Do you feel that your telescope is just too small?
Here's a friendly place for you to hang out if you get the feeling that
your small telescope just isn't big enough to do anything with. To show what
you can do with a modest instrument, there are pages of observations and
photographys of the moon and planets taken through instruments as small as 2
inch (50mm) aperture, and no bigger than 6 inch (150mm).
Though I've been an amateur astronomer for some 45 years (and a professional
astronomer for some of that time), I primarily use small and modest sized
telescopes. I've been through aperture fever, having owned up to a 10 inch
behemoth Newtonian on an Equatorial mount, but now I generally use 6 inch
Newtonians.
I also often use a Meade ETX-90 because of its charm and convenience, and
still own and use a small 2 inch Jaegers refractor and a vintage 60mm
Japanese make refractor.
And yes, I even use binoculars for stargazing, comet viewing, and special
celestial events. My favorite pair is my 15x70 Barska Binoculars which is mounted on a
handy mirror mount.
Still haven't purchased that first telescope?
In case you're considering a telescope purchase, I've tried to layout the
basic characteristics of four major types of telescopes used by amateur
astronomers, as well as some information on binoculars.
The telescope types discussed are the refractor, the Newtonian equatorial,
the Dobsonian, and the Cassegrain (2 types). There are other types of
telescopes available for the amateur, but in general they are either quite
expensive or for specialized use.
If you haven't purchased a telescope yet, check out the tutorials such as
the Telescope
Overview, or the specific tutorials on Refractors, Newtonians, Dobsonians, Cassegrains, and Telescope Mounts .
Hopefully, these will help you get a feel for what type of instrument you
need for what you enjoy viewing, and reveal approximately what it might cost to
satisfy your interests. Most of the information presented is obtained from my
personal experience.
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Some Telescope Shopping Suggestions
For starters (and for optics you'll use for years) consider a quality pair
of binoculars. I often use a pair of 15x70 binoculars, and can see most Messier
objects with them, though you may want to start with a 7x50 pair. Binoculars
that magnify over 10 times cannot really be hand held, but must be on some
kind of stable mount.
With binoculars I can see all the Messier open clusters, several nebula, and
a number of galaxies. In addition, my best comet views have been obtained with
binoculars, and I've had very enjoyable views of special celestial events, such
as the crescent moon passing near the Pleiades or lunar eclipses.
Only the planetary nebula and small globular clusters are poor targets for
my binoculars. The objects are not too dim, just too small to be distinguished
from stars.
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Use this handy astro-customized search engine to automatically search a
number of excellent telescope outlets:
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If you want to build your own telescope, check out the Dobsonian plans at
Dobsonian Plans.
I often use even a small, 50mm telescope refractor. At f/15, my 50mm Jaegers
provides surprisingly good images of the moon, planets, and countless star
objects. Its main limitation is it's limited ability to resolve the dimmer
galaxies, though some practiced observers can even detect many of those with a
small instrument.
Where can you get more information?
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There are many places to get more information on the subject of
telescopes and observing. Web searches, for sure. It won't be easy, in that on
the web you'll see many different opinions. Each of us inevitably cloud our
advice with our own preferences.
A good site for the beginner astronomer is Astro Nuts Home Page. There
you'll find information tidbits on telescopes, observing, and available
observing targets for different times of the year.
Over the years I've accumulated a nice collection of astronomy and telescope
books in search of information, and I really enjoy reading them. I'll be
surprised if you don't eventually accumulate your own collection.
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If you want to keep up to date, a web source of up to date astronomical news
that will keep you up to date can be found at:
Universe Today - Space news from around the Internet, updated every weekday.
What's It All About?
What many people like about astronomy as a hobby is that each night
can be an adventure. There's always the old friends up there, constellations
and stars that return each season. But there's always change as well. The
planets get closer, then further away. Jupiter has it's moons move across
its surface for entertaining (and scientifically valuable) displays, not to
mention storms so vast that even amateur sized telescopes can see them.
Saturn flaunts its rings in varying configurations over the years, and each
Mars opposition has surprises. You'll definitely regret missing an encounter
with a comet, since many will never return within your lifetime.
Looking for some Astronomical Humor?
Science T-shirts
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If you're like me, science and astronomy is in your blood. I started reading
every astronomy book I could get my hands on clear back in grade school. I
spent summers building astro-cams and telescopes, and I'm sure I drove my
parents nuts. Sound familiar?
To satisfy my own science and astronomy itch, I'm working on some science
theme images suitable for display on t-shirts (and other products). I've always
enjoyed science images or humor on t-shirts. I decided to make a few of my own,
and I invite you to check them out at Humor For The Wise.
You can check out the growing Sci Fi section too if you
wish. |
What else is coming?
Soon I intend to add details on the wide range of objects that can be
seen with even the humble 60mm telescope.
There's a growing section of How To's for those who like telescope
or astrophotography construction projects. These are relatively simple
projects. I don't own an elaborate metal lathe, and likely most of you
don't either.
As I run across things I find interesting, I'll try to keep my favorite
sites listing growing. So enjoy your stay, mark the site, and check back
once in awhile.
Writing Pursuits
Another interest of mine is science fiction and fantasy novels. Over the
years I've been spellbound by many great writers, my favorites being Arthur C.
Clarke and Andre Norton. I've studied fiction writing under a couple of
experienced novelists, and have been recently trying my own hand at writing
science fiction.
As my works become available, I'll tell you about them. If you're
interested in reading them, you can get them at L D Smith's Books. You can get the
works in either paperback or PDF format (PDF is a bargain, a full length novel
for less than the price of a hamburger).
I wouldn't expect you to spend your hard earned money on a novel by an
author you might not be familiar with. So I offer you a chance to review the
entire first half of each of my novels for free.
To get the first half of The Evolution Of Oracle Dodd for free, just
click here.
To get the first half of The Children Of Tau Ceti for free, just click here.
If you enjoy reading the first half of the novels for free, I invite you
to purchase either of both of the novels at L D Smith's Novels..
You can also get my collection of science limericks and poems in the book
Science in Poem and Limerick.
Within the book you'll find poetic comments on subjects from the Big Bang
to quantum physics, and from evolution to life on other planets. If
you're a fan of science poetry, I urge you to check out the book. It's also
available as a PDF download for a lesser price.
If you wish to contact me about the website, send email to: .
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