It ultimately depends on what you want to use the telescope for and HOW you can use it.
Things to consider are:
1) Price (you’ve done that)
2) Portability (Will you have to move this telescope long distances? Will you have someone to help you lift/move it? Etc.)
3) What do you want to look at with the telescope? (Some telescopes are better for nearby lunar and planetary viewing. Others are better for seeing deep space objects like galaxies and nebulae)
4) Accessories (If you want to get a good selection of eyepieces you will probably need to spend an additional ~75 quid to get 2-3 new eyepieces. Most telescopes come with only on eyepiece. You’ll also need star charts, maybe some binoculars, telescope cleaning materials, etc.)
A REFLECTOR telescope will give you better optical quality and resolution. These are better for lunar and planetary viewing. The typically have smaller lens apertures (2″-5″) and can only collect a medium amount of light. Hence you cannot see very faint deep space stuff well.
A REFRACTOR will give you the most bang-for-your-quid as far as mirror aperture. Remember: size of mirror = number of objects you can see. You can probably get a cheap-o 6″+ reflector for ~100 quid. Reflectors give “good” views of planets and the moon, but you’ll also get better view of fainter galaxies and nebulae. They typically are therefore a bit heavier and larger. Portability is more of an issue.
Use these bits to refine your searches. Meade and Celestron are the best quality brands. Try looking at the Orion brand, too. They’re a little cheaper. Something like this 3″ reflector from Celestron would not be a bad first telescope:
Good luck!
ANAGah.
The Lazy Astronomer Said,
Then don’t buy one just for the sake of it and keep saving. There is nothing worse than a poor telescope to kill the desire and drive of an amateur astronomer.
starryskyn Said,
Slaggers is right, except he has reflector and refractor names and descriptions reversed. Reflector has a mirror, and refractor has a lens.
Geoff G Said,
There really are _no_ good telescopes of any type available for under £100…you need to spend twice that to get anything that isn’t a children’s toy. If you can’t afford anything over £100 right now, I’d recommend joining your local astronomical society and viewing through other people’s telescopes. Also, member often have used telescopes for sale at attractive prices. Another alternative is to buy a good 10×50 binocular, which will be much better than a cheap telescope.
Here are a few web pages with good information on beginner’s telescopes:
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:
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:
david dude Said,
reflectors are better.
but they are quite expensive though.
for under 100 pounds…
well u need to get to some really discount places.
but there are a few over internet or in some stores which sell good telesecopes fro cheap prices.
but dnt buy over internet cos they will cheat u.
i heard theres one in windsor…
but a reflector.
trust me
a cassegrain reflector is best
Comments
It ultimately depends on what you want to use the telescope for and HOW you can use it.
Things to consider are:
1) Price (you’ve done that)
2) Portability (Will you have to move this telescope long distances? Will you have someone to help you lift/move it? Etc.)
3) What do you want to look at with the telescope? (Some telescopes are better for nearby lunar and planetary viewing. Others are better for seeing deep space objects like galaxies and nebulae)
4) Accessories (If you want to get a good selection of eyepieces you will probably need to spend an additional ~75 quid to get 2-3 new eyepieces. Most telescopes come with only on eyepiece. You’ll also need star charts, maybe some binoculars, telescope cleaning materials, etc.)
A REFLECTOR telescope will give you better optical quality and resolution. These are better for lunar and planetary viewing. The typically have smaller lens apertures (2″-5″) and can only collect a medium amount of light. Hence you cannot see very faint deep space stuff well.
A REFRACTOR will give you the most bang-for-your-quid as far as mirror aperture. Remember: size of mirror = number of objects you can see. You can probably get a cheap-o 6″+ reflector for ~100 quid. Reflectors give “good” views of planets and the moon, but you’ll also get better view of fainter galaxies and nebulae. They typically are therefore a bit heavier and larger. Portability is more of an issue.
Use these bits to refine your searches. Meade and Celestron are the best quality brands. Try looking at the Orion brand, too. They’re a little cheaper. Something like this 3″ reflector from Celestron would not be a bad first telescope:
Good luck!
ANAGah.
Then don’t buy one just for the sake of it and keep saving. There is nothing worse than a poor telescope to kill the desire and drive of an amateur astronomer.
Slaggers is right, except he has reflector and refractor names and descriptions reversed. Reflector has a mirror, and refractor has a lens.
There really are _no_ good telescopes of any type available for under £100…you need to spend twice that to get anything that isn’t a children’s toy. If you can’t afford anything over £100 right now, I’d recommend joining your local astronomical society and viewing through other people’s telescopes. Also, member often have used telescopes for sale at attractive prices. Another alternative is to buy a good 10×50 binocular, which will be much better than a cheap telescope.
Here are a few web pages with good information on beginner’s telescopes:
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:
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:
reflectors are better.
but they are quite expensive though.
for under 100 pounds…
well u need to get to some really discount places.
but there are a few over internet or in some stores which sell good telesecopes fro cheap prices.
but dnt buy over internet cos they will cheat u.
i heard theres one in windsor…
but a reflector.
trust me
a cassegrain reflector is best