I often get emails from those who find the Chicago Astronomer during a search and interested in obtaining their first scope.

Often, it's not a simple answer, as many factors should be considered before a decision is made. Portability, go-to or manual, and available funds are just some of the factors.

I thought I would post my latest email and future ones as many experience similar conundrums and may assist others....

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Hi!

I found your site through a google search; my boyfriend has just moved to Chicago and he loves astronomy. His birthday is coming up in Sept and I am hoping to buy him a beginner telescope -- something that could give us some decent views of the moon and some bright planets. I know absolutely nothing about this sort of thing though even though I too love space but have never bought a telescope. Is there one we could set up at our tall windows with a clear view of the sky and see things or is that impossible?

Also, if you could recommend a good scope for our purposes that is under $300, that would be fantastic and sincerely appreciated!! I was looking at this site's www.sciplus.com/search.cfm/term/telescope/start/12/maxrows/11/srch.fp/1 and specifically the astromasters. Are those any good?

Finally, and thank you in advance for bearing with me, where by Adler is a good viewing spot exactly? What other spots are good? If I can surprise him with a visit to one of these spots, I think it'd make a memorable birthday

Thanks for all your help if you're able to answer any or all of my questions, We'll definitely try to make the next chicago astronomers star party!

Many thanks,
Laura

Hi Laura,

Looking through windows to observe the heavens is not a good idea.
The imperfections of the window will distort any views and any
observations must be outdoors.

On selection of a telescope...

This is more difficult. It depends on what you want to do. Planets & Moon...or deep space objects...tracking & go-to capabilities?

I usually recommend a Dobsonian-type of telescope for the beginner. Economical, tough and you can get a larger aperture - (6 to 8 inch is good) - and this is what all astronomers strive for. The more light you can get into the tube, the better the views and magnification. Although I cannot recommend a particular vendor, a search will come up with many options. The scope you linked to is ok....but I'm not a fan of Single-arm scopes and I think it's too pricey.

Only you can define the balance between price, portability, light
gathering abilities and electronics. I would be happy assist you in
your selections and give you my opinions.

On observation locations....

Anywhere along the lakefront is good. As we have the lake before us, the light pollution is limited and skies darker. I like to set up our telescopes just off the Adler and share the skies with the public - where all the major celestial objects are easily observed under the light polluted skies of Chicago's skyline.

You are welcomed to participate in our Chicago Astronomer Star Parties that we schedule often in the area. if you would like to be included in the email notices, let me know. You can also follow along on www.twitter.com/astronomerjoe or keep up on the Chicago Astronomer website.

Thanks for contacting the Chicago Astronomer and hope this is the start of a lifelong enjoyment.

Joe

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Hi Joe,

Thanks so much for getting back to me, I sincerely appreciate it! I've read up a bit and figured out the necessary criteria in a scope, with the number 1 requirement being portability and viewing only the moon and planets, not deep space objects. We don't have a car and will be transporting the scope via foot or public transport. We also have an outdoor deck that I'd like to use (on clear/lazy nights!), so being able to pick it up and re-assemble on the go is crucial. As a result, I'm probably priced out of any 6-8 inch scopes that are portable so I'm wondering whether a 70-80mm will still give us good views of the moon and any visible planets? I'd also like to avoid collimation ...how hard is to to regularly do that if we are complete novices?

Here are my current picks for a lower aperture:
www.amazon.com/Celestron-21062-AstroMaster-Refractor-Telescope/dp/B000MLL6QE/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1282935922&sr=1-2
www.telescopes.com/telescopes/refracting-telescopes/celestronpowerseeker80eqtelescope.cfm
www.telescopes.com/telescopes/refracting-telescopes/celestronastromaster70eqrefractor.cfm#tabs
www.telescope.com/control/telescopes/refractor-telescopes/orion-observer-70mm-altazimuth-refractor-telescope

Higher aperture, are these any good?
www.amazon.com/Celestron-31045-AstroMaster-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B000MLL6RS/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1282935922&sr=1-3
www.amazon.com/Celestron-21049-127EQ-PowerSeeker-Telescope/dp/B0007UQNKY/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1282934081&sr=1-4 (requires additional eyepieces)
www.telescopes.com/telescopes/refracting-telescopes/meade90azadraltazimuthrefractortelescope.cfm

What are single arm scopes? The kind I'm sending you links of? Why don't you like them? Thanks for the advice thus far, it really helped narrow down my search!

Finally, I would love to be included in email notices! Thanks so much again.

~Laura

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Laura,

Refractors are easier to work and maintain. Reflectors need an occasional adjustment to collimate the mirrors and are bulkier...but provide larger apertures. I used a 4.5" reflector for many years with satisfying results.

Refractors are great for planets and the Moon, while reflectors are much better suited for deep space objects such as nebulae and star clusters - due to the larger aperture and light gathering ability.

You have five refractors and two reflectors in your list. Number 1 and 3 refractors are the same.

Lets' start down the your list...



The 70 EQ is a lower entry level scope with a EQ mount and solid tripod. This scope will indeed show you the Moon and planets, (dim and small), but you can do better.



Celestron PowerSeeker 80 EQ

This is a better scope. Larger aperture, it will provide good views for the very reasonable price. I would like to use this as a finderscope on my C11 beast SCT. It comes with two eyepieces and a decent finder scope.



Orion Observer 70mm Altazimuth Refractor

This telescope is just about as basic as you can get without buying a cheap Dept. store scope...(which are not suitable for serious observation). With a simple Alt/AZ mount...it allows for simple up/down/side-to-side motion. Sometimes the EQ mounts are not necessary, especially without any motor drives/tracking.



The Astromaster Celestron 130 EQ

This is a good reflecting telescope for the price and will provide decent images. It just comes with one 10mm eyepiece, which is not cool...you will need at least three of 25mm, 17mm and the 10mm.



Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker

This is a decent beginner scope.

It only comes with 1 20mm eyepiece, and you will need to buy more for lower and higher magnifications.



Meade 90AZ-ADR Altazimuth Refractor

Since you state that portability is the main criteria, this scope is not only small, but at 90mm, a respectable aperture that will provide decent brighter views. The mount is a simple alt/az, (but some of the reviews state that the mount is a bit shaky.) I would also use this as a finder scope on my C11, ridding myself of the mount and just using the tube.

But......

I would go with the Celestron PowerSeeker 80 EQ

It's more solid, good aperture and the reviews seem to positive. There is no messing with mirrors - and it's a grab-and-go scope with minimal set up time. At only 19 lbs, it would be cinch to carry around. (I would keep it in my trunk if I had it.)

And the price is very good.

Don't expect magazine-like images - full of detail and color, but this little scope with bring you decent images of the Moon, the bands and satellites of Jupiter, rings of Saturn and a host of other celestial objects Expect the images to be on the small side, but I learned the sky with a simple little 60mm Montgomery Wards refractor as a kid...and loved it.

I think this is the one for your needs Laura and a good entry level telescope.