Does anyone here on the forum used telescopes? I am interested in buying one for working at the moon. I’m interested in something that will break the bank. Any information will help. Thank you very much!
Telescopes come in many varieties and sizes. Just how serious are you planning to be? Celestron makes some very nice compact scopes suitable for general viewing.
You would be well advised to spend some time on Cloudy Nights forum. There is so much to consider and factor when selecting a telescope. Too many buy without really doing their due diligence and their scope ends up staying in a closet.
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Posts: 16610 | Location: Black Hills of South Dakota | Registered: June 20, 2010
Telescopes cool, but weather is bad sometimes not use good. Easy to spend let’s of money on custom and rare scopes but can take long time to have made or get from other countries.hard to use good if too drunk. Bad to spend much money then sober up be pissed off. Best telescope not as good as pictures on internet, but My eye likes to see in person. Saturn has rings, jovial moons and spot special to me. Money blown out ass, or well spent who cares?
Posts: 1893 | Location: Spokane, WA | Registered: June 23, 2008
All kidding aside, the telescope rabbit hole is as deep and wide as you make it. It can be a rewarding hobby without spending a fortune, but if you have the money get what you want. Bigger is not always better, but better is always better, it just costs more. You can get set up pretty well for 3 or 4 k, or you could spend a lot less or a lot more. My last new scope took almost 2 years to be built and cost a tidy sum, but I enjoy it very much and am happy to have it. But I live in a spot with good seeing fairly often. If I lived in a light polluted area I am not sure I would even have a telescope, let alone 4. Certainly a first world hobby.
Posts: 1893 | Location: Spokane, WA | Registered: June 23, 2008
I own several telescopes, some are just for viewing the sun. For looking at the moon almost any telescope would work. Stay away from anything from Sam's , Costco or any other local store with maybe the exception of camera store. You can spend anywhere from $250 to over $20k for a complete system. How much are you looking to spend?
Is there local astronomy club nearby? If so attend a meeting or two and talk to the members about trying some of thier equipment out.
For the moon a nice pair of binoculars would not be too bad of a place to start. A nice spotting scope can also be used to see the moon too. On the otherhand, I use a small telescope as a spotting scope.
Posts: 1367 | Location: Colorado | Registered: May 28, 2010
You would be well advised to spend some time on Cloudy Nights forum. There is so much to consider and factor when selecting a telescope. Too many buy without really doing their due diligence and their scope ends up staying in a closet.
I agree with bald1's advice: cloudynights.com. Take your time, talk to local amateurs, go to outreach nights of the local astronomy club. Look up the website for Sky and Telescope, search for articles on buying a telescope.
Where do you live? Is there an area near you with dark skies?
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Posts: 18620 | Location: One hop from Paradise | Registered: July 27, 2004
