Telescope Buying Guide

postacaja asked:


We are setting up an astronomy club and looking for a telescope. We want a good one ( some thing like Meade ETX range) and we are a group of students not able to afford one.

Hally asked:


Recently I have become interested in the idea of amateur astronomy. How much do I need to spend on a telescope to be able to see anything interesting? What kind of telescope do I need? What strength magnification do I need? How much do I need to spend?

Dixie Girl asked:


Me and my sister are tryin to make a telescope instead of buy one. We need to know what we would use and how to put it together. If you could help us out I’d really appreciate it! Thanks.

Kay asked:


I’m planning to build my own telescope from scratch.

I need some help coming up with ideas of what exactly to DO for my actual project, after the telescope is completed. Any ideas? I need a high school level project.

Also, I want the telescope to be a medium size, not a really small one. I want one that stands up. How much would this cost approximately, if anyone knows?

Simsim asked:


I heard that eyepieces that deliver great views in a long focal ratio refractor might perform poorly in a “fast” newtonian.

What are the factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing eyepieces for a “fast” newtonian?
- which eyepiece design works better?
- does the focal length of the eyepiece have any effect on image quality?
…

My telescope is a 203mm, f=1200mm Dob.
Thanks!

C B asked:


My son wants a telescope for Christmas, but we’re pretty uneducated as to which kind to get. He is 10, but extremely smart and interested. We don’t want a piece of junk, but yet we want something good enough to support his interest. Advice??

megan n asked:


I’m writing a report on the Hubble telescope and I can’t quite find long long it tock to make it. I would like to know this as soon as possiable because I need to finish my report by Dec. 4

ron9baseball asked:


If there were men on the Moon, on a night with ideal meteorological conditions - could you see those men with a relatively inexpensive amateur telescope?
Wow, I figured at worst someone would say we’d need to go to that telescope in Hawaii or something.

At what distance between the Earth’s outer atmosphere and the Moon would a land based telescope lose sight of Moon bound space craft? 25% of the way? 5% of the way?

phantomknightlad asked:


I heard that the hubble telescope is able to see the universe just after it was born. I do not see how this is possible because I figure the light from the initial big bang would have passed by earth long ago. Are we seeing a slower form of light, or am I just missing something?

jackie_vora asked:


What are things I should look for when buying a telescope?

What are the good brands out there?

Some telescopes that you can recommend for first time user & buyer?

Price range willing to $100-$300