Astronomical Refractor Telescope
astronomical telescope advice plz!?
I got a star 70060 starter astronomical telescope from telescopeplanet.co.uk for christmas and i need some advice on how to get the best results from it, it’s a
60mm Refractor Telescope with
3 Eyepieces (SR4mm, H12.5mm, H20mm, 1.5X erecting eyepiece & 3x barlow Lens)
which is the best lens combination to view the planets in the night sky? all i’ve managed so far is a view of the crescent moon and the REALLY bright star that’s visible beside it just after dusk, anything else is blurry and impossible to get in focus any kind of help would be ace as i really want to get some use out of this wonderful present!
any advice on things to look out for too would be great! 
many thanks in advance
Your scope will ideally support a maximum magnification of around 120x; that would depend on the quality of the optic and the prevailing conditions.
We should begin by losing your barlow lens and your erecting eyepiece. They are useless and the quality on these (provided with cheap starter scopes) is usually so low that they would be useless on any scope, of any size.
Then you should adjust your finder scope so that it is aligned with your main scope. Just aim the main scope at some conspicuous target (like a sign or tower in the distance, and adjust the finder until it points at exactly the same spot. You have a very poor excuse for a finder; but, if you align it correctly you should be able to get some help from it. The finder serves as a wide angle targeting device; the idea is to get it close enough so that you can see the object in the main tube.
Once you get that done, insert your diagonal into the focuser, and then your 20mm eyepiece. This should yield around 35x which is plenty to make out the brighter planets. Also, be aware that objects which are higher up in the sky will look much clearer then those near the horizon; you have to cut through more atmosphere when looking at the lower angle.
Today, both Jupiter and Mercury were very low on the Western Horizon at dusk; the season for Jupiter has passed and we will not be seeing much of it again until again until late spring. Mercury is Always an elusive target; it is never more then 15 degrees or so from the Sun. So, unless you have installed a full aperture solar filter, you are limited to catching periodic glimpses of Mercury at dusk or dawn.
Venus was that very bright star like object that you saw near the Moon, it will be back again tommorow, so you will have another chance to look at it. At 35x you should be able to make out what looks like a tiny version of our Moon during first quarter. If you look closely, both mercury and Venus go through phases.
Saturn comes up from the due east at around midnight. The ring alignment right now is at a right angle to us so they are edge-on to us. At 35x you should be able to see a small sphere with a line through it; if not, switch to the 12.5mm eyepiece and try it again at 56x. If the conditions are right you will see Satirn’s giant moon Titan as a small point of light out beyond the end of the rings.
As you wait for Saturn to climb to a good position, you can turn your scope toward Orion. The Nebula is bright enough to be seen as a dim grey cloud with a 60mm; you should also be able to make out Trapesium, the four bright stars that sit as a tight little square right in the middle of the nebula.
Clear Skies!
|
|
Portable refractor telescope Photo Mugs This is a refracting telescope with a portable stand. It has a mahogany tube with brass fittings as well as a brass draw tube and fittings. There is a small brass refracting telescope (finderscope) at the eyepiece-end of the barrel. The telescope belonged to Rev. George Fisher (1794-1873) who went to the Arctic as an Astronomer with Captain David Buchan in HMS Dorothea in 1818 and with Captain Wil… |
|
|
Celestron 21024 FirstScope Telescope $30.86 In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope to the growing astronomy community, which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come. Four centuries later, in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, Celestron offers the portable FirstScope Telescope. The FirstScope pays tribute to Galileo Galilei and many of … |
|
|
Celestron 21061 AstroMaster 70 AZ Refractor Telescope $96.23 Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ 45 – 90X Refractor Telescope. Affordable, powerful, lightweight… the perfect choice for amateur astronomers and backyard stargazers! Proving once again that you don’t need NASA’s budget to see the stars. If you’re aiming to get started in astronomy, the AstroMaster 70AZ’s blend of quality optics, entry-level usability and affordable price is tough to beat. It’s lightwe… |
|
|
CELESTRON Powerseeker 50 Refractor Telescope $34.99 The Celestron® PowerSeeker 50 telescope is a great way to open up the wonders of the universe to the aspiring astronomer. It’s portable yet powerful with ample optical performance to excite any newcomer to the world of amateur astronomy…. |
|
|
Elenco Mobile 20/30/40x Telescope $23.99 Great for the young astronomer on the go. Very portable, easy to move and use. 20x/30x/40x 30mm Astronomical Telescope with Tripod, Includes: 20x/30x/40x Eyepiece, Diagonal Mirror, (16″) ABS Body, 30mm Objective Lens and 25cm (10″) Tripod.Product dimensions: 3.0 IN x 18.0 IN x 7.0 INFeatures include: •Great for the young astronomer on the go•View the night sky•Watch birds and other … |
|
|
Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Telescope $199.95 Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector TelescopeLaunch a lifetime of stargazing with this compact, ready-to-use telescopeTop-notch optics show you the moon, the planets, the stars and moreScope comes fully assembled so you can go from box to backyard in minutesHigh-quality optics, point-and-view ease of use, remarkable portability, all for less than $200Your ticket to space-tourism without the zero-G… |
|
|
Citiwell National Geographic Kids 375X Power Telescope with Tripod $64.99 The Citiwell NG50500 National Geographic 50MM-500MM Telescope is a full Size Refractor Telescope, rests on a Full Height, Adjustable Aluminum Tripod. The Citiwell NG50500 National Geographic 50MM-500MM Telescope includes 3 Eyepieces and a 3X Barlow Lens Delivering magnification up to 375X. 90 Degree Diagonal Eyepiece provides Right Side Up Viewing and 6×25 Finder Scope Makes Aiming at Far away Ob… |
|
|
Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope (Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series) $32.51 Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope has been written for the many amateur astronomers who already own, or are intending to purchase, a refracting telescope â perhaps to complement their existing arsenal of larger reflecting telescopes â or for the specialist who requires a particular refractor for serious astronomical applications or nature studies. Four hundred year ago, during t… |
|
|
Mechanical improvement of the 26-inch refractor (Publications of the United States Naval Observatory) … |
|
|
Description of the south refractor (Astronomical observations and researches made at Dunsink, the observatory of Trinity College, Dublin) … |
|
|
Emerson 50x100mm Refractor Telescope with Tripod $37.04 The Emerson 50x100mm Refractor Telescope with Tripod is a great companion for star tracking and astronomical viewing. This sleek telescope includes interchangeable 50x and 100x eyepiece lenses and an adjustable 4-foot tripod. |
|
|
Coleman AstroWatch 50 Refractor Telescope $56.04 This AstroWatch 50 Refractor telescope from Coleman is ideal for all-around astronomical and terrestrial observing. This 50mm telescope comes with Starry Night software and a floor standing tripod. |
|
|
Coleman AstroWatch 70 Refractor Telescope $66.04 This AstroWatch Refractor telescope from Coleman is ideal for all-around astronomical and terrestrial observing. This 70x telescope comes with Starry Night software a storage bag and a portable tripod. |
|
|
Barska 40070 Starwatcher 300-power Compact Refractor Telescope $0 Barska Starwatcher telescope is ideal for the aspiring amateur astronomerOptic equipment is easy to set up and includes everything necessary to start star-watchingTelescope set includes finders scope, eyepieces, mount and tripod |
|
|
Rokinon Diamond Black 910×60 Refractor Telescope $80.99 Now in its new diamond black color, the Rokinon 91060 telescope is a highly compact telescopeIdeal for the beginner or intermediate level amateur astronomerTelescope boasts a 910 mm focal length and coated optics |
|
|
Real Astronomy With Small Telescopes $22.53 This book is about using an 80mm refractor / 90mm Maksutov (such as a Helios 80 or Meade ETX90) as more than a “quick look” instrument, but rather something capable of use as an introduction to scientific observations. Emphasis is on measurement and di… |
|
|
Mtel-50 Aim Table-top Refractor Telescope $39.94 Refractor-type telescope 20x – 80x power range Focal length: 350mm Rugged & easy to operate?perfect for the beginning observer Includes adjustable tabletop tripod for steady viewing |
|
|
Jc-1000 Skyseeker Refractor Telescope $58.94 Precision 60mm optics 40x – 100x power range 5 x 24mm finder scope for easy zero-in on subject Includes deluxe aluminum tripod |
|
|
78 8831 Northstar 3 Talking Reflector Telescope $240.94 700 X 3″ Motorized Reflector Telescope Real Voice Output ™ (rvo) Describes The Night Sky In A Human Voice 1.25″ Eyepiece Power-boosting Barlow Lens Computer-driven Location & Tracking Ability Red Dot Finderscope Remote Handheld Control Module Camera Adaptable Quick Release Tripod Kinematic Mount |
|
|
78 8846 Northstar 4.5 Talking Reflector Telescope $278.94 900 X 4.5″ Motorized Reflector Telescope Real Voice Output ™ (rvo) Describes The Night Sky In A Human Voice 1.25″ Eyepiece Power-boosting Barlow Lens Computer-driven Location & Tracking Ability Red Dot Finderscope Remote Handheld Control Module Camera Adaptable Quick Release Tripod Kinematic Mount |
