Positive rate From Australia, joined Sep 2001, 2143 posts, RR: 1 Posted (10 years 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 833 times:
I own a Celestron 4.5" reflecting telescope which i use to do some general observing. My main interest is planetary observing- Jupiter and Saturn being my favourite objects to view. The Orion Nebula is also excellent through a telescope, and 47 Tucana(globular star cluster) is too. One object which i have never viewed is the Andromeda Galaxy- i'm located too far south too see it. I understand it's visible to the naked eye? Is it very bright? I'm looking to upgrade to either a 6" or preferably an 8" scope in the near future. So does anyone else own a telescope and observe?
Nonrevman From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 1289 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (10 years 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 823 times:
I have viewed Andromeda from a telescope similar to yours. To me, it appeared as a feint patch of light with somewhat of an oval shape although I could not really detect the dust lanes that give the galaxy the "swirl" shape. It was viewed from upstate New York during the summertime, so maybe you will have a chance to see it.
AvObserver From United States of America, joined Apr 2002, 2430 posts, RR: 10 Reply 5, posted (10 years 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 787 times:
Username: DeltaASA16
"I pick up the binoculars and stare at the moon every now and then.... Does that Count?"
Of course it does! I used to be really into it, starting with a little 60mm Japanese refractor and progressing to a 4 1/4" rich-field, then 4 1/2" Equatorial reflectors. I looked at everything from the Moon to the nearby planets, including Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn and also galaxies, like M31 and nebulas, like the Orion. I'd taken astronomy courses in college when I was younger. I'd been away from it for a long time, largely due to increasing air and light pollution where I live (northeastern NJ). Last year, wanting to get back into it, I bought a 7.9" rich-field Newtonian reflector, fairly compact and inexpensive for its' aperture; still, at $700., it's the most I've yet paid for a 'scope. Unfortunately, due to the still crappy sky around here and other things to do, I've yet to use it. I may have to see if I can take it up to High Point State Park, the highest place in the state, on Saturday nights to give me a chance to see something-it's small enough to transport, disassembled, in my tiny Ford Focus ZX3 hatchback. I'm hoping to start using it very soon.
Positive rate From Australia, joined Sep 2001, 2143 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (10 years 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 780 times:
Well i paid $500 for my 4.5" 3 years ago. I think i will go for the 8" as a nice upgrade. AvObserver does your scope have a motor drive? That would be a big help especially if you want to do some astrophotography. BTW the planet Mars will be at Opposition this coming August so that will give you something to look at- it will outshine even Jupiter!
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