Telescopes, Astronomy

Jasconius

I am interested in buying a beginners telescope. I live in an area fairly conducive to star gazing (low/no light plenty of large open public fields).

I know very little of them, it's just been something that has always been on my list of things to do.

Price limit is around 250.

I have come across this one in my searching twice:

http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes/reflecting-telescopes/celestronastromaster114eqreflector.cfm

And it gets good reviews.

I'd like to be able to at least get a good look at the planets with it, anything else is a welcome bonus (again this is just to start out).

Is there any other equipment I may need? I think a star map needs to be included somewhere in that list. I have a laptop too to assist with such matters if I can find the correct resource.

Drakmathus

I bought an 8" dobbie from orion to replace my old newtonian. What you picked out seems pretty good for the price even compared against what orion sells. Other equipment you might want would be a flashlight (preferable red), maybe a laser pointer, a sweater and a chair.

That planetarium software should include everything you'd need to see the planets and their moons, hopefully it will have a low light setting as it is a REAL pain to look at a bright laptop screen then try to look at a (comparatively) dim object.

Jasconius

Drakmathus wrote: »

I bought an 8" dobbie from orion to replace my old newtonian. What you picked out seems pretty good for the price even compared against what orion sells. Other equipment you might want would be a flashlight (preferable red), maybe a laser pointer, a sweater and a chair.

That planetarium software should include everything you'd need to see the planets and their moons, hopefully it will have a low light setting as it is a REAL pain to look at a bright laptop screen then try to look at a (comparatively) dim object.

Actually I just talked to me step dad and he recommended be a Dobsonian as well, with an 8" aperture to be specific.

Those exist in the mid 300's range and they seem to be considerably nicer than the ones I was thinking of.

I'm willing to go a little over if the leap in viewing ability is that much better.

Is there are particular brands that I should hover towards, or are they all about the same?

MKR

Drakmathus wrote: »

I bought an 8" dobbie from orion to replace my old newtonian. What you picked out seems pretty good for the price even compared against what orion sells. Other equipment you might want would be a flashlight (preferable red), maybe a laser pointer, a sweater and a chair.

That planetarium software should include everything you'd need to see the planets and their moons, hopefully it will have a low light setting as it is a REAL pain to look at a bright laptop screen then try to look at a (comparatively) dim object.

Tinker with your windows color settings and make everything red and black.