What is a very good telescope that I can purchase which has the capability to let me view planets and comets?
n a b z i l l a ♥ asked:
My friend has his birthday coming up and he’s really into astronomy and the such and has wanted a telescope for a while. I was wondering what would be a really good telescope to get him that isn’t too expensive. Also I would like to know the details, eg magnification or whatever, because im not really familiar with telescopes. Thank you.
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My friend has his birthday coming up and he’s really into astronomy and the such and has wanted a telescope for a while. I was wondering what would be a really good telescope to get him that isn’t too expensive. Also I would like to know the details, eg magnification or whatever, because im not really familiar with telescopes. Thank you.
July 6th, 2010 at 12:23 am
this one is probably the best bang for your buck
hope your friend likes it Sergio™
July 8th, 2010 at 5:05 am
planets are easily able to be viewed by most all telescopes, not just really large ones. comets however are very sparsely able to be seen through telescopes that arnt totally massive. Dallas
July 8th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
“A really good telescope that isn’t too expensive”
I recognize many of the people who post here on telescopes, and “really good telescopes” go from $1,000 to $25,000 in the amateur range.
What you want is a reasonably good quality beginner’s telescope.
I’m going to refer you to three different places. Use their 800 numbers and tell them you want a good quality beginners scope. These are telescope stores. They will listen to what you want and make suggestions. The two leading contenders are the Orion Star Blast 4.5″ and the Orion XT4.5″.
These are small, portable, very solid, and come with a couple of eyepieces. You’re looking at the $200 neighborhood.
There’s the Celestron Firstscope, but really, there’s a point at which a low price point really sacrifices too much. You won’t get much of a view of Jupiter from a Firstscope, but you’ll do pretty good with an XT4.5. The celestron has a nice little video though. Educational on certain terms, such as focal length and what eyepieces are, etc., and soothing New Age music. They are correct that the Dobsonian style mount (which the Orion scopes also are) is the best, most stable inexpensive mount out there. But I would bypass the $100 options. The beginning of usable equipment that will help build enthusiasm for the sky is $200 and over. when you go lower than that, the view is dim, the mount tends to get unstable, the scope gets to be difficult to point and use.
I will say, however, that if $200 seems like too much that might want to contact other people who know this friend and see if they will go in on it with you. Four people could do it for $50 or $60 each. Maybe his parents?
hope that helps,
GN gn
July 12th, 2010 at 12:31 am
I’d recommend the Orion xt8
It’s under $400 yet packs enough punch to keep him busy for a long time. Especially if he stays interested and wants to view other celestial objects
Definitely stay away from any department store telescopes as they just tend to frustrate as they are difficult and unwieldy. The xt8 is nice and simple to use, just point and look
If the xt8 is a little too pricey the xt6 is even less, and still quite nice Oren
July 12th, 2010 at 7:20 am
I would like to recommend that you NOT purchase a telescope for him, especially if you are unsure of what you are buying. INSTEAD, I would like to suggest that you purchase a membership to a local Astronomical Society or astronomy club. These clubs are a great wealth of information, friendship, astronomical observing opportunities, presentations, guest speakers, loaner equipment, monthly meetings—oh I could go on and on! If your friend really does love astronomy, a membership to one of these clubs is really the first step that he should take.
These websites will help you find a club in your area: B.