So I guess the question is, what is the best scope for viewing planets and deep sky objects in the $400-$500 range? @nd question, what are the deepsky objects actually going to look like? For me, $400-$500 is a pretty big committment and I just want to be certain that I know what I'm getting into.
Which scope to purchase?
Started by tom0011, 08/21/2002 12:20PM
Posted 08/21/2002 12:20PM
Opening Post
Posted 08/21/2002 02:32PM
#1
Here are some sketches (my top 3 favorites because there are so many) that will give you some idea of what the DSO look like. They sure don't look like those pretty colorful pictures in the magazine or on the web.
http://www.jwebdale.btinternet.co.uk/
http://www.skyrover.net/ds/
http://hometown.aol.com/billferris/deepsky.html
Ron B[ee]
http://www.jwebdale.btinternet.co.uk/
http://www.skyrover.net/ds/
http://hometown.aol.com/billferris/deepsky.html
Ron B[ee]
Posted 08/21/2002 11:53PM
#2
Hi Tom,
If you don't yet know your way around the sky, I'd suggest:
1) A decent planesphere to show you what is up that night, or Orions all-sky map on their web site is good.
2) A beginners sky Atlas, Wil Tirion has something good, again Orion.
3) Decent 40 to 50mm binoculars with a 6 or 7 degree field of view (you may have these now)
4) Comfortable chair to lean back in outside. (again, you may already have this)
5) Small red light to see the Atlas at night, again Orion.
6) A small notebook to make a log of what you observed. As you get bigger scopes it's fun to add to the comments of your first observations.
My test would be to memorize at least 10 constellations, and find 10 to 15 Messier objects found in the Atlas using the binoculars and intro star charts (yes, many "M" objects are visable in 50mm bino's). If you had some fun doing this, then a 6" or 8" dob, or even a Short Tube 80 on a camera tripod will keep you busy for a while. If this exersize was boring, or you did not finish, then the larger scopes will be frustrating because you won't know where or how to look for the good stuff.
If you already have done all these things, then you most likely would already know what scope you want!
Best of luck!
David
If you don't yet know your way around the sky, I'd suggest:
1) A decent planesphere to show you what is up that night, or Orions all-sky map on their web site is good.
2) A beginners sky Atlas, Wil Tirion has something good, again Orion.
3) Decent 40 to 50mm binoculars with a 6 or 7 degree field of view (you may have these now)
4) Comfortable chair to lean back in outside. (again, you may already have this)
5) Small red light to see the Atlas at night, again Orion.
6) A small notebook to make a log of what you observed. As you get bigger scopes it's fun to add to the comments of your first observations.
My test would be to memorize at least 10 constellations, and find 10 to 15 Messier objects found in the Atlas using the binoculars and intro star charts (yes, many "M" objects are visable in 50mm bino's). If you had some fun doing this, then a 6" or 8" dob, or even a Short Tube 80 on a camera tripod will keep you busy for a while. If this exersize was boring, or you did not finish, then the larger scopes will be frustrating because you won't know where or how to look for the good stuff.
If you already have done all these things, then you most likely would already know what scope you want!
Best of luck!
David
Funding Member
