Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Mr Skrunts on 06 November 2008, 19:49:05

Title: Telescopes?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 06 November 2008, 19:49:05
Am moving into a nice rural village in the new year and it looks like there will be an unobstructed view into the northern sky.  So as I have fancied a bit aof star gazing since I was a kid I thought I would look them up.

Quick glance on ebay and realised I am out of my depth.

Fancy something decent that maybe I can attach a camera or comuter to.  Not too big, nice enough to leave set up in the living room when not in use.

Any suggestions

TIA.   :y


http://photography.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/Telescopes__W0QQQ5ftrkparmsZ66Q253A4Q257C65Q253A2Q257C39Q253A1QQ_dmptZUKQ5fTelescopesQQ_sacatZ3636QQ_sopZ3QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14?_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 06 November 2008, 19:56:04
Quote
Am moving into a nice rural village in the new year and it looks like there will be an unobstructed view into the northern sky.  So as I have fancied a bit aof star gazing since I was a kid I thought I would look them up.

Quick glance on ebay and realised I am out of my depth.

Fancy something decent that maybe I can attach a camera or comuter to.  Not too big, nice enough to leave set up in the living room when not in use.

Any suggestions

TIA.   :y


http://photography.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/Telescopes__W0QQQ5ftrkparmsZ66Q253A4Q257C65Q253A2Q257C39Q253A1QQ_dmptZUKQ5fTelescopesQQ_sacatZ3636QQ_sopZ3QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14?_trksid=p3286.c0.m14


Yes Skruntie, I recommend strongly that you but a reflector telescope and depending on funds at least start with one like this:

http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~productID~7017.html

But, if money is no object go for this £10,000 beauty; I was tempted once!

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1013775

 :y :y
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 06 November 2008, 20:01:02
Funny you mention the second one.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Meade-LX90-8-UHTC-SCT-Telescope-Computer-Controlled_W0QQitemZ220306065570QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220306065570&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4|65%3A3|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Just seen this on Ebay
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 06 November 2008, 20:03:10
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Meade-ETX80-Telescope-With-AUTOSTAR-COMPUTER_W0QQitemZ350121531288QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item350121531288&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4|65%3A3|39%3A1|240%3A1318

and this.
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 06 November 2008, 20:05:19
Quote
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Meade-ETX80-Telescope-With-AUTOSTAR-COMPUTER_W0QQitemZ350121531288QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item350121531288&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4|65%3A3|39%3A1|240%3A1318

and this.

Meade's make very good general telescopes for the average budget. :y :y
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 06 November 2008, 20:09:09
Quote
Quote
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Meade-ETX80-Telescope-With-AUTOSTAR-COMPUTER_W0QQitemZ350121531288QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item350121531288&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4|65%3A3|39%3A1|240%3A1318

and this.

Meade's make very good general telescopes for the average budget. :y :y

Am a total novice, but dont want to go silly, but then dont want to go cheap and nasty in case it's not quite up to the job.

Like the idea of the remote controlled ones though if they could/can be hooked to to a computer  . . .not done the homework yet. :-/
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Leomas on 06 November 2008, 20:10:39
Have a scout around, you may find an Astronomy club nearby who would be only too willing to help you out (as an excuse to sell you one of their scopes cheap to make room for a fresh one). My brother is involved in an observatory/club on the Isle of Wight and I could ask him for contacts if you are interested?
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: haj on 06 November 2008, 20:18:59
If yu are photoing the night sky,get a 'scope with an equatorial motor fitted.
You will also need an erecting prism to get things round the right way.
Looking straight through the scope image is reversed
HTH
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 06 November 2008, 20:26:45
It's worth reading up on all the different types of telescopes as you need the right one for what you want to do.

I bought Mrs. KW a Helios 1000x114mm Newtonian reflector a few years ago. Look at the craters on the moon on a clear night and it takes your breath away. If you want to do photography with long exposures it  might be worth getting one with a motorised mount so you can adjust out the earth's rotation.

Not sure I'd pay much extra for a computer controlled one as you still need to set it up accurately before it will find anything and it's just as easy with a chart IMO. You can bundle it in and out of the garden easier without it trailing a load of IT equipment too.

Kevin
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 06 November 2008, 20:32:50
Quote
It's worth reading up on all the different types of telescopes as you need the right one for what you want to do.

I bought Mrs. KW a Helios 1000x114mm Newtonian reflector a few years ago. Look at the craters on the moon on a clear night and it takes your breath away. If you want to do photography with long exposures it  might be worth getting one with a motorised mount so you can adjust out the earth's rotation.

Not sure I'd pay much extra for a computer controlled one as you still need to set it up accurately before it will find anything and it's just as easy with a chart IMO. You can bundle it in and out of the garden easier without it trailing a load of IT equipment too.

Kevin

Sorry Kev, when I mentioned connectioning to a computer I was thinking more for recording the images rather than connectiong a camera.

Sorry for the confusion.
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 06 November 2008, 20:43:30
Quote
Am moving into a nice rural village in the new year and it looks like there will be an unobstructed view into the northern sky.  So as I have fancied a bit aof star gazing since I was a kid I thought I would look them up.

Quick glance on ebay and realised I am out of my depth.

Fancy something decent that maybe I can attach a camera or comuter to.  Not too big, nice enough to leave set up in the living room when not in use.

Any suggestions

TIA.   :y


http://photography.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/Telescopes__W0QQQ5ftrkparmsZ66Q253A4Q257C65Q253A2Q257C39Q253A1QQ_dmptZUKQ5fTelescopesQQ_sacatZ3636QQ_sopZ3QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14?_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Does this mean that you will be looking at another type of "heavenly bodies" skruntie....Groan :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :y.  Seriously though astronomy is a very interesting subject. :y
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 06 November 2008, 20:45:00
Quote
Quote
It's worth reading up on all the different types of telescopes as you need the right one for what you want to do.

I bought Mrs. KW a Helios 1000x114mm Newtonian reflector a few years ago. Look at the craters on the moon on a clear night and it takes your breath away. If you want to do photography with long exposures it  might be worth getting one with a motorised mount so you can adjust out the earth's rotation.

Not sure I'd pay much extra for a computer controlled one as you still need to set it up accurately before it will find anything and it's just as easy with a chart IMO. You can bundle it in and out of the garden easier without it trailing a load of IT equipment too.

Kevin

Sorry Kev, when I mentioned connectioning to a computer I was thinking more for recording the images rather than connectiong a camera.

Sorry for the confusion.

Ahh, ok. You can always get a camera mount for a manual telescope then you have the flexibility to use eyeball, film or digital camera.

Kevin
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 06 November 2008, 20:51:17
Quote

Not sure I'd pay much extra for a computer controlled one as you still need to set it up accurately before it will find anything and it's just as easy with a chart IMO. You can bundle it in and out of the garden easier without it trailing a load of IT equipment too.

Kevin
:y
Been thinking about this.  I totlly agree with you.

Makes me wonder what the fure would bring with the likes of Google Earth and computer controled telescopes though.
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Vamps on 06 November 2008, 21:08:36
Camera and a Telescope ::) ::) ::) Stuck in the house most of the time and you are trying to tell me it is stars you want to look at......... ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 06 November 2008, 21:11:29
Quote
Camera and a Telescope ::) ::) ::) Stuck in the house most of the time and you are trying to tell me it is stars you want to look at......... ;D ;D ;D

Does the F in Mike f mean . . . .Mike F**k off.    ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Vamps on 06 November 2008, 21:13:28
Quote
Quote
Camera and a Telescope ::) ::) ::) Stuck in the house most of the time and you are trying to tell me it is stars you want to look at......... ;D ;D ;D

Does the F in Mike f mean . . . .Mike F**k off.    ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Erm, sometimes..... :y
Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Dusty on 06 November 2008, 21:15:38
Myself and Mr Dusty live in a pretty rural area.

The downside is that we have to travel to get a pint of milk,the upside is that we get some fantastic clear skies ..ideal for astronomy.

So enjoy yourself Skruntie.  

P.S enjoy your new home also. :-* :-* :-* :-*

Title: Re: Telescopes?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 06 November 2008, 21:29:26
Quote
Myself and Mr Dusty live in a pretty rural area.

The downside is that we have to travel to get a pint of milk,the upside is that we get some fantastic clear skies ..ideal for astronomy.

So enjoy yourself Skruntie.  

P.S enjoy your new home also. :-* :-* :-* :-*




Cheers Dusty.

If I walk 50/60 feet from the front door there is a fantasic view over the country side dropping approx 160 feet according to Google Earth.

So plety of photo and telescope opportunities hopefully. :y :y