another telescope question (sorry)

[jindivik]

so i finally got a job! (WOOHOO!) and in a month or so i should have enough money to buy my FIRST TELESCOPE!<br />in this time i will be snooping around for the scope which is right for me, with your help if you can take the time <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />i live in England so if anyone knows of any good English suppliers?<br /><br />what i'm looking for (heres where i sound newbie <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />)<br /><br />i'm looking for a nice reflector, for a beginner obviously but with enough power *please excuse me for using the word power* to keep me occupied on the more deep-sky objects<br /><br />im out in the garden, which is really quite dark sky and know my way around the sky reasonably well, i use starry night as a guide too and have had a lot of practise with binoculars, so finding what i'm looking for shouldnt be a very big problem<br /><br />i like the Orion SkyQuest XT6 IntelliScope, it isn't out of my price range but i can't find anywhere in the uk that stocks them, and i think i rememeber someone saying Orion don't ship to the UK?...anyway, shipping costs would probably be too much<br /><br />im willing to spend roughly £400, which is around $500 (i think)<br /><br />hoping to get it before Mars comes in October, maybe i can get a decent look at it this time<br /><br />i have read suggestions from people to visit star parties, but i don't think there are any in North West England, if anyone has any information on UK star parties that would be appreciated too <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> sorry to sound so inexperienced, but hey, i have to start somewhere <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />

 

[jindivik]

also, depending on the size of it i will probably have to store it in my garage (soon to be converted into a conservatory). It gets quite cold in there in the winter and with the washing machine/drier on quite damp too, i'm guessing this could damage the telescope. Would i have to keep it in the house, or would it be ok with an old sheet over the top?

 

[Saiph]

The cold shouldn't be an issue, it may even be a boon. It means your scope is closer to the outside temperature, and will have the minimum amount of "thermal" noise (drafts caused by temperature differences). <br /><br />The damp...may be a problem, just keep it covered, and in the dryest area practical.<br /><br />As for specific telescope recommendations...sorry. I steal time on other peoples scopes (big, permanently mounted 16" research grade instruments...droool). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#c0c0c0"><br /></font></p><p align="center"><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">----</font></em></font><font color="#666699">SaiphMOD@gmail.com </font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">-------------------</font></em></font></p><p><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">"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" -- </font></em></font><font size="1" color="#999999">The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[aerospacealpha]

Well I use an ETX-70AT as a beginner telescope. It's pretty good especialy if you have the lens kit and filters.<br />Deep sky objects is not really a thing for a 70mm that I have, even with the lenses that I have. For looking at planets with a really inexpensive telescope...I recomend my ETX-70AT If you can afford the lenses also. If not then try to look at an ETX-90 since it has a finder. I'm not an expert but this is my 2 cents.

 

[averygoodspirit]

Try this web site<br /><br />http://www.telescopes.uk.com/Astrodealers.htm <br /><br />Meade makes nice and inexpensive reflector telescopes <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[nevers]

Try this link Orion International Orders and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Oh, and DON"T EVER be sorry about asking questions...mkay! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[bbrock]

If your familiar with the sky, use Starry Night and binoculars, a dark sky for viewing -- why get an Intelliscope? Use the money to go up in aperature. You can go to an XT8 for around $350 and an XT10 for just over $500. <br /><br />Clear Skies<br />Bill

 

[jindivik]

thanks for the link nevers, i found an Orion XT8 for £389, which fits my price range, maybe i can go a bit extra and get the controller too but maybe i wont need to use it <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> an extra £90...it's just convincing my dad that i'm not wasting my money...heh, but it's my hobby & money so sod him <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[aerospacealpha]

And remember to not clean the optics with pressurized blow cans or try wiping them. It's better to deal with a little dust than a scratch.