Any Stargazers in the house ?

[BRGRSP]

Looking for some advice peeps.

My Daughter has an upcoming significant birthday and has always expressed an interest in Stargazing.

Therefore my wife and I have decided to look at maybe buying her a telescope for said birthday.

We have a budget of up to £350 max but know less that zero about such things.
It has been mentioned during conversations that she's been looking at scopes that can connect to her iPhone to take any desired photo's.

Armed with such limited info from me my question to anyone able to give some pointers is what would your recommendations be.

TIA.

Brian.....aka.....BRGRSP.

[Riley]

Hi
I'm not up to date with the tech but had a Celestron go-to scope years ago which was easy to use and gave good views of the interesting stuff.
For expert advice try asking here: https://stargazerslounge.com/

[mr noble]

https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/t...top-telescopes


I’d be getting her one of the ones with “GoTo” app control. It’s easy to lose interest on the fully manual ones as it can be frustrating trying to find things if you don’t know where to look. The motorised mounts make it much more fun and more simple to use.

I think the one I’ve linked to at the bottom looks best. A bit over budget though.



https://www.tringastro.co.uk/celestr...pe-21060-p.asp

https://www.tringastro.co.uk/skymax-...pe-18593-p.asp

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk...ope.html?gQT=2

[DONGinsler]

I had a cheap scope, but Celestron as mentioned makes good scopes

This one is $650US and can connect with your phone

Can also download the Celestron's SkyPortal app. Had this on my ipad. Shows what constellations are in your location. Galaxies etc.

Celestron StarSense Explorer

[BRGRSP]

Thanks to everyone that has replied, wow talk about going down a rabbit hole, feeling a bit like Patrick Moore atm!

[Riley]

I'd avoid Dobsonian scopes for now, they need to be collimated regularly which is a PIA.

[sundial]

Please consider acquiring one of the latest SMART TELESCOPES eg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA8O_5btsSg. ..... SEESTAR S30 is available in February price c. £370

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLAhPbDrVXw

[Riley]

Please consider acquiring one of the latest SMART TELESCOPES eg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA8O_5btsSg. ..... SEESTAR S30 is available in February price c. £370

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLAhPbDrVXw

That looks like a great bit of kit. I could retire the McMurdo!

[Distorted Vision]

I've been an amateur astronomer for 30 years. My best advice for a novice at that budget is not to waste your money on a budget telecope. Instead start with a pair of astronomical binoculars and a good quality tripod.

I recommend the Celestron SkyMaster 20x80mm:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-7.../dp/B0007UQNTU
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006304817494.html

I captured this image of Jupiter last night with a Meade LX200:

[Distorted Vision]

If you really want to purchase a telescope. Remember the key feature is aperture not magnification. Greater aperture = greater light gathering ability.
Magnification is less relevant.

[PickleB]

If you really want to purchase a telescope. Remember the key feature is aperture not magnification. Greater aperture = greater light gathering ability.
Magnification is less relevant.

That is what I couldn't understand about the SEESTAR S30 and it's 30 mm aperture. I recognise that it is an entirely digital instrument that relies on image stacking to produce images that are quite impressive. But surely for a beginner observation must come first. Once they've found their way around the night sky the urge to record the objects they see may become important and the SEESTAR S30 can do that.

I see that binoculars have been recommended as a first instrument and I can see the advantage of their simplicity of use and easier alignment for a beginner. One thing I would ask is if there is a similar set with angled eyepieces? It's much easier to stand next to a telescope or binoculars and be able to look down into them rather than having to raise them up above your head or sit in a chair and look up...I would find it a pain in the neck. But maybe I'm missing something.

The last and most obvious thing to so is to join a local astronomical society. There are quite a few around Surrey and they will offer the opportunity to see and use a range of observing tools. They will also be able to provide advice and may even be able to direct you to reputable second hand equipment.

[Distorted Vision]

Join Guilford AstroSoc:

https://www.guildfordas.org/newsitestaging/

[classics]

Free star gazing app https://theskylive.com/planetarium

[Distorted Vision]

Stellarium is excellent also.

[Tokyo Tokei]

The Dwarf 3 might be worth a look. 2 month waiting list (in my country) but might be worth it.

https://dwarflab.com/



The trouble, if that's the right word, with traditional 'scopes is that they tend to fall below our modern-media influenced expectations. We've all seen amazing pictures of galaxies and Saturn's rings. But these are usually created from stacked pictures of many frames, needing hours of patient, electronically-guided exposures or video to achieve.

This needs equipment, patience, and some knowledge of stacking software. The "smart" scopes do a lot of this for you. If the desired end result is a picture to show family and friends, I think these are worth considering.

[Orange Peel]

The scope will collect the light, but it's the eye pieces that dictate the actual magnification.
The better the aperture for collecting light, the more magnification the scope can handle, so more choices of eye piece.

[sundial]

I've been an amateur astronomer for 30 years. My best advice for a novice at that budget is not to waste your money on a budget telecope. Instead start with a pair of astronomical binoculars and a good quality tripod.

I recommend the Celestron SkyMaster 20x80mm:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-7.../dp/B0007UQNTU
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006304817494.html

I captured this image of Jupiter last night with a Meade LX200:

A 20x80 binocular is not a good choice for a beginner – also needs very sturdy tripod and a means of observing at the zenith.

High mag binos need very adequate support to avoid image shake e.g.;





^^^ My Docter Aspectem 40x mag. ED binos in use at a BBC Sky at Night event. Photo taken using 'red filtered flash' with camera in B&W jpeg .... thus avoiding compromising observer's night vision.

Medium power binoculars can be fine for astro observing beginners – especially if the 'new to astro observing' enthusiast considers reading :

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/p...MaAkooEALw_wcB

However, cheap binoculars are false economy. Best to consider buying from a reputable dealer who can also advise ref 'handheld' astro observing binoculars.

https://www.cleyspy.co.uk/product-ca...MjQwMi4wLjAuMA..

It's tempting to buy eg a £50 bino but they likely cost less than £10 to manufacture and are usually 'very average' or 'poor' performers. Binoculars are essentially TWO telescopes hinged togethe. Few observers would buy a £25 telescope – but a £50 binocular is just two mass produced cheap telescopes hinged together!

Consider buying good quality secondhand binoculars from e.g. https://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhan...on=&Results=48 .... stock changes daily and bargains soon sold.

Regarding magnification and 'hand-holding' : Consider 6x, 7x and 8x magnification . Avoid 10x mag and greater because they're difficult to hand-hold due to 'image shake' and thus require some form of support.

It's a minefield of options and the wrong instrument choice could end up being discarded if not suitable for a novice observer.

[tixntox]

I bought a Bushman reflector. Old but reliable! The problem is, keeping warm in the winter and getting a clear sky! On the odd occasion that we have been able to view, we have enjoyed it.

[guinea]

I'd get the seestar mentioned earlier.

Visual astronomy outside of the planets and moon is pretty boring unless you really like it. Visual astronomy is also pretty hard.

A seestar gets views of nebulae and galaxies that are shareable with friends. It's interactive, fun and most importantly really easy.

[sundial]

I bought a Bushman reflector. Old but reliable! The problem is, keeping warm in the winter and getting a clear sky! On the odd occasion that we have been able to view, we have enjoyed it.

Bushnell or Bushman?

[sundial]

I'd avoid Dobsonian scopes for now, they need to be collimated regularly which is a PIA.

'A lot of old squit' being posted in this thread.

Dobsonian 'scopes are essentially Newtonian reflectors.

ALL Newtonian 'scopes require recollimation when necessary. It's a procedure which most astro observers learn to do themselves

Dobsonian 'scopes are excellent value because thay do not require a separate mount.

[sundial]

I'd get the seestar mentioned earlier.

Visual astronomy outside of the planets and moon is pretty boring unless you really like it. Visual astronomy is also pretty hard.

A seestar gets views of nebulae and galaxies that are shareable with friends. It's interactive, fun and most importantly really easy.

"Seestar" are state of the art smart telescopes and would have some residual £value if considering upgrading

https://www.modernastronomy.com .... Purley Surrey dealer stocks Seestar

[MartynJC (UK)]

On my astronomy degree course a rule of thumb was - don’t buy a refractor telescope with less than 3” (76mm) diameter glass or a reflector with less than 6” (152mm) diameter mirror. Else imagine, the large magnifications are like stretching a small image over a bigger and bigger balloon surface - the image gets bigger but the resolution is no better.

I started with a low power rich field telescope for deep sky viewing and also binoculars (only 8x30mm - get Zeiss or similar for your money - cheap are a waste of money).

You could buy a book of star charts.

I recommend not using an app phone controller - it will ruin any night vision looking at a phone screen.
It takes at least 5mins to adapt eyes to be sensitive and maybe 15mins if using an electronic device or watching TV.

It can be fascinating, as well as learning Greek mythology (or others are available!).

Spherical geometry can be a bit of a mind bender!

[Ventura]

This may be of interest to some here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/space/...-b2681301.html

[eldrich]

Stellarium is excellent for seeing what is viewable at any one time.
I used to help out in the Uni observatory and the recommendation there was to start with decent binoculars rather than a scope.

Saying that around 15 years ago I thought I was returning back to the UK so on the trip for the interview madly purchased a 115mm reflector for about 100 pounds, with tripod, motor and 3-4 eyepieces. Its been a lot of fun and gives decent views of most things but I remember looking at Saturn through a 600mm refractor years ago and seeing the rings just hanging there and to this day i don't think I have seen anything as wonderous as that again, anyway the 115mm disappointed greatly compared to that when I used it to look at Saturn.

[MartynJC (UK)]

This site is worth checking out for information: https://www.astropix.com/html/scopes...beginners.html

[sundial]

OP and his daughter might be interested in attending European Astrofest Exhibition in Kensington Friday 7 and Sat 8 February 2025 .....

https://europeanastrofest.com/exhibition/

Kensington Conference and Events Centre, The Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX

Easy journey i.e. 100 yards from Kensington High Street tube station.

Three floors of exhibitors and usually lots of special offers available and advice for beginners

BW, dunk

[MartynJC (UK)]

OP and his daughter might be interested in attending European Astrofest Exhibition in Kensington Friday 7 and Sat 8 February 2025 .....

https://europeanastrofest.com/exhibition/

Kensington Conference and Events Centre, The Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX

Easy journey i.e. 100 yards from Kensington High Street tube station.

Three floors of exhibitors and usually lots of special offers available and advice for beginners

BW, dunk

That looks so much fun! Wish I was closer.

[MartynJC (UK)]

OP - can you stretch to this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-11068-NexStar-Computerised-Telescope

[sundial]

That looks so much fun! Wish I was closer.

I used to attend every year and would 'scrounge' freebies from exhibitors for use as astro quiz prizes for children / families attending my astro society's public star parties.
Exhibitors' donations included DIY self assembly telescopes – cardboard tubes with glass lenses – they worked fine for e.g., lunar observing and Pleiades (Seven Sisters)
Also used to buy meteorites including genuine moon and Martian rock samples from MSG Meteorites – all with genuine provenance documentation.

I bought one very special astro refractor 'scope at Astrofest but have never used it. It's too special to use; totally handmade work of art designed / made by Richard Day of SKYLIGHT TELESCOPES;
Richard has ceased making his 'scopes – they were designed / made in Raynes Park, Surrey

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/6...-are-they-now/

Astrofest is an exhibition well worth attending.

BW, dunk

[sundial]

A potential London stargazing venue:

https://www.bakerstreetastro.org/about-us/

Well worth attending

[BRGRSP]

OP - can you stretch to this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-11068-NexStar-Computerised-Telescope

Maybe if I sold my remaining 74 year old kidney!

[MartynJC (UK)]

Maybe if I sold my remaining 74 year old kidney!

The smaller sized one is £549 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-1...000GUFOBO?th=1

Can I suggest your daughter joins the local astronomy club and she could meet like minded kids and also have access to larger scopes and try some out?

http://www.astronomyclubs.co.uk/Clubs/Counties.aspx

[sundial]

Choose any 'scope and then search for same on UK Astro Buy and Sell – where it's quite likely you'll discover the same model, secondhand, for half the price:

https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/prop...hp?view=220903

But you'll need to register on UK Astro Buy and Sell to contact the seller.

[MartynJC (UK)]

Bouncing this - with a link to useful YouTube videos

https://youtu.be/zPPemEpj6Hw

what’s in the sky at start of Feb. 2025. Many planets in view. 7 on the 26th February - unusual