A couple questions

[ryan125]

I'm going to start astronomy <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I'm 18 years old, no job so i have very little budget.<br /><br />I have a MEADE ETX-60AT, with autostar computer controller. It has no special add-ons. Right now I have two eye pieces for it a 9mm and a 25mm, does any one know if the Meade company sells eye pieces with a greater resolution that would fit my telescope?<br /><br />Also I live near Phoenix Arizona, i'm pretty much almost useless when it comes to finding anything in the sky except for the moon. Is there a site that has a star chart (as well as explains how to use it) that covers my area?<br /><br />anything would help!! you guys have already answered a lot of my questions so im in debt to you already <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[deapfreeze]

Good time as any to start. I think you will have alot of fun I do. For eye pieces you could go to the meade website.<br />http://www.meade.com/productguide/index.html<br /><br />Have fun. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#0000ff"><em>William ( deapfreeze ) Hooper</em></font></p><p><font size="1">http://deapfreeze-amateur-astronomy.tk/</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[dragon04]

I really enjoy astronomy, but it's always been such a hassle.<br /><br />I own a cheap refractor on a "spindly" mount with a spotting scope that is utterly useless. You get what you pay for and all.<br /><br />It's cool when I get Jupiter and its larger moons sighted in and whatnot, but it's not really worth the time and effort I have to go to.<br /><br />I never seem to be able to look at stuff without being somewhat of a contortionist.<br /><br />I'd love some tips to make the experience more enjoyable.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>"2012.. Year of the Dragon!! Get on the Dragon Wagon!".</em> </div>

 

[nexium]

I have also been turned off by the hassle. Apparently you see nothing though a telescope if your eye is off the center (by one milimeter) of the lense closest to the eye. Can the telescope design be changed so the position of the eye is less critical? Neil

 

[MeteorWayne]

Yes, in general use a lower power lens. High power lenses tend to be very critical.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[tfwthom]

Join a club, you will get more then you can ask for. Shop around to find which fits your needs best. Besides star parties are the best places to "test drive" a scope or and eyepiece before you buy.<br /><br />Most of the big public astronomy players are ramping up for the Grand Canyon Star Party June 9th-13th (thats where I'm heading) but there is something going on somewhere every dark weekend here in Arizona. (weather permiting)<br /><br />Depending on where you are in PHX there is going to be a club near you.<br /><br /> SAC <br /><br /> EVAC <br /><br /> West Valley <br /><br /> PAS <br /><br /> Desert Foothills <br /><br />SAC and EVAC are the "Big Two" of the Phoenix area. SAC hosts the All Arizona Messier Marathon in March, EVAC hosts the All Arizona Star Party in October.<br /><br />PAS is the oldest club in Phoenix but has fallen on hard times (well the last time I went to one of their meetings, they may and will improve) West Valley was Sun City with older members but has relocated and I'm told is getting a younger crowd. (at least the ones showing up at the GCSP are younger) Desert Foothills is new, just started in Anthem.<br /><br />I live on the north side of Phoenix (Happy Valley and I-17) and belong to the Sedona club (non-voting member of the Tucson and Flagstaff clubs) We hold a Messier Marathon at our Two Trees site in Coconino National Forest. It's a drive to a meeting but dark skies are worth it (to me)<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>

 

[heyscottie]

Okay...<br /><br />First, your telescope has an aperture of 60 mm, and a focal length of 350 mm.<br /><br />A good rule of thumb is that you should not try to push your telescope to a magnification that is more than 50*aperture in inches. In your case, this would be about 118x.<br /><br />Magnification is measured by focal length of telescope/focal length of eyepiece. This means that the shortest focal length eyepiece you could really use would be a 3 mm. (The shortest that is readily available is probably a 4 mm).<br /><br />Your two eyepieces give you magnifications of 39x and 14x, both relatively low power views. I would recommend that you get a decent 2x Barlow lens. A Barlow works to effectively double the focal length of your telescope, meaning you can get double the magnifications for each of the lenses you have. It's a good buy, because you are effectively doubling the number of eyepieces you own with a single purchase. Be cautioned, though -- a cheapo Barlow is hardly worth the effort.<br /><br />An excellent site for you would be heavens-above.com. You can print out a star chart for any location on the globe for any time of the day you like. It will show you positions of planets and stars. It does not, however, give you good information about good telescopic targets.<br /><br />An excellent book I can recommend for you is "The Monthly Sky Guide" by Wil Tirion and Ian Ridpath. You can find it at a bookstore or online for about $15 or so. It has star charts and good beginner targets for each month of the year. It is a wonderful resource for those who are starting out.<br /><br />Good skies!<br /><br />Scott

 

[tfwthom]

ryan125<br /><br />Something you might want to look at since you are in Arizona is az-observing <br /><br />It's not a place to ask questions like this but it keeps up on what is going on in astronomy and where it's happening in Arizona. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>