GLOSSARY FOR BEGINNERS

Although this is "second time around" for me as a hobby, I feel I am a beginner again. I was an avid Astronomer in my youth, living in Southern England, and have fond memories of visiting Sir Patrick Moore’s residence in East Grinstead. He was great with the young folks in the area, and even sold me my first scope, a Refractor no less. Well, approaching retirement I am attracted to the hobby again, but this time with the addition of a good knowledge of Photography. So I am in the middle of researching a suitable telescope for Astrophotography use that will not leave me penniless. The results of this quest I will keep for another post.

This time around I feel like I am entering a new world - equipment has changed and advanced so much with so may cool electronic tools and gismos. Research is fun, but I am mystified by the classifieds and use of so may anagrams and abbreviations - its like my other hobby, Amateur Radio, and understanding a CW (morse code) QSO (discussion).

So, I need a Glossary for the classifieds - some terms I know, like WTB (wanted to buy) and even some Astronomy terms (SCT - Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope), but there are many that have stumped me - e.g. PST, TMB, TOA, TEC, APO, etc.

HELP!!!

Anthony:


but there are many that have stumped me - e.g. PST, TMB, TOA, TEC, APO, etc.

PST is Personal Solar Telescope
TMB is for Thomas M Back (a deceased telescope maker) and the acronym is used for a line of astro products
TOA is Takahashi's apochromatic (APO) duo of telescopes, the 130mm and 150mm (heavy but superb)
TEC is Telescope Engineering Company. They are from Colorado, owned by Yuri and produce superb APO refractors and Maksutovs.
Most 3 element APO refractors have color free images (low or absent CA for chromatic aberration) and many use a calcium fluorite element which is really a crystal grown in a lab and not a true glass. This usually means big bucks.

You'll start to pick up things over the next few months. Oh yeah, one thing which I have been promoting is the use of BV or binoviewers, using two eyes instead of mono viewing through a scope. One thing which hasn't changed is everything really cool is also really expensive. AM (Astromart) is the best place to buy and sell Astro Gear.

George