The night sky - Telescope advise

[bodminman]

Hi there,

last week I pointed out Jupiter in the night sky to my daughter and she was blown away that she could see another planet from our own back yard. I know she's always fascinated by stars etc so I thought I may have a look at getting us a beginners telescope. Suffolk has some great clear views of the night sky and it's a shape not to see further into it!

Can anyone offer any advice on this subject? I don't want to be spending too much and have around £100 as my limit.

Thanks in anticipation.

[IanT]

I brought my first telescope last year for about £300 - my pride and joy and its at my in-laws house in Norfolk, better skys up there

I think I jumped the gun and just got a decentish one for £300ish, i'll dig out the model as i cant remember it off the top of my head, its simular to this:

130m.jpg

Get your self some good books on telescopes, i got some off ebay

[Trapper]

Don't buy cheap.

I still haven't invested in a decent one as suburban Birmingham is frankly piss poor for viewing. You can't even see the Milky Way.

[speckytecky]

Useful to seek out the advice of your local astronomy association; suggest via the British Astronomy Association - they probably know of good deals available.

[januttall]

on mine the ruber turning nob thingy [Probably got a name] snaped in the middle so i cant ajust the angles very easly mines also like the on in the pic.
and for anyone looking http://www.warehouseexpress.com have lots of bits and pecies not shure on price comparison but they have allsorts of barlo tubes and eyepeaces etc.

[Trapper]

Useful to seek out the advice of your local astronomy association; suggest via the British Astronomy Association - they probably know of good deals available.

Or write to Patrick Moore. I got a letter back and a signed photo!

[JJonas]

Best bit of advice I had - Get the biggest telescope you are actually going to use.

I ignored this an ended up with a telescope that is too big as a result it hardly got used.

Also find out about local astronomy groups and when they meet that way you can get to try out some kit for free and get advice.

Seething Observatory has some nights coming up Norwich Astronomical Society - Public Open Nights

[TechMonkey]

We got recommended a spotter scope to start on. Very nice. I can get the company name we dealt with who were excellent if you like. The only issue to look out for is that a lot of US companies do life time guarantees that do not transfer to the UK. The box will say life time & some companies will quote that over here but it isn't valid.

Getting in touch with a local club would be a good idea though as you'd be able to try some out and get a better idea hands on.

[MYK-IT]

As others have stated purchase the biggest aperature telescope you can afford (or budgeted).

In addition, there are reflector, refractor, Maksutov-Cassegrain and Dobsonian design etc.

The best telescope will be the one that you will actually use!

Telescope House the UK No.1 for Telescopes and Binoculars since 1785

Friendly group/forum at:

Society for Popular Astronomy -Welcome to the Society for Popular Astronomy

Find out where your local astronomy club is and contact/visit them. You will get a chance to see all types of telescopes and get first hand advice.
They may well have 2nd hand kit for sale, and most likely in A1 condition.