So you got a telescope for xmas now what?

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adrenalynn

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How do I get this new 2.6m RC into geosync orbit and what kinda camera should I affix to it? <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>.</p><p><font size="3">bipartisan</font>  (<span style="color:blue" class="pointer"><span class="pron"><font face="Lucida Sans Unicode" size="2">bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən</font></span></span>) [Adj.]  Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.</p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000"><font color="#ff0000">IMPE</font><font color="#c0c0c0">ACH</font> <font color="#0000ff"><font color="#c0c0c0">O</font>BAMA</font>!</font></strong></p> </div>
 
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tfwthom

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According to my friend Dean Ketelsen at the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab http://mirrorlab.as.arizona.edu/index.php you don't. They tell me that the reason that the mirror in the Hubble is so small is because that was the biggest mirror that would withstand the shock of the launch. (at the time)<br /><br />I had a private tour while they were grinding one of the mirrors for the LBT I would have loved to have taken that home lol.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>
 
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adrenalynn

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Yeah, see - that's my issue right there.<br /><br />Oh well, guess I'll just have to return it. Hope I have the gift receipt for it. Thanks anyway... <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>.</p><p><font size="3">bipartisan</font>  (<span style="color:blue" class="pointer"><span class="pron"><font face="Lucida Sans Unicode" size="2">bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən</font></span></span>) [Adj.]  Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.</p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000"><font color="#ff0000">IMPE</font><font color="#c0c0c0">ACH</font> <font color="#0000ff"><font color="#c0c0c0">O</font>BAMA</font>!</font></strong></p> </div>
 
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bearack

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Bah, my new telescope was to arrive from Colorado Springs yesterday, but the blooming weather played a role in delaying my excitement!<br /><br />Bah Humbug!!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><img id="06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/14/06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" /></p> </div>
 
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adrenalynn

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Grats! You know as soon as you get it, it will be rainy/cloudy for seven days and seven nights, right? That's the law.<br /><br />What'd you end-up getting? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>.</p><p><font size="3">bipartisan</font>  (<span style="color:blue" class="pointer"><span class="pron"><font face="Lucida Sans Unicode" size="2">bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən</font></span></span>) [Adj.]  Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.</p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000"><font color="#ff0000">IMPE</font><font color="#c0c0c0">ACH</font> <font color="#0000ff"><font color="#c0c0c0">O</font>BAMA</font>!</font></strong></p> </div>
 
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bearack

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That's okay. I'm a simple man with simple pleasures. I'll probably try looking at my popcorn ceiling in hopes of discovering a Goldie lochs habitat! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><img id="06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/14/06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" /></p> </div>
 
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bearack

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Oh, forgot to mention. I'm actually getting a telescope I purchase about 3 years ago for my father. It was a pretty nice one and cost me a pretty penny, but until I have it in my little, but anxious hands, I'll have to wait to let you know exactly what the model and type is. My dad has used it once since I bought it and that was there when I was using it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><img id="06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53" src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/6/14/06322a8d-f18d-4ab1-8ea7-150275a4cb53.Large.jpg" alt="blog post photo" /></p> </div>
 
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porkchopsnapplesauce

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<br />Hello,<br /><br />Are there any issues with taking my telescope out in the cold weather?
 
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adrenalynn

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How cold are we talking?<br /><br />The main thing to be concerned about is dew forming and/or icing.<br /><br />With a dew heater, I've had my scope out in -17deg F many times.<br /><br />Welcome to SDC, btw! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>.</p><p><font size="3">bipartisan</font>  (<span style="color:blue" class="pointer"><span class="pron"><font face="Lucida Sans Unicode" size="2">bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən</font></span></span>) [Adj.]  Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.</p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000"><font color="#ff0000">IMPE</font><font color="#c0c0c0">ACH</font> <font color="#0000ff"><font color="#c0c0c0">O</font>BAMA</font>!</font></strong></p> </div>
 
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tfwthom

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No the cold doesn't bother the scope.<br /><br />But<br /><br />You will have to wait awhile for the scope to equalize temperature. And when you take it inside let it warm up and wipe the moisture off it. (if it's a reflector leave the mirror alone)<br /><br />OK forgot about iceing, I'm in Arizona and it's not a major problem here, I think I've only used a dew shield on my SCT one weekend) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1" color="#3366ff">www.siriuslookers.org</font> </div>
 
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porkchopsnapplesauce

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Thanks for the responses. It sounds like I should be safe. I doubt I would be outside if it is under 30F. I recieved the Celestron Firstscope 114 Short Telescope as a gift. I live in Chicago so the light pollution is pretty bad. Any advice on some things I should start off with to start learning how to use a telescope?<br /><br />Thanks
 
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doc3170

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I got an unexpected Christmas present. A well meaning relative bought me a Meade ETX-60AT-BB Telescope. A Department store scope essentially. Not what I would have bought myself, but I’m grateful for it. It performs better than I would have expected, & definitely better than my Binoculars. The Pleiades look great, but Mars was little more than a bright red disc. <br /><br />Tonight I saw the rings of Saturn. At the highest magnification, I could see a dark band above the rings. I’m not sure if it was a band on the planet, or a shadow cast by the rings. <br /><br />Anyway, I’m having lots of fun. BTW, everyone is right about the clouds. I got it early, I’ve had it about 3 weeks & we’ve had about 4 days without clouds. <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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weeman

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<font color="yellow"> Any advice on some things I should start off with to start learning how to use a telescope? <br /> </font><br /><br />Get to know the night sky. The tripod to your telescope should have a scope or dial on it so that you can aim it at Polaris (the north star). This will help tremendously with finding things in the sky. <br /><br />http://www.nightskyinfo.com/<br /><br />The link above is a good site for monthly sitings on the planets, as well as comets and other deep space objects. <br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000">Techies: We do it in the dark. </font></strong></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>"Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity.</strong><strong>" -Albert Einstein </strong></font></p> </div>
 
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