What can I expect to see with this telescope?

"rick" wrote in
:

Hi,

Before we begin, I know that this telescope is a very basic one, I
know that there is better models for a few dollars more, etc. But I
will buy it using AirMiles points, so in a sense it cost me nothing
and this is the only model of telecope available with AirMiles. So
don't bother to recommand me bying another brand, this is THIS
telescope or nothing. And the "nothing" means that my wife will grab
all the AirMiles points to buy something else for her... haha! ;-)

Telescope specs are at the end of the message.


So, what can I expect to see with this telescope?

Saturn rings?

Yes. Saturn is currently an early morning object and doesn't get high in
the sky before the sun rises. You will have to wait a few months to get
good views.

Jupiter?

Is visible with the naked eye. So I would be highly surprised if you
couldn't see it with your telescope. Note Jupiter is setting early
following the sun, so again you will have to wait for several months
before it is well placed for good viewing. Your scope will be able to see
the four Gallilean moons and maybe some detail on Jupiter depending on
the quality of the optics.


Neptune?

Visible with 10 X 50 binoculars but will take a bit of finding. You will
need computer generated star charts to help find it. Download Cartes Du
Ciel http://www.stargazing.net/astropc. This is a good time to be
tracking it down as it is well placed at present.


Other galaxies or nebulas???

Messier & Mechain saw the Messier catalogue objects with scopes not much
if any better than yours. You will probably need to go to a dark site
well away from a city though. There wasn't much light pollution in
Messier's day.


Asteroids???

Certainly some of the brighter ones when well placed.

Some other suggestions:

1. The moon.

2. Mars is rapidly closing in on opposition. This is THE planetary target
at present.


I have absolutely no idea what can be seen with this telescope, and at
which size and quality. For example, how Jupiter will appear in that
telescope? Smaller then a dime nearly without colors, or bigger?

Small but you may be able to make out some detail.



Or course the Moon will be viewable, but what more can I see that I
don't already see with my eyes? What kind of details will I see?

Lots. The moon has lots of fascinating detail.


Of course the best way to give me a good idea is to direct me on a
website with images taken with a telescope of this power. An image
worth 1000 words! ;-)

So, even if the telescope is "free", I want to be able to have fun
with it and not only looking at the moon.

Thanks for your comments everyone.
Jack

TELESCOPE SPECS:

Bushnell Deep Space Series
MODEL # 78-9512
SPECIFICATIONS: 420x60mm Refractor
FOCAL LENGTH (mm): 700
EYEPIECES: 5mm, 20mm
MAGNIFICATIONS: 35, 105, 140, 420

This seems a bit odd. The 20mm eyepiece will give you 35 X, and the 5mm
eyepiece will give you 140 X. Not sure how you are getting the other
mags? Is there a 3X Barlow lens that you haven't mentioned. If so forget
about using it with the 5mm eyepiece (that is where the 420 X could be
coming from). A mag of 420 X is way beyond what you can expect to get
with a 60mm objective. All that will happen is that you will get a fuzzy
and dimmer view. Just as a matter of interest, what diameter is the
focuser?.

Llanzlan.