Star gazing

[Dr W]

So I'm quite interested in doing some star gazing as you get some good views of the sky near me (little light pollution).

 

I've been told that it's a better idea to get started with a decent pair of binoculars rather than jumping into buying a telescope.

 

So could anyone who knows about these things recommend any decent makes that are good for staring into the skies.

 

Thanks

 

Dr W

[mick miller]

You can indeed use binos, a quality set, for star gazing. Certainly you can make out the colours of planets, spot our nearest nebula, follow the course of comets that enter the solar system. We used binos to follow the most recent visit of Halley's comet. However, you do tend to suffer with the wobbles, a lot. If you are anyway near serious about it you may be better opting for a small reflector from the off.

 

I'm not the expert, my brother is really the astronomy buff so I'll ask him and get back to you shortly.

 

Update: 10 x 50 coated to start, 15 x 70 are the natural upgrade but you'd need a tripod mount for these. Or a reflector; £150 budget for a dobsonian mounted newtonian reflector (skywatcher are a good make) first light optics have a good website.

 

Oh and get yourself a planisphere.

Edited March 3, 2011 by mick miller

[John_R]

I agree that 10x is about right for hand held. My first pair were Meade 12x50 and I quickly added the tripod adapter.

[canthitathing]

These should do the trick

[Dr W]

Thanks for info Mick. I thought Binoculars would be more portable and practical and could also use them during the day.

 

Think I might just go 15x70 straight off with a tripod then, need to do some research on good makes.

 

Word on the street is that Lidl do some decent 10x50 ones for £12 but they sell out fast, need to keep a look out.

[weejase]

I bought the lidl bresser 10x50 binoculars last year and they are excellent

[mick miller]

My brother mentioned both Lidl and Aldi for value binos. But then I mentioned you are a Doctor and he said 'oh, screw it then, tell him to go buy a posh pair!'.

 

Joking aside, that internet shop (Google First Light Optics) has several good makes that won't break the bank and many are recommended by Sir P of Sky at Night. You do need, will need a planisphere.

[Dr W]

Ha ha Unfortunately not a doctor.

 

I was thinking about a pair of Celestron 15x70 binoculars they seem to get a decent write up and are only about £65, would need a tripod with them so need to find out what sort to go for.

 

What's a planisphere?

 

Edit: ah now I know (the power of google)

Edited March 3, 2011 by Dr W

[mfletch]

Can I just say that with binoculars you get what you pay for

[mick miller]

It's true you get what you pay for but there's some major steps involved in pricing. To begin with you don't need a pair of swaro's for instance. Some of those at first light optics are sub £100 but really very good.

 

A planisphere is a disc, with a centre rivet. It maps the stars and constellations visible in each direction at any time of year, you just turn the outer dial till it matches the correct date/time. It's also good to go out and simply learn to identify one new constellation a week, within a short time you can work out the constellations and stars, planets (visible at certain times of the year) and learn to navigate your way around the nights sky. They're about £15 or so.

Edited March 3, 2011 by mick miller

[apache]

Can I just say that with binoculars you get what you pay for

So true. I have a few cheap pairs around the £10-50 mark and they are ok. I recently bought some 'Minox' brand 10X42 and the clarity is amazing, but they cost a couple of hundred pounds. They are not up there with Zeiss S&B or Swaro but closer to that end of the spectrum than the £20 market jobbies.

 

At night you'll be glad you spent the money. I could have bought a cracking pair with the money I've wasted on cheaper ones!

[billytheghillie]

try this site www.scopesnskies.com

[jacksdad]

I'm a novice at this, but want a telescope, when I've got the cash!

Re planisphere, this any good?

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Philips-Planisphere-Northern-51-5-Degrees-NEW-UNUSED-/160552459367?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item2561ac1c67

[John_R]

A good book to help get around the night sky is called Turn Left at Orion, I think I got mine from Amazon. It tells you the whys and wherefores about the stars and planets in sensible language, and describes how to find 100 varied objects.

 

It grades them according to difficulty in finding, and brightness, and tells you if you can use binoculars or a telescope. None of the objects are so faint so as to need a big scope, though of course your own location's local light pollution will have a bearing on that.

[John_R]

I'm a novice at this, but want a telescope, when I've got the cash!

Re planisphere, this any good?

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Philips-Planisphere-Northern-51-5-Degrees-NEW-UNUSED-/160552459367?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item2561ac1c67

 

Philips is a good one.

[fenix]

I picked these up after a ecomendation from a member of the local astronomy club

http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/Revelation_15x70_Binocular_Special_Offer.html#aBC011

they come with a tripod adapter.

[Fisherman Mike]

So I'm quite interested in doing some star gazing as you get some good views of the sky near me (little light pollution).

 

I've been told that it's a better idea to get started with a decent pair of binoculars rather than jumping into buying a telescope.

 

So could anyone who knows about these things recommend any decent makes that are good for staring into the skies.

 

Thanks

 

Dr W

 

 

Binoculars are not ideal for Astral work, the magnification dictates that you will need a tripod to secure a steady image. Purchasing a pair of Binoculars of 15x magnification and hoping they will do for terrestrial work as well is folly and a waste of money unless you are prepared to lug the tripod around with you or have hands as steady as a neuro surgeon or Olympic pistol champion. Also using Binoculars with a tripod for astronomy is going to put a serious crick in your neck unless you can get below the eye pieces and you will need a pretty tall tripod to do this. I would advise you to buy a entry level refractory telescope like a Meade. You should be able to get one for sub 100 sovs if you shop about. This will bring images to the table that even a pair of £1500 leicas wont, Also with a angled eyepiece you can gaze in comfort in a natural position without ending up with a stiff neck and getting bored after an hour or so. 10 x bins are ok if you want to look at the cheese in the neighbours sandwiches but at the surface of the moon....No Use the right tool for the job.

Edited March 3, 2011 by Fisherman Mike

[Dr W]

I picked these up after a ecomendation from a member of the local astronomy club

http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/Revelation_15x70_Binocular_Special_Offer.html#aBC011

they come with a tripod adapter.

 

These are similar (made in the same factory I believe) to the Celestron 15x70 ones I was looking at.

 

FM - All the websites I've been looking at suggested starting with binoculars. I thought I'd get a tripod and stand it so I could sit in a garden chair and look through them without doing my neck in. Do you think this is not a good idea? I thought binoculars would be good as could use during the day as well. Also seems that most people with telescopes also have a pair of binoculars for scanning the sky? Do you think be better to get some 10x50s I can use in hands and then get a telescope at a later date?

[mick miller]

You can easily start with those or the revelations, no need to spend big bucks. Garden chair and frequent moves will work fine. If you get the bug buy a proper newtonian reflector. Good luck.

 

There's a load of stuff to learn and be happy with before having to spend on a scope. A Phillips planisphere will do fine (I can't find mine to tell you the make, it's a while since I used it). A tripod is very handy though, otherwsie the wobbles will eventually drive you nuts.

[Dr W]

Thanks Mick

 

I suupose my only concern is that a pair of 15x70 binculars will cost about £70 plus another £80 for a tripod is £150 for which I could probably buy an entry level telescope?

 

Apart from being able to use the binoculars for other applications is there any reason to go down this route? i.e is the field of view better?

 

I know that most people who have a telescope also have binoculars so perhaps it's better to start off with some and progress later? Perhaps it might be better to start with some 10x50's which are smaller than the 15x70s and could be hand held without need for expensive tripod.

 

It's very confusing, just want to buy some decent starter kit that will last me and not mean I have to buy more too soon.

 

I've ordered a book called 'star gazing with binoculars' which apparently is very good for beginners and has 48 pages of the colour pictures of northern hemisphere through the different months so should be a good place to start along with the planisphere.

[John_R]

If you get the 10x50 you will find them easy to use hand held, and those can be used for terrestrial use as well including your shooting.

 

£150 telescopes tend to be a disappointment, certainly at new prices but perhaps you could find something second hand for that. I think that might be roughly what my wife and I spent on a little 75mm reflector about 10 years ago, and it was fun to use but frustrating. I got bitten by the bug and within 6 months had bought the 8" Meade LX90! Over time I got quite good with it, buying accessories etc. along the way. Sadly, I have not used that kit for a while now, and wonder if I should flog the lot.

[Catweazle]

Optics Warehouse has some good deals on lower end binos. Hawke 8x56 for £49 ( what I bought ) and Hawke 9x63 for £69.

 

The 8x56 are actually pretty good, they have a BAK4 prism and rubber armour. Obviously don't expect Zeiss, but I'm quite impressed. They claim that they were originally £169, not sure I'd pay that for them, but very happy at £49.

 

http://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=HawkLR856CL

[fenix]

If your only using the tripod for binoculars you dont need to spend a lot on it. But a tripod has multiple uses, both in astronomy and photography, and you can do some interesting astro photography using a standard dslr camera and a tripod. The resason startring with binos is adised is the field of view, makes it easier to learn the sky, theres no point having a telescope if you cant point it in the right direction.

 

My advice to you, is rather than buying any optics, find a local club. My local club has a 22.5" reflector, in an onservatory, several goto setup Meades, a solar telescope, and they charge £15 a year membership.

[Dunkield]

Try not to be seen by neighbours for obvious reasons, but you can get a really good view of the moon through a high mag rifle scope.

[Fisherman Mike]

Thanks Mick

 

I suupose my only concern is that a pair of 15x70 binculars will cost about £70 plus another £80 for a tripod is £150 for which I could probably buy an entry level telescope?

 

Apart from being able to use the binoculars for other applications is there any reason to go down this route? i.e is the field of view better?

 

I know that most people who have a telescope also have binoculars so perhaps it's better to start off with some and progress later? Perhaps it might be better to start with some 10x50's which are smaller than the 15x70s and could be hand held without need for expensive tripod.

 

It's very confusing, just want to buy some decent starter kit that will last me and not mean I have to buy more too soon.

 

I've ordered a book called 'star gazing with binoculars' which apparently is very good for beginners and has 48 pages of the colour pictures of northern hemisphere through the different months so should be a good place to start along with the planisphere.

 

15 x Bins will be next to useless for terrestrial work unless tripod mounted The shake caused even by your respiration will make the image extrememly unstable. If you magnify that ( excuse the pun ) over extreme distance it will be like looking through two slices of cucumber.

 

Binoculars are OK for stargazing if you just want to look at an image of the moon or pickout the brighter stars but to see the real stuff you need a scope. As you say a decent set of bins and a tripod is going to rack up what £150 plus..? Im sure if you shop around you could get a second hand half decent Astral scope for that sort of money.

 

Take my word you wont be dissapointed and you wont be lumbered with a pair of High magnification bins which will be difficult to get rid of.

 

This is what I use bought second hand for 100 quid

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sky-watcher-evostar-90-eq-2-refractor-telescope/p10584

Its Brilliant

Edited March 4, 2011 by Fisherman Mike