Suggested Telescope? Just starting out. OVAL?

Hi,
Could anyone tell recommend what sort of telescope I should be
thinking about as a beginner. I want something that I can learn to use,
not just board with in a few weeks. The ones I've been looking are the
OVAL table top telescopes, Sky hawk 76 to 90 range. I read a beginners
book on the universe which tends to suggest that with some not only can
you see the details of the surface of the moon, but surface details of
Mars can also been seen. That something I'd like to be able to achieve.

Thanks and Regards

Mark

Before you buy a telescope, you should check to see if your community has
an astronomy club or group. The members of the club or group may have a
variety of telescopes that you can check out. You can also get input from
folks who may have experience with this telescope. Remember that a quality
pair of binoculars will give you good use (the moon and Mars can be viewed
quite well), and you will not have the frustration of not being able to
find objects (binoculars have a wide field of view).

Remember that field of view and magnification are inverses of each other.
Also keep in mind that there are public viewing facilities at
planetariums, colleges, and universities that will give you detail that a
small telescope cannot.

If you still want to get a telescope, you may want to check out plans for
building your own. Dobson Telescopes (put this into Google and do a
search) By building your own telescope you will invest a significant
amount of time and effort, thus the possibility of getting bored is
diminished. Also, for $400 or so you will have a telescope that will beat
a comparable store bought telescope in quality of viewing.

Mike Boersma

Mark wrote:

Hi,
Could anyone tell recommend what sort of telescope I should be
thinking about as a beginner. I want something that I can learn to use,
not just board with in a few weeks. The ones I've been looking are the
OVAL table top telescopes, Sky hawk 76 to 90 range. I read a beginners
book on the universe which tends to suggest that with some not only can
you see the details of the surface of the moon, but surface details of
Mars can also been seen. That something I'd like to be able to achieve.

Thanks and Regards

Mark

Before doing anything, Please read the Telescope Buyers FAQ and then
use it as a guild.

http://home.inreach.com/starlord


"Mark" wrote in message
...
Hi,
Could anyone tell recommend what sort of telescope I should
be
thinking about as a beginner. I want something that I can learn to
use,
not just board with in a few weeks. The ones I've been looking are
the
OVAL table top telescopes, Sky hawk 76 to 90 range. I read a
beginners
book on the universe which tends to suggest that with some not only
can
you see the details of the surface of the moon, but surface details
of
Mars can also been seen. That something I'd like to be able to
achieve.

Thanks and Regards

Mark

Hi Mark,

I take it you are in the UK? I'd start by watching at
http://www.ukastroads.co.uk/ to get a feel for prices. As to a 76-90mm scope
showing much detail on Mars, I think you may end up disappointed. What I'd
really suggest is finding your local astro club at
http://skyandtelescope.com/resources/organizations/ and going to a couple of
public nights. You'll get to look through a lot of different scopes and see
for yourself. Also, there are usually a couple of people who have very good
first scopes but want to sell them as they are ready to upgrade.

As to seeing more of the moon, try the group listed below.

Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try the Lunar Observing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/
Lunar Picture of the Day http://www.lpod.org/
************************************

"Mark" wrote in message
...
Hi,
Could anyone tell recommend what sort of telescope I should be
thinking about as a beginner. I want something that I can learn to use,
not just board with in a few weeks. The ones I've been looking are the
OVAL table top telescopes, Sky hawk 76 to 90 range. I read a beginners
book on the universe which tends to suggest that with some not only can
you see the details of the surface of the moon, but surface details of
Mars can also been seen. That something I'd like to be able to achieve.

Thanks and Regards

Mark