Low cost astronomy

[oldtrucker]

In 1981-82 my parents promised me a new telescope if my all of my school marks were over 90 percent. For xmas they ended up spending $450 on a Tasco 4.5in reflector.
A couple of days ago, I bought a 4.5 inch X 900mm reflector telescope off of Cnet classifieds. Exact specs as the one for when I was a kid, basically new in box barely used for 40 bucks. For 40 bucks I was able to look at canyons on the moon, look at the great red spot on Jupiter, the stripes in its atmosphere as well as its moons. It brought Venus up so well that it looked like our moon to the unaided eye.
I doubt this telescope will last 1/20th as long as the Tasco, as it's mass produced in China. Its components are very cheaply made. It might last until the end of summer. Who cares? it's 40 bucks! And besides, what's wrong with a old guy having a nerdy hobby?

[Catsumi]

Well, OT, must say that I LIKE your hobby. Be careful about directing gaze too low. Causes a ruckus in the neighbourhood.

[Jlabute]

Can’t think of any problems with that :-) Must have come with some eyepieces too huh? There’s not much to a reflector so should last you a long time, at least longer than your eyeballs ;-) Look at Orion’s sword next. Or andromeda.

[JagXKR]

Great hobby. Neat stuff right now is Jupiter and it's moons. Last night the moon was very close so makes viewing the big guy a bit more difficult. Your scope will be easily powerful enough to see the big 4 and if you time it right, possibly the Red Spot and maybe a shadow of one of the moons on Jupiter itself.

You can use this simple site to plan ahead.

http://www.shallowsky.com/jupiter/

Saturn is always an awesome sight in a telescope. Coming up to it's brightest in June.

Later, in the fall would be a great time to spot Uranus and Neptune.

But the big event is Mars. Will not be this close again until 2035. This summer it will be at it's brightest.

This is from Space.com

https://www.space.com/39240-when-to-see ... e-sky.html

[oldtrucker]

Well, OT, must say that I LIKE your hobby. Be careful about directing gaze too low. Causes a ruckus in the neighbourhood.

I'm spying on you with it.

[OKkayak]

Thats awesome! Star/planet gazing is always fascinating. Just the idea of being able to see another planet from ours is simply amazing. Enjoy the clear night skies and enjoy your telescope!

[TylerM4]

Can I bring my boys over? Might even let them look through the scope if they can pull Dad away from it.

Great hobby. Always got me frustrated - needed someone who could show me the basics to get me started.

[OKkayak]

Can I bring my boys over? Might even let them look through the scope if they can pull Dad away from it.

I hear you on that

[oldtrucker]

I had a look at M51- Whirlpool galaxy...23 million light years away. Andromeda M31(2.2 million light years)...what 'section' of the Andromeda galaxy should I observe? Been watching the changing positions of Jupiters moons every night. It doesn't matter where I point it in the sky, even though with the naked eye there may be nothing there--my eyepiece is full of countless stars. Every few minutes I see micro meteors and satellites that would be otherwise invisible.
Who needs expensive electronic gizmos for entertainment when you have one of these.
Edit Sometime maybe there will be a 'nerd night' at oldtruckers place.

[Catsumi]

Oh yeah, all you nerdys pointing your telescopes at my windows, drooling, slobbering.

Tonight?

New pink negligee needs eye approval.

[OKkayak]

Who needs expensive electronic gizmos for entertainment when you have one of these.

Amen to that!

[oldtrucker]

Oh yeah, all you nerdys pointing your telescopes at my windows, drooling, slobbering.

Tonight?

New pink negligee needs eye approval.

I've read that this thing could pick out two flashlights a meter apart at 50km.
Okay, stand perfectly still....Yeah, just like that.
Damn girl,...looks good!

[oldtrucker]

Saturn just rose one hour ago. In another 90 minutes it will be in my lens if it stays clear.
The moon Io seems to whip around Jupiter in less than two days and Europa, three and a half-ish days if I'm looking at this correctly.

[Jlabute]

I had a look at M51- Whirlpool galaxy...23 million light years away. Andromeda M31(2.2 million light years)...what 'section' of the Andromeda galaxy should I observe? Been watching the changing positions of Jupiters moons every night. It doesn't matter where I point it in the sky, even though with the naked eye there may be nothing there--my eyepiece is full of countless stars. Every few minutes I see micro meteors and satellites that would be otherwise invisible.
Who needs expensive electronic gizmos for entertainment when you have one of these.
Edit Sometime maybe there will be a 'nerd night' at oldtruckers place.

Queeniekins will wear her "I Love Nerds" t-shirt ;-)

[Jlabute]

I regret selling my 8" Vixen catadioptric... but it was a grunt to carry everything around. I may be in the market for a more portable telescope.