1st telescope PLEASE HELP

michaelshai · Feb 3, 2009

hi there, Im in the market to buy my first telescope,im a beginner..this is for me and my 5 yr old son, i want him to have an intrest in science and space.......and if its possible to tell me if ill be able to see other galaxies and planets with eigther of these 2 telescopes..and if it is something good to start of with.but I need help, i dont want to but one then later regret it. I have come across 2 and i was wondering if this is worth buying?..the specs are : <h2 style="margin:3.6pt0cm">Technical Specifications</h2><ul><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt">Objective Lens diameter: 130 mm </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt">Focal Length: 1000 mm </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt">Eyepiece: 1.25 – PLOSSL 10 mm & 20mm, SR4 </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt">Barlow Lens: 1.25-2x / Magnification: 50x-500x </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt">Finder scope: 6x30mm / Mount: EQ3  </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt">Tripod: Aluminium </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt">Accessories: Accessory tray, 1.25-moon filter </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt">Tube material: Aluminium. </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt">Gaze the heavens with the K-Way Celestial, an elegant aluminium scope with up to 500x magnifaction. The objective lense diameter is 130mm, and the focal length 1000mm. Includes an EQ3 mount and moon filter. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/13/e6edbabd-5537-4640-adeb-a48304f2ad84.Medium.jpg" alt="" />   this one i can get at R1600.00..</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"> </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"> then there is this one</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt">- Diameter/Aperture: 114mm - Focal Length: 500mm - Aluminized and overcoated mirrors - Red dot finder for easy locating of celestial objects - 125% more light than 76mm and 165% more than 70mm Refractor - Smooth rack-and-pinion 1.25" focuser - 114 primary mirror collects enough light to reveal a wealth of celestial objects - Paraboloidal secondary mirrior - Sturdy Aluminum tripod</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"> <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/8/7/581dc985-c4c5-468d-b709-0b0ed35b4129.Medium.jpg" alt="" />....this one is R1200.00</li></ul> Your help and info is much appriciatedKind regardsMichael. <ul><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt"> </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm0cm0pt;tab-stops:list36.0pt">    </li></ul>

shuttle_guy · Feb 3, 2009

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>hi there, Im in the market to buy my first telescope,im a beginner..this is for me and my 5 yr old son, i want him to have an intrest in science and space.......and if its possible to tell me if ill be able to see other galaxies and planets with eigther of these 2 telescopes..and if it is something good to start of with.but I need help, i dont want to but one then later regret it. I have come across 2 and i was wondering if this is worth buying?..the specs are : Technical SpecificationsObjective Lens diameter: 130 mm Focal Length: 1000 mm Eyepiece: 1.25 – PLOSSL 10 mm & 20mm, SR4 Barlow Lens: 1.25-2x / Magnification: 50x-500x Finder scope: 6x30mm / Mount: EQ3  Tripod: Aluminium Accessories: Accessory tray, 1.25-moon filter Tube material: Aluminium. Gaze the heavens with the K-Way Celestial, an elegant aluminium scope with up to 500x magnifaction. The objective lense diameter is 130mm, and the focal length 1000mm. Includes an EQ3 mount and moon filter.   this one i can get at R1600.00..  then there is this one- Diameter/Aperture: 114mm- Focal Length: 500mm- Aluminized and overcoated mirrors- Red dot finder for easy locating of celestial objects- 125% more light than 76mm and 165% more than 70mm Refractor - Smooth rack-and-pinion 1.25" focuser- 114 primary mirror collects enough light to reveal a wealth of celestial objects - Paraboloidal secondary mirrior - Sturdy Aluminum tripod....this one is R1200.00 Your help and info is much appriciatedKind regardsMichael.      Posted by michaelshai</DIV> Hang on, I am sure that the experts here will be able to help you. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Feb 3, 2009

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> Hang on, I am sure that the experts here will be able to help you. Posted by shuttle_guy</DIV> In the meantime, I'd suggest reading though the thread titled "Looking to buy your first telescope Part 2". There's a ton of good information there. Pay particular attention to the suggestion to attend visit a local astronomy club.It's the best advice I can recommend before buying your first scope. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

michaelshai · Feb 4, 2009

thanks guys ill have a look at that thread....what do u guys think of the skywatcher

Saiph · Feb 4, 2009

My general advice to first time telescope users is: Stay simple!  My other one is: Diameter is what matters!Don't worry about "magnification", that's a marketing red herring.  The main determining factor of the performance of a telescope is the diameter of the main objective lense/mirror.  A 4" mirror is a good start for a beginner.  Gives you a good view of easy to find objects, is light and easily transported, and doesn't require much finesse to find/center an object.  6" is also a good, and only slightly more expensive prospect.The big key here is ease of use and transportation.  Take a look at the telescope mount on the scope you posted, that's a nice equatorial mount...but it's canted at odd angles, has nobs and counterweights...and could just prove frustrating for someone who isn't even used to just looking at the stars through the scope.I highly suggest a simpler design, commonly called a 'dobsonian' after the man who popularized it.  Here's Orion's page for them:  http://www.telescope.com/control/category/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes They're easy to use, setup and transport.  They also give a large diameter - price ratio.  This means you'll likely use it, and even if you don't, you haven't burned a hole in your wallet for an expensive paperweight.  And once you get accustomed to using one of these, it's far easier to step up to more elaborate scopes. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

crazyeddie · Feb 4, 2009

I advise you to not buy either one of these scopes.  The first one is one of those notorious "short tube" reflectors which are noted for terrible optics.  The second one is somewhat better, but only marginally.  I suggest that you buy a 6" F/8 dobsonian reflector from Orion telescopes, or the 8" F/5.9 version, if you can afford it and have the room.  The former one will excell at viewing planets, and the latter will be better for viewing galaxies, due to it's greater aperture. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

adrenalynn · Feb 4, 2009

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The former one will excell at viewing planets, and the latter will be better for viewing galaxies, due to it's greater aperture. Posted by crazyeddie</DIV> The former limited by how stable the atmosphere is (high pollution and haze need-not-apply), and the later limited generally by how dark your sky is. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> .bipartisan (bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən) [Adj.] Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.IMPEACH OBAMA! </div>

AstroHurricane001 · Feb 14, 2009

Almost any telescope will show you the Andromeda Galaxy, the rings of Saturn, the moons of Jupiter, the cresent of Venus, incredible detail on the moon, etc. A 130-mm telescope has about 30% more light-gathering power than a 114-mm. I personally own a telescope similar to the second one, but longer (see my picture). Short-tube telescopes are better for deep-sky objects than planetary detail. Make sure your mount is sturdy enough for the telescope. Also, is "R" in Rupees? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

AstroHurricane001 · Feb 14, 2009

Also, make sure you know what you are looking for when you view an astronmical object, and where in the sky it is. There are some books that can guide you in finding these objects. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

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1st telescope PLEASE HELP

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