Astrologers don`t use telescopes and you are not ready to by one until you have grown in the Hobby to a point that you are secure in the difference.

I suggest that you join a club or at least find some star parties to attend so that you might explore the different equipment.

In general I would suggest getting as much aperture for your buck as possible. Considerations though, are quality and transportability. If you have a good place to keep the scope set up permanently, that is best. Especially if you also live there.

Watch your local paper and internets places of sale for a good used scope. The best performance for your dollar will probably be in the form of a Newtonian. I would not reccomend anything smaller than a 6" and 8" is almost twice as good for just a little more weight. With an 8" Newtonian, you will see about eight times as many objects that you would completely miss in the scope you were thinking of. Discovery Telescopes sells New- An 8" f:5 Newtonian on an aluminum tripod with clock drive for $599. This may not be the best scope for Planets but there will always be a few people around with a scope like that on the rare occasions that it makes the difference. Get a Norton`s Star Atlas and start learning the sky.

Have Fun,
-Rick

• RE: RE: Need advice on first telescope - Brett Wood - October 14, 2000 - 17:06 UTC
  • RE: RE: RE: Need advice on first telescope - Mike OConnor - October 21, 2000 - 08:49 UTC
    • RE: RE: RE: RE: Need advice on first telescope - Mike O'Connor - October 21, 2000 - 09:00 UTC
    • RE: RE: RE: RE: Need advice on first telescope - Brett Wood - October 23, 2000 - 00:11 UTC
      • RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Need advice on first telescope - Mike O'Connor - October 24, 2000 - 00:39 UTC
        • RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Need advice on first telescope - Brett Wood - October 27, 2000 - 23:15 UTC