Oops I've just bought a Telescope!

[simon the viking]

Went shopping in Derby in the sales earlier with Little V and Mrs V and our normal practice is to split up and take it in turns to have Little V with us, whilst I was 'going solo' armed with my Christmas work bonus and a bit of Pressie money.. and I was not being inspired by clothes and didn't really need anything cycling related (and the bonus wasn't bike sized) I spotted a telescope in the sales.... after a quick reality check with Mrs V (due to the size of it rather than the cost) I bought it.

I have achieved a lifelong ambition to own a decent (ish) telescope rather than the tiny toy type ones I've had.

Technical spec is 700mm x 76mm Reflector scope, there was a slightly more expensive 900mm Refractor in the frame but opted for the brighter image a reflector gives it comes with 2 different strength eye pieces and a 3X Barlow lens... here it is and please if there are any serious astronomers on cc please dont slag it off too much!

Hope the cloud clears the ISS is coming overhead tomorrow morning.

Edit: it was by the way bought totally on impulse.... This morning the idea wasn't anywhere in my head...

 

[Drago]

The scope is probably ok, but for anything more than the most casual of viewing you'll need an equatorial mount.

Love Drago Farquhar, BSc (planetary studies), MSc (celestial mechanics).

 

[Salty seadog]

I'm just gonna close my curtains.

 

[simon the viking]

The scope is probably ok, but for anything more than the most casual of viewing you'll need an equatorial mount.

Love Drago Farquhar, BSc (planetary studies), MSc (celestial mechanics).

The tripod on the refractor was better with degrees on the mount and a (gimbal?) weight but it took it slightly out of 'On a whim' into 'Serious Consideration' territory.....

 

[classic33]

I'm just gonna close my curtains.

You'll be okay, he's got it set up pointing inwards.

 

[Drago]

I'm sure you'll be fine. An equatorial mount makes it easy to track an object as the earth rotates, is all.

 

[wheresthetorch]

The scope is probably ok, but for anything more than the most casual of viewing you'll need an equatorial mount.

Really not the case; alt-az mounts are perfectly suitable for detailed observing and are quicker and easier to set up. Equatorial mounts come into their own for astrophotography.

 

[wheresthetorch]

if there are any serious astronomers on cc please dont slag it off too much!

if you need any help setting it up etc., you can get loads of support and advice on this site:
https://stargazerslounge.com/

 

[simon the viking]

As op this thread is thread is already going way above my head (like the stars are.... lol) downloading a compass to my phone.... (got a real one somewhere but can't find it) ready for the morning if the cloud clears...

 

[simon the viking]

if you need any help setting it up etc., you can get loads of support and advice on this site:
https://stargazerslounge.com/

thanks will check that out, joined east midland star gazers forum earlier

 

[wheresthetorch]

thanks will check that out, joined east midland star gazers forum earlier

Yes, they're a well-known group with an active forum.

Just a word of warning; if you thought cycling could get expensive . . . !

 

[simon the viking]

Yes, they're a well-known group with an active forum.

Just a word of warning; if you thought cycling could get expensive . . . !

Bought it on a whim with full agreement from Mrs V.... don't think I'll get away with it again! and when I said the word telescope I don't think she realised how big it was going to be

 

[Globalti]

Don't leave it pointing up, it might concentrate the sun's rays and burn your house down..

 

[stephec]

Damn you Simon, I keep casually thinking of getting a basic one for a bit of occasional gazing.

I might have to avoid browsing anymore tonight.

 

[simon the viking]

Damn you Simon, I keep casually thinking of getting a basic one for a bit of occasional gazing.

I might have to avoid browsing anymore tonight.

It came from Jessops very reasonable... just itching to use it now...