the gardener Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Father Christmas brought me a telescope for Christmas. It's a Lidl Bresser 900mm, 70mm refractor. Was out last night and managed to see Jupiter very clearly, plus four of its moons. It's really quite an amazing thing, I can only imagine what Gallileo et al made of it when they peered through their telescopes. Anyone else on here interested in the heavens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Father Christmas brought me a telescope for Christmas. It's a Lidl Bresser 900mm, 70mm refractor. Was out last night and managed to see Jupiter very clearly, plus four of its moons. It's really quite an amazing thing, I can only imagine what Gallileo et al made of it when they peered through their telescopes. Anyone else on here interested in the heavens? Yes, Mr Gardener, but my telescope is bigger than yours! Amazing what you can see on a clear night! Sometimes I think there is a "god"! For the casual observer, I would recommend a good pair of binoculars and a tripod! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearwithasorehead Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Where abouts is Jupiter to be found at the mo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winkie Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uptherebels Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Where abouts is Jupiter to be found at the mo? Sort of medium height (technical term) in the evening in the east. So bright you can't miss it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Where abouts is Jupiter to be found at the mo? Why? What will you do to it? Do you need a "hit man"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearwithasorehead Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Why? What will you do to it? Do you need a "hit man"? Invite it in for a beer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erat_forte Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 ... For the casual observer, I would recommend a good pair of binoculars and a tripod! Depends what you are wanting to observe, unless your neighbours' houses are a long way away that is probably overkill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Invite it in for a beer? No Mr Bear! A telescope is a good thing for hypnotizing women! All you need is six inches! See the stars! There is so much out there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Depends what you are wanting to observe, unless your neighbours' houses are a long way away that is probably overkill. Obviously I like to look at nude ladies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durhamborn Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 http://www.stellarium.org/en_GB/ Id strongly advise anyone starting out in astronomy download the above free program.You then enter in where you are and the program then shows you the night sky as it will look outside your house in real time.Its a great free program. It also shows all the star clusters,visible galaxies and nebulas. Its funny but seeing Jupiter through a scope always gives you a wow moment. Great that you picked up the big moons as well.I haven't had a telescope for years now but I think its about time I got a new one and got back into it. Id also advise finding the darkest place you can around where you live.Might mean a drive now and again,but worth it on a clear night. I used to take my scope with me when I was fishing and the night sky in an area with little light pollution was incredible.The Orion nebula just down to the right of Orions Belt always a favourite,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 http://www.stellarium.org/en_GB/ Stellarium is a fantastic program, for Windows or Linux! I use it for I am idiot who cannot find the sky! Even with a telescope!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rave Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 You can see Jupiter's moons with a pair of Binos- albeit that without a tripod it's jolly hard to get a steady view of them. Four little dots wiggling round a larger wiggling dot though, no problemo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 You can see Jupiter's moons with a pair of Binos- albeit that without a tripod it's jolly hard to get a steady view of them. Four little dots wiggling round a larger wiggling dot though, no problemo! Sounds like VHS porno from the 70s! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the gardener Posted December 29, 2013 Author Share Posted December 29, 2013 Yes. I'm aware my Lidl special is not of the highest quality, though according to some it's ok for starting out. I was able to see the cloud bands on Jupiter (wow! I find that just incredible, just amazing) I can't wait till I get a chance to point my scope at Saturn. The scope is a bit wobbly in the wind and whilst adjust focus etc. Surely it would make more sense to make them out of metal? I suppose that would add to the cost though. I want to try a nebula next, and the moon of course. I did even manage to see jupiter with the 4mm eyepiece for 225x magnification though the focus wasn't great (atmosphere I imagine) but I was pleased to be able to actually see it through the smallest eyepiece. Doesn't it move fast though? The best view was actually at 45x with the 20 mm eyepiece, though the 12mm was ok. Magnification isn't the most important aspect of a telescope as I understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Yes. I'm aware my Lidl special is not of the highest quality, though according to some it's ok for starting out. I was able to see the cloud bands on Jupiter (wow! I find that just incredible, just amazing) I can't wait till I get a chance to point my scope at Saturn. The scope is a bit wobbly in the wind and whilst adjust focus etc. Surely it would make more sense to make them out of metal? I suppose that would add to the cost though. I want to try a nebula next, and the moon of course. I did even manage to see jupiter with the 4mm eyepiece for 225x magnification though the focus wasn't great (atmosphere I imagine) but I was pleased to be able to actually see it through the smallest eyepiece. Doesn't it move fast though? The best view was actually at 45x with the 20 mm eyepiece, though the 12mm was ok. Magnification isn't the most important aspect of a telescope as I understand. Look and wonder! you have taken the first step! BIg magnifications, no, not much more to see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearwithasorehead Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 No Mr Bear! A telescope is a good thing for hypnotizing women! All you need is six inches! See the stars! There is so much out there! I think I can manage five on a good day. And I've got a telescope too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durhamborn Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 Yes. I'm aware my Lidl special is not of the highest quality, though according to some it's ok for starting out. I was able to see the cloud bands on Jupiter (wow! I find that just incredible, just amazing) I can't wait till I get a chance to point my scope at Saturn. The scope is a bit wobbly in the wind and whilst adjust focus etc. Surely it would make more sense to make them out of metal? I suppose that would add to the cost though. I want to try a nebula next, and the moon of course. I did even manage to see jupiter with the 4mm eyepiece for 225x magnification though the focus wasn't great (atmosphere I imagine) but I was pleased to be able to actually see it through the smallest eyepiece. Doesn't it move fast though? The best view was actually at 45x with the 20 mm eyepiece, though the 12mm was ok. Magnification isn't the most important aspect of a telescope as I understand. Light gathering is more important than magnification mostly.It depends really.For the solar system a smaller 4 inch or 5 inch is fine.Its really the more deep sky targets where you need a bigger scope.The Andromeda galaxy you probably wouldn't see with less than an 8 inch,though some nebulas can be seen.Its also worth getting a 2x barlow lens. If the focus is bad a barlow lens will help.Also it depends on the "seeing",,like you said atmosphere. The beauty is once you start is you can spend a lot of time simply looking and learning the planets. Skywatch live on the BBC starts in a week or so I think,,.Loved a quote on there the other year,,someone sent in an amazing photos they had just taken of some huge nebula and the presenter said "and this is whats happening above Swindon right now". Its also a great hobby for anyone as you get older as the whole universe is simply outside your back door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turned Out Nice Again Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 I have a compact 15-45x nature spotting scope which also works nicely on a tripod for astronomy. Good value multi-use kit for the occasional observer. Lidl were doing a 60x one before Xmas for a giveaway 26 quid. I bought one of these for my brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPin Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I have a compact 15-45x nature spotting scope which also works nicely on a tripod for astronomy. Good value multi-use kit for the occasional observer. Lidl were doing a 60x one before Xmas for a giveaway 26 quid. I bought one of these for my brother. Absolutely Mr "Nice Again"! Those spotter scopes can be quite good! I'm not sure Lidl are known for their fine optics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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