"Michael A. Covington" wrote
in message ...

"Al" wrote in message
et...

I'm afraid to tell you that what Celestron says about the 76 EQ in their
advertising is hype and could be misleading. While there is much that
you
can see with this small telescope, it's still a small scope.


I disagree. A 76-mm telescope is big enough for instructive (though not
spectacular) planetary views. Part of the problem is that Mars isn't as
close to the earth as it was a short time ago.

The original poster's opening statement was, "I'm a complete newbie." As
most newbies, this person was likely taken in by the pictures he saw on the
telescope box and expects the telescope to produce the same kind of
images...and this is a reasonable assumption. I've seen this happen many
times and I'm sure you have too.


Many 19th-century observers used telescopes in this size range.

Yes, quite true. But not one 19th century observer ever have to contend
with 21st century air pollution and light pollution. Just a shot in the
dark, Michael, but I'll bet that your main scope is larger than
76mm...right?

Al



But it's vital to realize that the views through a telescope do not look
like photographs taken with a much larger telescope.

--
Clear skies,

Michael Covington -- www.covingtoninnovations.com
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
and (new) How to Use a Computerized Telescope