Whats the best telescope for deep space & portable on a budget please :)?

Question

Hi,
I want to buy my boyfriend a telescope for his birthday, we live in a city so there's a fair bit of light pollution - if possible would love to view from our balcony but don't mind a fairly portable telescope we could bung in a car and drive to the hills. :)

So my budget is £200, there's so much choice around that price, I have no idea. My priority is that I want something good for deep space - (nebulae, star, planets, rings, moons, star clusters, etc.). I've been looking on amazon. Please help and make a very happy boyfriend :)

Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, ..., when considering a 'first' telescope, I first suggest that you watch the following video on how to select a first time telescope: http://www.mycarolinatoday.com/2010/08/telescope-101/ Also, the following article will give you some information on how different types of telescopes work, as well as, additional buying tips: http://www.raleighastro.org/observing/general-articles/102-purchasing-a-telescope



Now the best pricing for a decent first scope (given the budget you specified) that I can suggest in the UK is a Dobsonian scope with a 6" mirror from First Light Optics (e.g. Skywatcher Skyliner 150P Dobsonian - ~£182.81).



The dobsonian I suggested is a great visual beginner scope and is super for just taking out to the backyard for casual observing but will definitely hold their own at any amateur astronomy gathering. It is also easy for young people to use and operate. You can do short exposure astrophotography with it but not long exposure astrophotography (for that you need a lot more money - See "Astrophotograpphy for Web Cams - Robert Reeves").



The Dobsonian scope will be much more durable, of higher quality, and you'll be able to see all of the Messier objects (DSO's) plus many of the brighter NCG objects (DSO's), many many stars plus: Mercury, Venus, Earth's Moon, Mars, Jupiter and it's moons, Saturn, its rings and moons, Uranus, Neptune and the dwarf planet Pluto, as well as, many of the minor planets, comets, and asteroids. Plus, it's easy to transport, setup, and use (under 60 seconds from car to ground ... no kidding).



Bottom Line: any scope with less than a 6" mirror (or 150mm of aperture), IMHO, would be a waste of money. See the links below for low priced dobsonian scopes with 6" and 8" mirrors. However, the larger the aperture (size of primary objective ... like an 6", 8", 10", 12" mirror or larger) the better. Also, there are many brands of dobsonian scopes made by many different companies that you can choose from. I only offered these as examples because they are popular with our club members.



For more advice I would suggest that you contact your local astronomy club. You don't have to own a telescope to join! Joining your local astronomy club is the best way to nurture your passion for astronomy. Plus, you'll find that they'll be able to provide you lots of great advice and support for acquiring and operating a telescope.

Answer 2

Although surprises are nice, I strongly recommend that you consult with your boyfriend before buying him a telescope. A telescope is a very personal choice, and you risk disappointment by not involving him in the decision.



In a light pollution situation, the larger the telescope's aperture (diameter of main lens or mirror) the better. Viewing from a balcony is NOT recommended, because even the most solidly built buildings have strongly noticeable vibrations when supporting a telescope, which often magnifies several hundred times. Buildings also have heat currents which blur the view. You will get much better views from a back garden or a park. Getting away from light pollution will greatly improve viewing. Most astronomers today drive to dark sky sites outside their cities.



There's actually very little choice around £200: the only telescope I'd recommend at this price point is the Skywatcher 150P Dobsonian reflector:

http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/astronomical_telescopes/sky-watcher/dobsonians

Most telescopes around this price are little more than children's toys. Don't buy from Amazon; buy from a local telescope store (see list of stockists on that web site).



Here are a few web pages with good information on beginner's telescopes:

http://www.gaherty.ca/tme/TME0702_Buying_a_Telescope.pdf

http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html

http://observers.org/beginner/j.r.f.beginner.html



For more advanced information, read Phil Harrington's Star Ware, 4th edition (Wiley).



You'll get the greatest value for your money with a Newtonian reflector on a Dobsonian mount, such as these:

http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/pc/1/12.uts

http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/swtinc/product.php?class1=1&class2=106



Buy from a store which specializes in telescopes and astronomy, either locally or online; don't buy from department stores, discount stores or eBay as mostly what they sell is junk. Find your local astronomy club and try out different telescopes at one of their star parties:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations



I strongly recommend that beginners steer clear of astrophotography until they have learned their way around the sky. Astrophotography is by far the most expensive and difficult area of amateur astronomy.



Many people who buy telescopes have no idea how to find interesting things to observe. A good introduction to finding things is NightWatch by Terence Dickinson (Firefly). A more advanced book is Star Watch by Phil Harrington (Wiley).

Answer 3

I will give you telescope for free. I know it's not good answer for you.

but... Hope it helps.

It has a different lense for searching nature.

"making mass uniontera" search word at Youtube.