothing. What's needed to view some interesting stuff in the sky along these lines?

Recommendations for brands, models, accessories? Approximate costs for something decent? Let's say a B level configuration (where A is top of the line, C is average consumer, D is made in PRC crap (do not buy)).

Manageable for < $3000 (ballpark)? If not, never mind (ie - need $10k or more).

While I enjoy looking at the night sky through my ameteur telescope I'm going to let others more knowledgeable than me reccomend which scope to buy.

I will reccomend a great free app to use on your iPad or similar device that lets you point it up to the night sky and identify the various planets and constellations.

It's called Sky View Lite.
Check it out...

As a noob I can tell you the biggest frustration is trying to find what you want. At a minimum get a good finder scope and if possible one of the computer controlled ones.

I really depends on what you want to see. This is sort of like asking, "What gun do I want?"


If you want to see things in our solar system, you would need one sort of setup. For the most part, those objects are bright, so you wouldn't need a lot of objective size (how big the front is).

If you want to see deep space objects, many of which are dim, you'll want as much light in the telescope as possible.

But this is a huge topic. More than a post can handle. Look for a beginning astronomy book. Try this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Backyar...Astronomer%27s+Guide

what you want to do today might not be what you want to do a year from now after you've had your fill of solar system objects

there are very few things where size matters...astronomy is one of those things there size absolutely does matter

so...

for looking at the sun, moon, planets and nearby stuff (within a few billion miles), you can probably get away with a decent refractor type telescope 3" to 4" aperture. That size makes the purchase of a solar filter to put over the objective of the scope manageable without having to take out a 3rd mortgage.

Next thing to keep in mind (alluded to in a previous post), there are lots of good apps fir the iPhone and iPad systems out there - I have two on my phone and two on my iPad. I seldom use them but they're there if I am out somewhere, see something and want to find it again.

Now, if you want to get into some deep sky stuff - nebula, external galaxies, star clusters... a 4" scope won't cut it. That is a different kind of scope altogether, requires a larger diameter because its all about light gathering power.

We can chat about computer controlled (GOTO) scopes later but assuming you're serious about astronomy, where you think you are today is NOT where you will end up a year from now.

full disclosure - one of the reasons I moved to Arizona was to be able to pursue astronomy with better seeing conditions. I think I posted a picture once but I ended up building an observatory with an 8' dome and an isolated pier for the permanently mounted scope. And I'm running out of room and thinking of expanding the building by about another 50 SF.

Take a look at unistellaroptics.com. Likely not ideal for the sun, but a real advancement for visual use for most everything else.

also check to see if there's an astronomy club near you. They usually are quite welcoming to newcomers; attending a sky viewing night will let you see and try all kinds of gear. And everyone is always trading up, so there's always well maintained used gear for sale.

^^^

what he said

clubs are great and people always want to show off their gear

I guess to start we'd just be looking at "nearby" stuff. Don't to spend a lot - not sure if her interest will continue long term or not.

So looking for something that will be interesting for the short (or at least not kill any interest because she can't see anything).

Just not sure what's possible with a budget cap in mind (say a few thousand).

I have no idea what brands or what features to look for as a decent starter scope. I'll check for local clubs.

Can we get a scope that allows for decent views of Saturn / Jupiter for a couple thousand?

1. +2 to finding a local astronomy club. They can be quite useful. Heck, you may look through one of their scopes and decide you've seen enough.

2. check out www.cloudynights.com
a very useful forum.

3. Yes for just Jupiter and Saturn, 2K $ is well more than enough.

4. Don't even think about astrophotography, unless you really want to spend $.
Don't ask how I know!

best of luck

for some quick scope ideas, look for Meade and Celestron refractors

a reasonably nice piece of equipment can be had for some short money

I would then suggest you consider a Thousand Oaks full aperture solar filter, and then pick out some good high-relief eye pieces to add what comes with the scope

You might contact this member with further questions or ideas ...

https://sigforum.com/eve/person...profile&u=4291030261

Thanks guys. Will follow-up.

I agree with nhtagmember that a refractor in the 3-4 inch range would do a good job for the moon, planets, and (with the proper solar filter) looking at the sun (for sunspots and prominences, but not for seeing detail on the sun's surface).

If I may make a specific recommendation: take a look at the Televue 85 mm refractor. It is fairly light weight, solid, well made, and will also serve (with an erecting prison) as a terrestrial telescope for birding, etc.

New they are about $2500, but you can buy one for perhaps half that on Astromart.com or the classified section of cloudy nights.com.

Now the telescope--what we call the optical telescope assembly or OTA--is just the beginning. You need to put it on a solid mount, and you need a finder scope and several eyepieces. These would probably add another $1000 or so, before you actually have a useful device.

It would be very high quality, and I can testify it is very satisfactory for the moon and planets (haven't used it for the sun yet). When you get into sizes larger than this, then the whole thing becomes quite unwieldy.

quote:

I agree with nhtagmember that a refractor in the 3-4 inch range would do a good job for the moon, planets, and (with the proper solar filter) looking at the sun (for sunspots and prominences, but not for seeing detail on the sun's surface).

If I may make a specific recommendation: take a look at the Televue 85 mm refractor. It is fairly light weight, solid, well made, and will also serve (with an erecting prison) as a terrestrial telescope for birding, etc.

New they are about $2500, but you can buy one for perhaps half that on Astromart.com or the classified section of cloudy nights.com.

Now the telescope--what we call the optical telescope assembly or OTA--is just the beginning. You need to put it on a solid mount, and you need a finder scope and several eyepieces. These would probably add another $1000 or so, before you actually have a useful device.

It would be very high quality, and I can testify it is very satisfactory for the moon and planets (haven't used it for the sun yet). When you get into sizes larger than this, then the whole thing becomes quite unwieldy.

Awesome. Specific recommendations are welcome as it provides at least some baseline for comparison. Otherwise I may just be comparing crap against crap. One known good quantity is always a preferred starting point.

A used Questor is under $3000. Small, self-contained solar filter (Ultra Important to use when solar viewing)and zoom eyepiece, clock drive (car battery will work) and in a carry case. Powerful enough to see the division of Saturn's rings. Will accept (with adaptor) many brands of cameras.
Its folded optics, if unfolded would make it about 33" long. Also excellent for birding and other terrestrial sights.
Good luck.

I 3rd the astronomy club idea.

A. you will be able to see what works and what does not, in real time. (prior to purchase)

B. They are always selling something, you might save $1000.00 by meeting up with the club members.

C. Most members are happy to educate you on the tools you will need now and in the far future.

D. If they do not have stuff to sell you , they will help you find a retailer in the area to deal with.

Information is what you need a lot of now, and most retailers won't just let you hound them for hours

Look what I found on my first Craigslist search.
A "Level A".

https://chattanooga.craigslist...cope/6633543667.html

'Nuther'un

https://atlanta.craigslist.org...-8se/6609488992.html

Oooo, A Meade

https://atlanta.craigslist.org...cope/6605168217.html