Telescopes

[He Man]

Ive been wanting to get a telescope since the beginning of this year. And I'm getting more and more interested in it, to the point where im looking to make a purchase for something around $400. Any recommendations on brand/type of telescope?

From what i gather, i should pick up a refracting telescope over the other types.

[Holden]

A telescope in NYC?

Is this for spying on penthouses or finding Messier objects?

Depending on what you want it for, don't overlook a nice pair of electronically stabilized binoculars. It's a lot easier for an amateur to find things with them, and you can still see a lot of 9th magnitude objects if the light pollution isn't too bad.

[He Man]

I already have a set of 7x50s, i dont feel like theres a need to get another pair even if it has image stabilization.

but is the light polution bad enough that a telescope is useless?

[somegirl]

but is the light polution bad enough that a telescope is useless?

I suspect it is unless you are willing to drive outside the city, we had the same problem when I was growing up in Chicago and light pollution has increased since then.

I ground my own telescope mirrors when I was a kid, guess I need a geek smiley.

[He Man]

 

I found this http://www.aaa.org/, theres a viewing date, on the 23rd at a local park, i think ill go check it out and meet some people. I'm sure someone is willing to let me take a peek, and ill see if its worth picking one up or not.

[rgramjet]

I think you could have much more fun with 3rd generation night vision.....amazing.

edit: didnt see the $400 part.

[OT]

Call this place

http://www.skiesunlimited.net/

They have a good reputation and carry a nice selection of used (bought new but rarely used and in great shape) 'scopes at good prices.

[Nakedsuperbiker]

I have the Meade 8" scope like this one http://www.skiesunlimited.net/index.php?ProductID=844
The box they pack it in is worth keeping with the foam rubber cushion all around it.
Images are upside down with most scopes so if you want to do any ground spoting get the inverter it goes on between the scope and the eyepiece.
The motor drive and remote is a great way to stay on a planet, showed the wife Saturn one night from our backyard.

[kopfjäger]

I have the Meade 8" scope like this one http://www.skiesunlimited.net/index.php?ProductID=844
The box they pack it in is worth keeping with the foam rubber cushion all around it.
Images are upside down with most scopes so if you want to do any ground spoting get the inverter it goes on between the scope and the eyepiece.
The motor drive and remote is a great way to stay on a planet, showed the wife Saturn one night from our backyard.

  That is an awesome telescope.

[somegirl]

That is an awesome telescope.

And unfortunately several times He Man's budget.

[Holden]

I would like to remind everyone to get some solar filters for the upcoming Venus transit on June 5th 2012.
(next time is in the year 2117. you will be dead.)

Oh yeah... and point that thing at the moon for the LCROSS impact the second week of October
http://ltvt.wikispaces.com/LCROSS+Impact

[Snips]

Telescopes are like bikes, you get one, and you immediately want a bigger one

[FatguyRacer]

Telescopes are like bikes, you get one, and you immediately want a bigger one

Dont get me started.

Take my advise and STAY AWAY from astrophotograhy.

[Langanobob]

but is the light polution bad enough that a telescope is useless?

Probably not completely useless, but maybe kinda sort of like a bike that's stuck in say third gear.  Better than no bike, but...you're missing a lot of performance.  And I'd venture a guess that NYC air pollution is a major issue with a 'scope too.

I'm not too familiar with places around NYC that might be good for looking at the sky.  Here in the high desert the Milky Way is sometimes literally like a sheet of tinfoil spread across the sky.  If you've never seen a non light-polluted sky you owe it to yourself to get out to the Adirondacks or somewhere where there's no pollution.   But if you have to travel hundreds of miles to use your telescope it hardly seems worth it.  I think I'd stick with studying the sky with  your binoculars and if you still stay really interested, then a 'scope might be a good investment.

[Langanobob]

...I ground my own telescope mirrors when I was a kid, guess I need a geek smiley.

Wow.  That is seriously impressive.  When I was maybe 8 Dad brought home a blank glass to make a mirror from and neither one of us ever touched it.  Dunno what happened to it, probably went in the yard sale along with all my other childhood stuff after I moved out.