![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JenStar on June 1, 2005, at 17:01:33
A friend of mine at work was really into astronomy & used to bring in these fantastic pictures he took of the moon & other "things" (I'm so ignorant I don't even remember what they were.) I'm actually interested in getting a telescope, not too expensive, but something I can use to check out the moon & the other "stuff" that is out there. I love taking pictures so eventually it might be cool to add a camera to the mix (can you take pictures thru a telescope?)
Does anyone have expertise and could give me advice on what would be a good starter setup?
thanks!
JenStar
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 1, 2005, at 17:59:43
In reply to advice about telescopes - Deneb, or anyone else?, posted by JenStar on June 1, 2005, at 17:01:33
> A friend of mine at work was really into astronomy & used to bring in these fantastic pictures he took of the moon & other "things" (I'm so ignorant I don't even remember what they were.) I'm actually interested in getting a telescope, not too expensive, but something I can use to check out the moon & the other "stuff" that is out there.
One of the best ways to find out what stuff is available is to join an astronomy club. Often, a long time member will have upgraded their equipment, and have some good quality stuff available at a steep discount, compared to new prices.
In the summer, there are often "outreach" evenings, where a club will set up a number of telescopes for novices or interested people to use.
> I love taking pictures so eventually it might be cool to add a camera to the mix (can you take pictures thru a telescope?)
Sure, with the right adapters. One problem is the dimness of most celestial objects. In order to capture enough light to record an image, you have very long exposure times. The Earth's rotation through space becomes a significant factor in all but the briefest of exposures. You have to get a special motorized telescope mount to cancel out the rotation of the Earth.....otherwise the Earth rotates right out from under the object you're photographing.
Again, used equipment can save a bundle.
> Does anyone have expertise and could give me advice on what would be a good starter setup?
>
> thanks!
> JenStarDepends on exactly what you want to view. If you want to photograph deep space objects (e.g. nebulas), your equipment will differ somewhat (more costly) from that needed to view or photograph e.g. planets.
The best thing is to hang with people who already have the equipment. Most are enthusiastic to share what they have and know about the subject.
Lar
Posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 18:06:13
In reply to advice about telescopes - Deneb, or anyone else?, posted by JenStar on June 1, 2005, at 17:01:33
> I'm actually interested in getting a telescope, not too expensive, but something I can use to check out the moon & the other "stuff" that is out there. I love taking pictures so eventually it might be cool to add a camera to the mix (can you take pictures thru a telescope?)
Hi JenStar...thanks for taking my mind off to a better place :-)
If you've never done any observing before, it is quite the leap to go into something like astrophotography...you need very special equipment and it can get *very* expensive.Most people think that they need a telescope to enjoy astronomy, this is not true at all. If you do not *know* your way around the sky it can be next to impossible to find things using a telescope. (unless you use a GOTO telescope that goes wherever you *tell* it to go to...but IMO this takes a lot of the fun of of astromony). For the absolute beginner, you may just need to get a red flashlight, some bug repellent and a planisphere. You can start by learning your constellations. You can also get a pair of good binoculars with at least a 50mm aperture...make sure they are the porro prism design...it is much less expensive than roof prisms and of much better quality for the price. If you want to hand hold the binos (as opposed to using a tripod)...make sure you do not use binos with a magnification of more than 10x...things get very shaky otherwise.
I myself don't even own a telescope...the club I belong to is great. They like to setup "sidewalk" astronomy sessions where they set up telescopes on the sidewalk so people can have a look at the moon and planets. When the MallinCam is setup (a type of CCD camera a member invented), people can even see galaxies in the light polluted skies of a parking lot!!! They are great...they let me go out to dark skies with them and have a look into their scopes. I only own a pair of 10x50 porro prism binos...I actually got them as a gift from a member of the group! They aren't high class but they do the trick! If you decide to go the bino route, I have lots of other advice I've dug up.
If you really really want a telescope...the MOST important thing is: DO NOT EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES...BUY A CHEAP SCOPE!!! AKA DEPARTMENT STORE SCOPES! You can usualy tell department store scopes from "serious" scopes by the wording on the fancy packaging...most of the time they say something riduculous like...gives 450 power magnification or something. They are usually medium quality refractors with a 60mm objective lens. The problem is not with the lens itself...it is the mount. They are totally inadequate and you will be lucky to see anything more than the moon with these scopes.
If you are serious about getting a telescope, you have to expect to spend at least $300. For just observing, the simplest and best value scope is a newtonian reflector on a dobsonian mount. They give the largest aperture for the dollar and are very easy to use.
If you plan on doing astrophotography, you will need an equatorial mount etc.
It is possible to do some very simple astrophotography with a digital camera though...just point and shoot from the eyepiece. It is impossible to get shots of nebulas or galaxies and other faint objects though. Your best bet would be to shot pics of the moon...the moon is a wonderful object to study...most people are completely floored the first time they see the moon through a telescope. The good thing is, any telescope will do and you don't need to travel kilometres just to get away from city lights...cuz the moon is glaringly bright! Wow, this really cheered me up! There is a lot more I could share, but I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm not even sure you want to know all this info!
jenny
>
> Does anyone have expertise and could give me advice on what would be a good starter setup?
>
> thanks!
> JenStar
Posted by JenStar on June 1, 2005, at 20:09:41
In reply to Re: advice about telescopes - Deneb, or anyone else? » JenStar, posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 18:06:13
hi Deneb,
that was even better than I had hoped to get! What a thorough, thoughtful response. Thanks so much. It really gives me a lot to think about. I enjoyed reading it. I don't understand all of the "technical" astronomy stuff but hopefully I will learn quickly...I think I will definitely check out any clubs in my area and see if I can join up and share equipment before I buy. I know I saw some telescopes at the local camera store, but I don't know the quality of them. I"m afraid they might be the kind you mentioned - the cheap kind. I will have to do some more research first!
Is it hard to find clubs to join? Should I check the paper or web? Actually maybe I could email that guy who used to bring in pictures. Maybe he could tell me where to get started...but I haven't talked to him in a loooong time. Do you think it would be weird if you got a call from someone you knew a long time ago asking about astronomy & telescopes? Would he think that was weird? Or would he then feel obligated to ask me to join him, even if he doesn't really like me? (Am I overthinking this???)
Thanks again for all the advice!
JenStar
Posted by JenStar on June 1, 2005, at 20:10:53
In reply to Re: advice about telescopes - Deneb, or anyone else? » JenStar, posted by Larry Hoover on June 1, 2005, at 17:59:43
thanks for the advice. I will definitely try to find a club in my area. I hope there are some! It's amazing what you can find when you start to look, right?
thanks again!
jenStar
Posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 20:27:33
In reply to Re: advice about telescopes - Deneb, or anyone else? » JenStar, posted by Larry Hoover on June 1, 2005, at 17:59:43
> One of the best ways to find out what stuff is available is to join an astronomy club.
I agree with Larry here. :-) Most astronomy clubs will welcome people who are new to the hobby. You can see if you like the hobby before you actually buy anything. A lot of people see fancy colourful pics of galaxies and nebulas and think that you can see this in a telescope...but photographs are very different from naked eye viewing. First, you will *not* be able to see galaxies in colour. You may be surprised to know that the most colour you will see will come from the stars themselves. Arcturus and Antares are a very nice orangy colour...I love looking at Antares! Albireo is a really nice double star...it is blue and gold, very nice contrast. In astronomy, esp. naked-eye astronomy...one is gratful just to be able to see a deep space object like a galaxy, star cluster or nebula...usually with averted vision (not staring directly at the object). Most of the amazement and pleasure comes from knowledge of what one is actually seeing. Usually things will look like a "grey blob" to the untrained eye.
I'm still a novice at this astronomy stuff...I still have *much* to learn. It can be a very relaxing hobby...it doesn't have to involve great scientific knowledge or calculations or anything like that. :-) Mostly it is camping out under beautiful dark skies and just enjoying the heavens and sharing views with others. I wish I could take you to one of the outings...the group is a great friendly bunch...we like having midnight BBQs!...cuz we get so darn hungry observing all night!
Posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 20:36:36
In reply to Re: advice about telescopes - Deneb, or anyone else?, posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 20:27:33
Instead of "naked-eyed" viewing...I meant to say viewing with the eyes through a telescope or pair of binoculars...silly me, I got confused, maybe too excited. :-)
BTW, one CAN see some DSOs with naked eyes only...you need *very* dark and clear skies thought. One can see quite a few star clusters and even a galaxy (besides ours of course...which is *amazing* BTW)...M31, the Andromeda Galaxy...our closest neighbour. :-)
Posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 20:55:24
In reply to what an AWESOME post! Thanks! » Deneb, posted by JenStar on June 1, 2005, at 20:09:41
> Is it hard to find clubs to join? Should I check the paper or web?
You could try and google for any local clubs. Some universities have astronomy clubs I think. I highly recomend the more "causal" clubs. Some clubs like RASC (The Royal Astronomy Society in Canada) require fees to join and are quite structured...with lectures etc. The group I belong to entirely free to join...everything is done on a volunteer basis...that is the vision of the group founder (who also makes MallinCams). He insists that no fees shall ever be paid by any member. The mission statement is to introduce as many people to astronomy as possible. :-) I love it. He even *bought* a piece of land in a dark sky location just for the club! (cuz our dark sky locations where disappearing quickly)...That guy is seriously committed to his vision. :-)
>Actually maybe I could email that guy who used to bring in pictures. Maybe he could tell me where to get started...but I haven't talked to him in a loooong time. Do you think it would be weird if you got a call from someone you knew a long time ago asking about astronomy & telescopes? Would he think that was weird? Or would he then feel obligated to ask me to join him, even if he doesn't really like me? (Am I overthinking this???)
Yes, I think you are overthinking this :-) I don't think it's that "wierd" to e-mail someone for some info...even if he doesn't remember you. I think he'll be pleasantly surprised that he was able to get someone interested in his hobby. :-)
Thank-YOU JenStar...you made my day you know :-)
jenny
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.