So You Want to Buy a Telescope?

Hi everyone! My name is Helena from @HelenasAstrophotography
and over the next month I am working with Kielder Observatory to produce a series of videos on beginner level astronomy to get you excited about the night sky.

Purchasing a telescope can be a really exciting but daunting task! In this video we take you through specifications to look out for when choosing the right scope for your needs as well as recommendations based on our own experiences.

Music:
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

[jeffreyhinzjr.]

OK I would like to clarify one thing. Dobsonian is the type of mount used to support the reflector telescope while viewing. You can mount refractors, reflectors, maksutov, and cassegrain style telescopes. Clarity fact form and function are always key words to keep in mind when using and understanding telescopes. And as always thank you for your bright insights and may you all have clear nights.

[astroinfinland]

You also have to wait a couple of months for the clouds to go away after you get the scope.

[murphle]

I recently got an 8” dobsonian and it’s amazing

[kevanhubbard]

Funnily enough I have just got back from south west Scotland from where you hail from and my first visit to the Galloway Forest Dark Skies Park.I think that it's the first time I'd seen Uranus naked eye.I used my 2x40 Helios wide field binoculars to locate in the then turned to my eyes and it was just visible.The negative was the local insect population, little black things probably less than a millimetre but they pack a potent bite.So many of them I was actually breathing them in!

[jaya]

Simple and well explained. Keep it up!...as well as your telescope to the night sky.

[stuartbolden]

Hi Helena … firstly, I’ve followed your channel and really like your videos, but, you described a telescope as an instrument that “magnifies” … it has to be said that a telescope is an instrument that captures light … the magnification comes from the Eyepiece . The dobsonian error I believe was noted by another viewer but it is a good point . Dobsonian related to the base or mount . Named after John Dobson . Sorry I hope you don’t think I’m being pedantic here but the first point raised is really important
Keep up the good work

[tonyrojas]

You’re the absolute best! Love your vids!! Thanks for all the info and advice and can’t wait to see more amazing videos 🫶

[abusalamsree]

Very good video with easy explanations. Thanks!

[decibellone]

One lesson I learned - astrophotography is expencive. If that your goal, remember unless your rich you going to take a long time to get there. Start with an F10 or close scope So you will enjoy the things a beginner is likley to view with their eyes, and with their friends. You will learn what you like to look at and build skills to look at those objects.

[davidsandy]

A discussion as to how to set up a telescope with a clock drive would be really useful. Even something as close as the moon, drifts out of view if you don't compensate for the Earth's rotation.

[davidsandy]

Many years ago, I remember seeing Saturn using a telescope at the University of Virginia. I was hooked. Where I live today, the seeing is awful. I live on the coastline near big cities. Lots of haze and light pollution. When I retire, I am planning on moving to the mountains and will want to set up a good system for astra-photography.

[robertsonsid]

The Celestron X-Cell eyepieces are nice but isn't required to see Jupiter's 2 belts and 4 moons. The Celestron Omni Plossls will work fine for those on a lower budget.

[JD-]

I’ve just purchased a skymax 102s, im a complete novice! Hopefully it’s simple and easy to use! I love the content Helena and have subscribed to your personal channel! Keep up the great work! I wish you clear skies!

[CanadaAstro]

I own a telescope named Haggis. It’s a 6”reflector.

[angeltensey]

If you really wanna go cheap because unsure of if you even want to get into this hobby, its perfectly fine to go for some big brand's 70mm, 700mm focal length refractor (like Sky-Watcher 707). Why? This format of a tube itself is everything a complete novice need: actually capable for it's price, less demanding lens-based scheme, no collimation, quick thermal stabilization, easy to operate, goes with any mount, cheap enough to not regret if you didnt liked the astronomy.
Note: avoid fork-type alt-az mounts (AZ1 and AZ2). They are floppy, has bad machining and generally garbage and just hobby killers. I'd recommend to go for EQ2 mount and it's variations and higher from the get go. Equatorial mount will give you a touch of true astronomy experience. In other words:
1) 70/700 refractor is a solid starter for a novice
2) The mount is what makes most of the job. Good mount is a key to pleasant astronomy

[Georgedabou]

Do you suggest Telescope AC 60/700 AZ-1 for begginers?

[AntonyWood]

Bruh I went here and saw the Milky Way it was so lucky and soo beautiful the image will stay in my head

[geoffreywray]

I have a 76 × 700 telescope 🔭 will I be able to see planets in the night sky, thanks

[iSuzane]

So is starmax 127 better than starmax 102? And should one go with AZ Pronto manual or AZ-GTE/AZ-GTI WiFi mount?

[montassarbenarfia]

300 mm focal and 70 mm diameter of primary mirror is good or not? I found this where I live and i think about buying it