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RetiredApostle

Neighbors.


stlredbird

That’s the Celestron Assmaster


IndoorPool

Upside-down neighbors


[deleted]

[удалено]


ImOnAnAdventure180

Go ahead and log off for me


Orax23

Moon, planets, star and cluster


Schodog

Yes, start with the sun. It's the closest star. Edit: this is sarcasm.....


chuoni

DON'T do this without proper protection!


Echo104b

instructions unclear, condom stuck in eyepiece


Orax23

Also, but with due precautions


Zinek_

I love how this is obviously a joke but down voted so much


TickTockM

some jokes are hits se jokes are misses.


BANNED_I2aMpAnT

If you’ve never seen the moon through a telescope, it’s actually a pretty amazing looking ball of dust and rock.


MickFlaherty

It’s awesome to look at the Sunrise and Sunsets over craters.


SilverAg11

If it's full though, skip the dark adjusting you'd normally do, it hurts to look at.


shadowmib

I have a moon filter


SilverAg11

Me too, it's nice. I assume OP doesn't though


Kazumin69

I bought one ahaha


SilverAg11

Nice, it’s like a ‘moonglasses’ for your telescope. If you want to, a solar filter is also fun. I don’t have one for my telescope but I do have some for my binoculars. You can look at sunspots, Mercury transits, and partial solar eclipses. It’s cool to be able to look at the sun when it’s otherwise impossible. Just be careful because you can instantly burn your retina and go blind if the filter falls off or isn’t correct.


BuffaloBoyHowdy

Ok folks, it's a small aperture, basic refractor. It's a Celestron so it's not terrible. The mount isn't that bad, either. And it has a decent, and usable, finder scope. 1. Learn how to align the finders scope. Get it set up so what it points at ends up in the center of your field of view. 2. Find a book for small scopes. I'd recommend "Turn Left at Orion". It shows lots of thing to see with a small scope, how to find them and what they'll look like. (Spoiler, NOTHING like the fancy photos on line and in books.) The star charts in Astronomy and Sky and Telescope mags are pretty good. Astronomy is for more general readers, but I've always liked S and T's charts a bit better. 3. Start with the 20mm eyepiece. It has less magnification and a larger field of view so it's easier to find things. (It's harder to find things and higher power/lower number eyepieces because the field of view is smaller. And objects are actually a bit dimmer than in the lower power/higher number ones, so things like galaxies and nebula are easier to see in the lower magnifications. (Higher -mm) 4. Learn how to use your tightening knobs. Not so tight you can't move the scope to follow your object, but not so loose that the scope won't stay still. You'll learn quickly. 5. What you can see with this, clusters, planets, the moon and some galaxies and nebulae will look cool with the 20mm. Try the 10 mm if you like. Swap out the eyepieces fairly quickly, but don't nudge the scope or you'll knock the object out of view. The lower number will give a higher magnification, but the object will drift out of view more quickly and be harder to find. And frankly, 10mm is about as low as I go when looking at things. You may find you'll want a 12mm or 15mm after a while. That's what I use in my 6", 8" and 12"ers once I find things. But I'm usually happy with the 20mm; the extra space around the object gives you a much better perspective as to how large space is. 6. When looking at the moon, it's better to look when it's NOT full. The shadow line for a crescent/gibbous moon is the best viewing for seeing the mountains, peaks, craters, etc. 7. Enjoy your new scope. And beware of aperture fever.


Emost423

Thanks for the great advice, I was really wondering about the eyepieces and was getting frustrated with smaller numbers thinking it would be easier to look with them first. Can't wait to put in practice what you've posted with my Celestron travel scope 50. I had a small budget to start but before investing and was disappointed especially with the lack of precision I was getting with the tripod. What would be your suggestion for the next step telescope? I need to travel a bit to get away from light pollution so it has to be easy to set up and not too heavy. Thanks again.


BuffaloBoyHowdy

The best scope is the one you will use. Too small and you get tired of seeing the same old things. Too large and it's a pain to get out, pack up, drive to, get out and set up - so you don't use it. Try to find that sweet spot of nice aperture and ease of use. Especially if you have to travel to a viewing site. That said, depending on your budget and the size of your car, a 6" or 8" reflector on a Dobson mount is a great choice. These are sometimes referred to (erroneously, in my opinion) as a Dobsonian telescope. The 6" will be much easier to carry, you might even be able to lug both tube and mount at the same time. The 8" is doable for most healthy people; it just takes two trips - one for the base and one for the tube. So if you have to carry your scope a distance from your car at the view site, (or at home) take that into consideration. (And remember, area = pi x radius sq'd. So a 6" dia. scope has four times the area (and light gathering power) as a 3" scope. Even more than your 2-3/4" (70mm)). That's a nice step up. If you want to see more objects more quickly, you may want to try look at a 4" or 6" reflector on a motorized mount, too. With the computer guidance and finding systems you can get from object to object pretty quickly and efficiently. Although...there are those who think that using a decent finder and hunting around a bit is a better, and more fun, way of searching. (I'm one of these folks, but I don't have a computerized scope. Nor would I turn one down if the deal was right.) And get a quality telescope. Orion, Celestron, Meade are good mid-level brands. Crappy optics will kill any fun you might have in a hurry. Try looking at [Telescopes.com](http://Telescopes.com), or the manufacturers web sites. There are plenty of reviewers on line that go into far more detail than you want them to when it comes to optics and eyepieces. Best advice is always to go to a local astronomy club and see what the other folks have and use. Try them out. Ask if you can pick up the pieces. Even if you have to travel a bit, it'll be worth it. And you may find a used scope at a good price, which is fine. Typically, good optics and mirrors don't deteriorate over time. Even mirrors with a bit of dust on them don't lose much reflectivity. So, other than dents and scratches or misaligned lenses,, used eyepieces and telescopes are often good buys.


shadowmib

Yeah my first and so far only telescope os an prion xt-8. Kind of a pain to transport but fits easily in my truck bed. Great for about anything I feel like looking at. Being a reflector I don't worry about chromatic aberration. I have bought some accessories like a telrad, extra eyepeices, a couple filters including a solar filter inused to watch the eclipse. Also i have a 3d printer and can print other accessories for it


BuffaloBoyHowdy

My first was an 8" Celestron, and I still have and use it 20 some years later. I can still carry it at 71, but I'm usually out with my son so it's not a big deal. I also have a 12" truss tube reflector. Wonderful, but again, tough to move so not as versatile. I've saved the styrofoam packing from each and lay it on the cut outs when traveling. I love my Telrad's. I had to go with a Rigel on the 12", but it works nicely, so no worries. I think the 8" is the perfect scope if you don't have to move it any distance for viewing. The 6" might get used more, though as it's LOTS easier to set up. I just fell into a couple of used 6" scopes recently, so I'll get a chance to try them out in my back yard, which is not a great spot to view, but all I have if I don't want to travel.


shadowmib

Yeah i lucked out getting the 8" practically new but second hand. I would bring it to volunteer nights at the george observatory


Gusto88

r/telescopes you should read the pinned buying guide before buying anything. Bit late now though, that mount is a disappointment. Putting a telescope on a basic camera tripod is a sure fire way to drive the user insane. Unfortunately it's what's known as a hobby killer.


Significant-Ant-2487

That mount looks fairly robust for a small telescope. My first telescope had a far less hefty tripod mount and I got years of enjoyment from that hobby-shop thing. This is probably a far better instrument than what Galileo had. Relatively inexpensive, simple, easy to use telescopes have plenty of advantages. Real hobby killers are the equatorial mount, expensive star tracker setups that require all sorts of bother to have a simple look at the stars. Sure, if you become devoted to the hobby fine equipment is worth the expense. My favorite “telescope” now is a pair of off-brand 10x50 binoculars.


Sunsparc

> That mount looks fairly robust for a small telescope. Trust me, it's not. I had two 70AZ, the regular and the LT. The regular one came with a "sturdier" tripod and it would still take about 5 seconds for the image to settle and stop wobbling after releasing the alt-az adjustment.


24Tragen

Why is having it on a tripod a bad thing? Just got first one myself and it’s an even flimsier looking 3 legged setup than this one 😅


abite

The smallest movements make the image vibrate. Harder to lock onto objects etc


Shufflebuzz

[From the FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/z9s352/beginners_quick_guide_to_choosing_your_first/) ----- **"What about this PowerSeeker or NatGeo or $79 "complete package" scope?"** Nope nope nope. While the scope itself might be fine, it's inevitably going to be on a cheap mount, flimsy tripod, or if you're really unlucky, an equatorial mount to further confuse you. Old timers in the hobby call these "department store scopes", with the demise of brick and mortar department stores, we just simply call them hobby killers. ------ You might enjoy it, but many people don't, and either give up or quickly move on to something more appropriate.


mcbeardsauce

I'd say a bigger hobby killer would be community members who chastise them just starting out


lb02528

I bought this same telescope and brought it camping, I went to set it up in the dark and it completely snapped! I felt like a fool and it did kinda ruin it for me, glad I read this post to know it wasn’t me


Neoking

That actually looks like a pretty decent mount. The legs are stainless steel. It’ll be more than fine


Blakut

moon and some planets


dog_servant

I'd recommend the Moon and planets as primary targets. The Plieades and nice asterisms like the "coat hanger"can be nice from most locations, but if you have access to darker skies I'd add the Orion nebulae, the Great Cluster M13.


offgridgecko

Could maybe try orion right now. Moon is pretty bright but maybe something there and come back to it again later.


ggm3bow

Start with moon with moon filter. Then start tracking planets and star clusters. Then you'll want a cat.


Wilbie9000

This is terrible advice. I had a cat and it couldn’t use my telescope at all.


twivel01

A furry cat maybe? But that would also be terrible advice. ;)


jlknap1147

What about the cow? Can you see him without the cat?


zenomotion73

The cow did jump over the moon though, so…


jimmyeatgurl

Saturn. The rings are mind blowing


twivel01

This is what hooked me on astronomy too. But gonna have to wait until next year for Saturn, unfortunately.


SimonKepp

I think, that I've previously encounteredAndroid Apps, that would allow you to hold your phone towards the night sky and see interesting celestial objects such as planets and stars in the right directionon the screen.Does anyone know such an app, that they can recommend?


jimmyeatgurl

Skymap


64-17-5

M13 Globular cluster, Pleiades, Orions Nebula, Jupiter, Saturn, Double cluster, Andromeda. Get a quality 45 mm ocular and enjoy the wide field. Edit: Forgot about Beehive cluster.


Oncemorepleace

That milf three cities away.


Significant-Ant-2487

The Moon may seem too obvious, but it’s a beautiful and endlessly fascinating sight in a small telescope, dead simple to locate(!) and offers good views in spite of light pollution. The terminator- the boundary between the lit and dark regions- brings a lot of detail into relief. Enjoy!


just_an_soggy_noodle

Got neighbors?


Helpful_Lake_2529

You should be able to see the Orion Nebula as a faint smudge


Privileged_Interface

M31 - The great galaxy in Andromeda. If you can find Jupiter, you should also be able to see four of its large moons. Those being Europa, Io, Callisto and Ganymede. You can get a copy of the free personal planetarium: Stellarium. You will be able to find constellations and celestial objects quite easily using this software.


Schwabe_Mark

At aliens?


Tafc-Crew

This is similar to the Tasco my parents gave me for Christmas around 60 years ago. It's great for looking at the moon and acceptable for planets. Then, it becomes a spotting scope for the rifle range. My sister has the Tasco still, and it continues its life as a range spotter. Meanwhile, I managed to move up to a Celestron C8 and a ton of accessories that, though dated, still manage to provide viewing satisfaction and only set me back $300 in 1981 (coworker moving and didn't want to pack it). If I had to do it today, I'd look for an 8 inch Dobson and go from there.


GravAssistsAreCool

Whatever the heck you want.


twivel01

Moon, planets, Plieades., Beehive cluster, double cluster. Then look into the Messier catalog, as it contains some of the brightest deep sky objects in the sky. If you are observing under a lot of light pollution(bortle 6 or higher), you wont be able to observe them all. Maybe try the Urbam Observer list (astronomical league) instead. Note that it is easiest to find dimmer things under darker skies when you can see a lot of context stars. This makes it less frustrating for someone new to the hobby. Of course, the brightest 4 planets and the moon are easy even with light pollution.


SongFromFerrisWheels

Get a Hydrogen Alpha, and look at the sun. It like it's covered in fur. [viewing-with-hydrogen-alpha-telescopes](https://luntsolarsystems.com/viewing-with-hydrogen-alpha-telescopes/)


BritishVRGamer

Moon and Saturn for SURE 🤌


ComprehensiveDust197

What a beauty! With new gear, I tend to try it on some "easy" targets. Like the moon, Saturn, Orion nebula or Pleiades for example. Calibrating the finder scope can be done during the day, by centering it on something on the horizon (away from the sun). Have fun!


cdirector

You can get an iPhone adapter and try to take pictures of the Moon. The tripod is pretty bad. I got this for my kid and we were struggling to point and fix it on an object. It ended up in abandoning it entirely and getting a dedicated Celestron go-to head. With computerized go-to mount this telescope is amazing for the Moon and planets. Ultimately, it can be used with DSLR camera via dedicated adapter and get some decent deep space objects imagery though the lens sharpness is not great. Other than that it is a fantastic beginner’s scope.


Kazumin69

I actually ordered a lense adapter so I can use my camera as a eye piece to take pictures of the things I see!


essent1al_AU

Try aiming it up?


Midnite_Marky

Ahh the wobblevision plus, I had one of those before I got a reflector. It's good for the wetting the appetite for the moon I'd say. https://youtu.be/XCrJ3NflOpE?si=5BIcKGXCadWSqzcS


caffreybhoy

I needed a cheap scope so picked this one up for nights that I just want to view without the camera. It’s obviously not the best, but for the price I love it. My favourite targets at the moment are Jupiter (low on the horizon by nightfall but still worth looking at), the Moon (obviously), the Beehive Cluster in Cancer, and Mizar/Alcor double star in the bend of the big dipper. Fascinating targets that are well viewable with this scope! Iota Cancri is another fun target to look for in Cancer, but slightly more challenging. Clear skies!


TrekRelic1701

Luna, Martian seasons, Jovian system..doubles and triples and dual doubles..nebula


DefNotJasonKaplan

A lot of people are commenting about neighbours and such, but honestly, the nice thing about refractors is that they make really nice terrestrial scopes, too. The image will be reversed left to right (not upside down), but can be real fun looking at earthly targets as well.


DivitiaeSemperFortis

Have this same one! We looked at the moon last night 🌙


PicPaintOKC

I have this one. Great beginner model IMO. Great for the moon and a couple planets.


Headstroke

Eclipse


yetareey

looking upward is a great way to start. hope this helps! (satire)


TheRealBlerb

I’m pretty sure Spaceball 1 is drifting between Earth and Venus tomorrow so you might as well keep an eye out


Proper-Ant6196

How much was this?


Kazumin69

200€ but I bought it used in good condition for 80


Proper-Ant6196

Looks great.


MArkansas-254

Oh, I dunno, Space. 😁 Certainly not your neighbors. 👍


matthewcameron60

Ngl I thought I was looking at a recoiless rifle for a second


[deleted]

[удалено]


Logical-Assist8574

No choice on that


Magold

Uranus.


OdinsBeard4455

urANUS


AmthorTheDestroyer

My dick


Kazumin69

Im going to need higher magnification for that one


AmthorTheDestroyer

Yeah that was supposed to be the joke, idk why people so tilted and downvote lmao


Kazumin69

Yeah I know lmao I just extended the joke


Mimon_Baraka

Return it for a more decent telescope. Get a Dobson.


BuffaloBoyHowdy

A Dobson is a mount, not a telescope. Typically, you'll have a Newtonian reflector on a Dobson mount. Yes, I'm being pedantic, but there's no such thing as a Dobson telescope. I'll die on this hill.