Viewing Advice Required...

My GF has taken a sudden interest in gazing at the stars, she had been
using the
internet to read up about it and I bought her a little book for Xmas
detailing the night sky and what you can expect to see.

She is now however wanting to purchase something to get a better look
at the stars but is not sure what to buy.

The book recommends that if you cannot afford a decent telescope
(which I think as she is only just starting out would not be too wise)
then to go for a pair of binoculars rather than a cheap telescope as
they will give better results.

Is there any advice on what to be looking out for, which make to buy,
what spec? Or might it be better going for a telescope and the lower
end of the scale?

Any and all advice appreciated as usual!

I'm off to work now so will check back either after midnight or
tomorrow AM!

--
RiTSo

"RiTSo" wrote in message
. uk...
My GF has taken a sudden interest in gazing at the stars, she had been
using the
internet to read up about it and I bought her a little book for Xmas
detailing the night sky and what you can expect to see.

She is now however wanting to purchase something to get a better look
at the stars but is not sure what to buy.

The book recommends that if you cannot afford a decent telescope
(which I think as she is only just starting out would not be too wise)
then to go for a pair of binoculars rather than a cheap telescope as
they will give better results.

Is there any advice on what to be looking out for, which make to buy,
what spec? Or might it be better going for a telescope and the lower
end of the scale?

Any and all advice appreciated as usual!

I'm off to work now so will check back either after midnight or
tomorrow AM!

--
RiTSo


Here is some advice from Jodrell Bank observatory.
http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/public/viewbinos.html

Rob

"RiTSo" wrote in message
. uk...
My GF has taken a sudden interest in gazing at the stars, she had been
using the
internet to read up about it and I bought her a little book for Xmas
detailing the night sky and what you can expect to see.

She is now however wanting to purchase something to get a better look
at the stars but is not sure what to buy.

The book recommends that if you cannot afford a decent telescope
(which I think as she is only just starting out would not be too wise)
then to go for a pair of binoculars rather than a cheap telescope as
they will give better results.

Is there any advice on what to be looking out for, which make to buy,
what spec? Or might it be better going for a telescope and the lower
end of the scale?

Any and all advice appreciated as usual!

I'm off to work now so will check back either after midnight or
tomorrow AM!

A good solution would be a pair of binoculars from Strathspey, and a copy of
this month's "The Sky at Night" magazine - it has instructions on how to
build a good solid table top bino mount (for about a tenner) that will let
her get a good steady view.

http://www.strathspey.co.uk/

Robbie Mayhem wrote:

: Here is some advice from Jodrell Bank observatory.
: http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/public/viewbinos.html

Cheers for the link Rob, it made a lot of sense and cleared things up.

Think I will look for a pair of 10x50 for her and let her loose with
them!

--
RiTSo

adm wrote:

: A good solution would be a pair of binoculars from Strathspey, and a
: copy of this month's "The Sky at Night" magazine - it has
: instructions on how to build a good solid table top bino mount (for
: about a tenner) that will let her get a good steady view.
:
: http://www.strathspey.co.uk/

Thanks adm,

The link to the site was good for prices, off into town tomorrow so
might look for TSAN in WHS!

--
RiTSo

RiTSo wrote in message
. uk...
Robbie Mayhem wrote:

: Here is some advice from Jodrell Bank observatory.
: http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/public/viewbinos.html

Cheers for the link Rob, it made a lot of sense and cleared things up.

Think I will look for a pair of 10x50 for her and let her loose with
them!

If you are not in too much of a hurry, wait until Lidl have the 15GBP
Meade 10x50s in again, just the job.

--
Holly, in France
Holiday Home in Dordogne, now with pool!
http://la-plaine.chez-alice.fr/index.htm

It is generally accepted that the measure of the effectiveness of a
pair of binoculars for astronomy is given by following the 'formula'
printed on all binoculars....

e.g. 8x40=320
10x50=500
25x100=2500

As mentioned, you may need to mount them on a sturdy tripod if they are
bigger than around 50mm, suitable adapters are readily available. I
quite like my 15x70mm bins, and they are pretty cheapp now, and work
well for daytime use too.

Cheers and goodluck

PeterW

wrote in message
oups.com...
It is generally accepted that the measure of the effectiveness of a
pair of binoculars for astronomy is given by following the 'formula'
printed on all binoculars....

e.g. 8x40=320
10x50=500
25x100=2500

Never heard that one before. Are you thinking of 40/8 = 5mm exit pupil ,
100/25= 4mm exit pupil etc ?
jc

That is true too. How large an exit pupil is up to you, depends on your
eyes.

Cheers

PEterW