Guest CjS Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hi all... Just joined the forum, looking for some advice really please. I first go in to astronomy in 2010 and bought a cheap telescope to start off with, a Celestron 21061 Astromaster 70AZ Refractor Telescope. I don't really know much about the different types of telescope but would love some help on which telescope to upgrade to please? Many thanks Chelsea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hi and welcome to EMS The telescope depends on what you want to do. Do you want just visual observing or astrophotography, it will make a difference Sheila Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CjS Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 I think at the moment it would be for observing. I still class myself as quite a beginner so I feel I need to observe more objects first. I have observed Jupiter & it's moons, Saturn, Venus and the moon. I would like to see the planets more clearly and would love to view some deep space objects too. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest foundaplanet Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hello cjs. I would suggest the best thing you could do is get down to one of the local EMS meets. Failing that I am sure you can not be far away from some of the locals. It is always best to go and see some gear in the flesh as you get a true idea of what is available and what you think will be more suitable for your personal use. The folks on here really do know their stuff so I am sure they will pull together and get you sorted. They are a very helpful group so whatever the question don't be afraid to ask... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CodnorPaul Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hi Chelsea - welcome to EMS, you've definitely come to the right place - everyone on here is a big help to us newbies! Shiela's right - depending on what you want to do, depends on what is the best bet, and then it is down to personal preference and budget - there are a lot of options in this hobby. If you can get to one of our observing sessions that would be a great place to start - there would be a lot of kit on show, a lot of people doing different things, and a range of experience levels to talk to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldfruit Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hi Chelsea and welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CjS Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Thanks everyone. I've tried 'googling' for a local(ish) specialised shop but not had much luck yet. I will keep trying though. I'd love to go to a meet so I'll keep looking on here for upcoming events. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hello and welcome to EMS. If it is observing you want to get started with, then you can't go wrong with a big light bucket (a Newtonian reflector). Bank for buck they offer superb views, if mounted on a dobsonion base then it won't cost the Earth either. Really need to know a price limit that you are willing to spend, then we can advise further. With regards to astro shops, none nearby I'm afraid, but lots of people use these..... http://www.firstlightoptics.com I got most if my kit from them. Well happy hunting, do shout up before you buy anything, don't want you wasting your hard earned cash and we can give you good honest advice. If you are still stuck, give us a shout and I will see what we can arrange, there are some loan scopes that we have, a sort of try before you buy, but you need a mod to sort that out for you. Hope you enjoy the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catman161 Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hi Chelsea, Welcome to the forum. I echo the above comments really it all depends on what you want to do; visual only, visual + astrophotography or just astrophotography etc. then of course what objects you are particularly interested in; planets, Deep Space Objects (DSO's), double stars or a mixture of the lot. Then you have to factor in space (storage) and portability. Some of the larger reflector style telescopes can be quite bulky but give great views as you would expect from the larger mirrors that they contain. Then you have you're refractor style telescopes which tend to be a little more compact than reflectors. Then of course there is the horrible factor that limits us all (well nearly all of us!) and that's budget. So if you are looking for best "bang for buck" value and good views the first thing that springs to my mind is the good old dobsonian mounted reflector telescope like a Skywatcher 200P. It's a manual alt-az (which means you physically point it up and down and turn it around and around) scope that has an 8 inch mirror which gives very pleasurable views of the planets and some of the brighter DSO's. However they are quite bulky which can cause issues with storage and getting them from A to B. So lots of factors to consider really and I cannot stress enough the importance of meeting up with any of us to have a look at and through our telescopes. When I first started I really did not fathom just how big some of these "amateur" scopes are! Where in the midlands are you? Don't give exact location just the area and that way anybody close by can offer to help on a more local level and I am sure they would be more than happy for you to pop over to theirs and demonstrate their astro gear. I hope this helps. We are a friendly group of like minded people and I must say, had I not joined EMS I would not have progressed at all in this hobby-a genuinely lovely bunch of people who are always wiling to help out anybody. Cheers and lol forward to meeting you at some point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 This is the one Felix was on about, it is the same as mine...... http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dobsonians/skywatcher-skyliner-200p-dobsonian.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CjS Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Yes I think you're right about needing to go to a meet and having a look for myself before I buy. I'm in Derbyshire, right between Derby and Nottingham. Budget wise I know that to get a really good one you need to spend quite a bit but for me at the moment I think between £300-£400. I have taken in all the advice and clearly need to do more research before I splash the cash! I have done a bit of photography, very amateur though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CodnorPaul Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 For £400 there is a 10" dob in the for sale section that is virtually brand new - it is solid tube also so in the future you could put it onto an EQ mount. But it is a big beast to store Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 That's a good shout Paul, it is Nikki's, I have seen it and it is in cracking good nick, only been used 3 or 4 times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CjS Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Thanks will take a look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tweedledum Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 (edited) Hi and welcome to EMS, Echo comments above, but the 10" dob is BIG. If you look out for when there is an observation session then you can drop in and have a look at others kit and what may suit you best. In the mean time a couple of books that are useful are :- 'turn left at orion' and 'sky & telescope pocket star atlas' these will help guide you round the sky. If you are thinking about astrophotography do invest in a copy of 'making every photon count' this will save you cash in the long run. Also download a planetarium program, there are lots out there to try, Stellarium is great and free to be found here :- http://www.stellarium.org/ Edited September 27, 2013 by Tweedledum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CjS Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Thanks Do I just need to keep an eye on the forums for the upcoming meets etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Type-R Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Yep, just here.... http://www.eastmidlandsstargazers.org.uk/forum/9-ems-meets/ Under information and announcements, then EMS meets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hi welcome aboard from a fellow ilsonite, there's a few of us on here!!, like said above come to a meet have a look and try some different scopes, were a friendly if slightly mad bunch and you would be made welcome. The belped site is not far but a bugger to find!! Hope to see you at a meet some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Eddy Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hi Chelsea, welcome to the forum The closest place is Rother Valley Optics in Sheffield(i think) but I've never been, and usually Firstlightoptics will have a better deal anyway especially if you take into account fuel costs. BBC is actually showing potentially clear tonight but doesn't look great, either way as Daz says keep an eye on the EMS meets forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CjS Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Thanks guys! I've ordered a really warm coat as I'm quite nesh (Ilson word?) and feeling the cold easy is not good when this is your hobby lol. So I shall be out again with my modest telescope very soon. Lots to think about from all of your advice and will look foward to seeing when the next meet is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Thanks guys! I've ordered a really warm coat as I'm quite nesh (Ilson word?) and feeling the cold easy is not good when this is your hobby lol. So I shall be out again with my modest telescope very soon. Lots to think about from all of your advice and will look foward to seeing when the next meet is Don't forget your astro pants (thermals to normal people) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CjS Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Noted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Welcome to EMS Chelsea, My parents live in Ilkeston so I know the area pretty well. As a darksite member of this group you are entitled to borrow the EMS loan scope for a period of three months. It's an 8" dobsonian so just perfect for visual observing. It comes with 4 eyepieces. Darksite membership is £20 per year, but this entitles you to entrance to both darksites, club insurance, xmas meal, and of course a loan of the scope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Welcome to EMS Chelsea, My parents live in Ilkeston so I know the area pretty well. As a darksite member of this group you are entitled to borrow the EMS loan scope for a period of three months. It's an 8" dobsonian so just perfect for visual observing. It comes with 4 eyepieces. Darksite membership is £20 per year, but this entitles you to entrance to both darksites, club insurance, xmas meal, and of course a loan of the scope. And of course first visit free :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hi and welcome. I think that's the first time I've heard "nesh" used found here - I thought is was only used by Scottish people! Nearest Astro shop AFAIK is http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/index.php near Rotherham. Not a big place, unfortunately, but do have some scopes on display. Worth a visit if you happen to be in the area, but I wouldn't make a special trip unless I knew there was something I wanted to collect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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