Friday, February 17th, 2012

Amateur Astronomy for Beginners: Buying a Telescope Part 1

Published on May 4, 2011 by   ·   25 Comments

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Readers Comments (25)

  1. SuperCorey95 says:

    @truemartian

    Love your videos! I here you talking about ‘deep space objects’… what does this mean?

    In my mind I’m picturing space junk as ‘space objects’, or are you referring to stars and such? :)

  2. truemartian says:

    @shareqshareq Hi, Thanks for watching. You don’t necessarily need binoculars to learn constellations but they can be used for some astronomy, like viewing Uranus, Neptune, and some deeps space objects. You will eventually want to get a telescope.

  3. shareqshareq says:

    Hi trueMartian, I am a beginner to astronomy. I did some research today and instead of going for a telescope I bought celestron 15×70 binoculars from amazon. Do you think it is a good way to get started? WIll the binocs help me learn and spot planets and constellations.? Hoping to get some feedback

  4. shareqshareq says:

    Hi trueMartian, I am a beginner to astronomy. I did some research today and instead of going for a telescope I bought celestron 15×70 binoculars from amazon. Do you think it is a good way to get started? WIll the binocs help me learn and spot planets and star constellations.? Hoping to get some feedback

  5. truemartian says:

    @JoyndMerryness Above all a dark sky with very little to no light pollution will give you the best advantage of seeing what there is to see out there as much as one can see.

  6. truemartian says:

    @JoyndMerryness Alan, Keep in mind that your biggest limitation will be the sensitivity of your own eye. Most objects will not look like their pictures at all. A large telescope like the Lightbridge will give you an advantage. I can tell you that the Orion Nebula actually starts to look like its pictures(without color) in a 10 inch. You might also consider the new line of nebula and specialty visual filters like the OIII. I have looked through an OIII and they are dynamite for nebula.

  7. JoyndMerryness says:

    Hi,
    I’ve been looking for a telescope for some time. I am a beginner but I know that I just wouldn’t be satisfied If I couldn’t see ‘enough’ with it. I’ve been working my way around the sky with binoculars and I have a cheap-deal telescope from the supermarket (witch really was just a joke). I think it is time for me to buy a good telescope now and prize wise, the meade lightbridge truss-tube dobsonian (the 12″) is getting my intrst. I know it’s big, but i got a car.

    Hope 2 hear from u,
    Alan

  8. truemartian says:

    @mattsprason You will have to determine what your next level is. There are so many aspects of amateur astronomy ranging from casual visual observation and astrophotography to actual contributions to science. You will have to determine where you want to take it and go for the appropriate equipment. No one telescope does it all. … And its NOT a cheap hobby. ;-)

  9. mattsprason says:

    Hi, Love yr vids. I am a bit of a noob when it comes to telescopes.. A few months ago I received a 3″ newtonian as a gift and have managed to get on with it quite well. So far I have hooked up a webcam and taken some good video of the moon + used registax to get some really good stills. What I’m looking for now is a really good scope to goto the next level, I hear all these good makes of scope ie – Meade, but I’m on a small budget! Does the name make a good scope? can u recommend a manufacturer?

  10. kimmykola says:

    @truemartian Thanks for your reply.

  11. truemartian says:

    @kimmykola Yes, the XT8 Classic is just as good a scope as its smaller siblings, the XT4.5 and XT6. It is a bit heftier thought. Consider the weight and try carrying something of equal weight so you get an idea of comfort level.

  12. kimmykola says:

    I would like to thank you for the videos, they have been very informative. I want to purchase my first telescope and was wondering what you opinion was of the Orion Sky Quest XT8. Will this be satisfactory as a beginner’s scope?

  13. tarekubi says:

    @truemartian
    Thank you for your answer! I really appreciate your videos they have been very informative.
    I will keep an eye out for a dobsonian.

    Have a nice day

  14. truemartian says:

    @tarekubi I typically recommend a dobsonian type telescope for beginners but if you can’t find one at reasonable cost, something like the Celestron AstroMaster will get the job done. You will have to take some time to familiarize yourself with polar alignment.

  15. tarekubi says:

    Hi,
    I’m considering getting myself a telescope as a beginner, anyone know if the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD is a good choice?
    Thans :)

  16. truemartian says:

    @jzoid1 Hands down, either an Orion Skyquest XT4.5 classic or an Orion Skyquest XT6 classic.

  17. jzoid1 says:

    Hey cool video, I am a novice at this but I don’t mind paying more for a good quality telescope, which one would you recommend

  18. truemartian says:

    @mikelogical123 I’m sure it will do just fine for now but you might consider upgrading to a larger scope in the future.

  19. mikelogical123 says:

    hi there. i just bought a small 76mm dobsonian newtoinian reflector.is this a good start fr a begginer?thanks.

  20. christopher0981 says:

    too much info 4 me brain

  21. Lagsism says:

    someone suggested surely some mayans know what will happen or kept books…but who knows!

  22. Lagsism says:

    @BIGCHTR looks like!but i guess the same thing would have happened if they´d gone to europe 1st.europeans had weapons and were home….

  23. shlaxberg says:

    i hear its all about the booftnesm these days?

  24. davlor86 says:

    MAYANS RULE!

  25. BIGCHTR says:

    holy shit their good




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