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szeik@hotmail.com

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:52 am

Guest

Hi,

Thanks for the tips on locating Saturn.

It took a couple of tries, but I finally found it low in the horizon
directly east of our house which faces east.

It was pretty magnificent looking, even in this cheap telescope we are
using at the moment!

Before I located Saturn I fixed on a yellowish/redish looking star
that I thought was a planet. This star was north of Orions belt. It
was really bright looking and I thought it looked like a planet in the
scope, but according to a sky chart I looked at there was no planet in
that location last night.

Anyone have a guess what that object may have been?

This scope I got our son for Christmas is really hard to use. Worse
than my Sears telescope I had as a boy. It is also not able to aim
well at obects high in the sky. It seems to only recline to about a
60 degree angle. I had to lower the legs on one side just to get it
to point higher in the sky.

Would appreciate any suggestions for something halfway decent that can
aim high into the sky and is easy to use? Last time I posted on this
topic I was pretty close to trying to find a used orange Celestron C8,
but they are hard to find in good condition. Would appreciate any
suggestions for a decent scope I can buy new for under $500. Just
want something that is stable and easy to use and navigate the sky
with.

Thanks in advance,
Steve

Jim

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:59 am

Guest

In article <1171281134.686468.107410@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups.com>, szeik@hotmail.com wrote:

Quote:

Before I located Saturn I fixed on a yellowish/redish looking star
that I thought was a planet. This star was north of Orions belt. It
was really bright looking and I thought it looked like a planet in the
scope, but according to a sky chart I looked at there was no planet in
that location last night.

Anyone have a guess what that object may have been?

Sounds like Betelgeuse.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betelgeuse>

Jim
--
Find me at http://www.ursaMinorBeta.co.uk
Please help to bring two classic works of whisky literature back into print
by visiting http://www.ClassicExpressions.co.uk Thank you.
"The deil's awa, the deil's awa, the deil's awa wi' th' Exciseman."

Eugene Griessel

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:06 am

Guest

"szeik@hotmail.com" <szeik@hotmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

Thanks for the tips on locating Saturn.

It took a couple of tries, but I finally found it low in the horizon
directly east of our house which faces east.

It was pretty magnificent looking, even in this cheap telescope we are
using at the moment!

Before I located Saturn I fixed on a yellowish/redish looking star
that I thought was a planet. This star was north of Orions belt. It
was really bright looking and I thought it looked like a planet in the
scope, but according to a sky chart I looked at there was no planet in
that location last night.

Anyone have a guess what that object may have been?

A little tip when requesting this sort of information:

Your exact location and the exact date and time (preferably UT) are
of premier importance. Everything in the heavens is on the move,
constantly. And a distance in degrees to the object from a known
object also helps. The object you saw was most probably Betelgeuse,
Alpha Orion. At about the same distance South of Orion's belt you
will see Rigel. Orion is a good place to start locating stars. Off
to the side are Sirius (brightest star in the sky) and Procyon.
Further north from Betelgeuse are the Twins Castor and Pollux and off
to the other side is the Pleiades and Alpha Taurus, Aldebaran.

Eugene L Griessel

Overpopulation: When people take leave of their census.

Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:40 am

On Feb 13, 12:52 am, "s...@hotmail.com" <s...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

Yo' Momma

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:41 am

Guest

<szeik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1171281134.686468.107410@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...

Quote:

Congratulations on finding Saturn. Now that you now where to find it --
remember -- Saturn rises earlier each day, thus, if you look for it at the
same time each day, you'll have to look higher and higher in the sky.
Eventually, Saturn will disappear from view as the Earth and Saturn move to
opposite sides of the sun.

Here's something you might want to do. Did you notice the moons of Saturn?
Saturn has 19 or so moons:
http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/saturn/moons.html

You should be able to see the 3 - 5 largest moons in your scope -- they look
like little stars near Saturn. Now -- here's what to do:
-- Check out Saturn every night at the same time, or close to the same time.
-- Draw a sketch of what you see -- it doesn't have to be to scale, perfect,
or beautiful. Be certain to note the locations of the little points of
light you see around Saturn -- these are Saturn's moons, they look like tiny
stars. In fact, you may also see stars behind Saturn.
-- As you compare the sketches from day to day, you'll notice that some of
the "stars" around Saturn are in different positions each day -- these are
Saturn's moons. You'll notice that other "stars" don't move from day to
day -- these are stars that are in the scope's field of view. The moons
change position because they orbit around Saturn and what you are seeing ss
the changes in the moon's positions as they move around Saturn.

If you're looking for a better scope, I recommend the Orion XT-6 or XT-8.
These are Dobsonian-mounted reflectors and are very good scopes. They come
with two eyepieces -- you could add a Barlow which would double the number
of eyepieces.
http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=9

If you have a few extra bucks, you might get the Intelliscope feature. In
fact, an XT-8 Intelliscope would be a very good buy.
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=237857&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=9&iProductID=237857

Go here and check out my experiences with the XT-8 (lost in Hurricane
Katrina) and my XT-12 Intelliscope.
http://www.schlatter.org/Dad/Astronomy/my%20scopes.htm

Eugene Griessel

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:43 am

Guest

"szeik@hotmail.com" <szeik@hotmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

Thanks for the tips on locating Saturn.

If you want to build yourself a rough angle estimator - and I mean
rough - get a piece of white cardboard and cut three cutouts in it
along the edge.
One of four inches, one of two and one of 1 inch. Make a hole in the
center and thread a 23 inch length of string through it.
Hold the one end of the string under your eye and extend the cardboard
to the full length of the string. The 4 inch notch is a 10 degree
angle, the 2 inch a 5 degree and the 1 inch a 2 and a half degree
angle. Use this on the sky a while and you will soon be able to
estimate angles without it.

Eugene L Griessel

The nipple - the only intuitive user interface, everything else must
be learnt.

Shelldigger

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:48 am

Guest

Those orange tube C 8's come up for sale on Astromart regularly. It
will cost you
10 or 12 bucks now to register but it is money well spent.

You can get a lot of scope under 500 bucks. Check out Orion at
telescope.com

A dob in the 6 - 8 inch range will serve up some nice views and be
steady.
Its up to you to decide if you want push to goto, being new to the
game it
would be a good investment, though many get by without it.

Refractors are nice, but in this price range you are looking at
aperture deficiency and more
of the same "shakey" mounts.

While you are tooling around in the constellation Orion, look closely
at the "sword"
Its a small region just below Orions belt.

Be warned, astronomy is a terrible affliction. Have fun with it!

Charles

On Feb 12, 5:52 am, "s...@hotmail.com" <s...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:50 am

On Feb 13, 12:52 am, "s...@hotmail.com" <s...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

If you can, view it when it has risen higher in the sky later at
night. Generally the higher above the horizon, the better the view as
you are not looking through so much of the Earth's atmosphere.

Quote:

As others said most likely Betelguese.

Quote:

This scope I got our son for Christmas is really hard to use. Worse
than my Sears telescope I had as a boy. It is also not able to aim
well at obects high in the sky. It seems to only recline to about a
60 degree angle. I had to lower the legs on one side just to get it
to point higher in the sky.

Would appreciate any suggestions for something halfway decent that can
aim high into the sky and is easy to use? Last time I posted on this
topic I was pretty close to trying to find a used orange Celestron C8,
but they are hard to find in good condition. Would appreciate any
suggestions for a decent scope I can buy new for under $500. Just
want something that is stable and easy to use and navigate the sky
with.

An 8" Dobsonian such as those sold by Orion are probably a very good
option for your price range.

Bill

Quote:

Thanks in advance,
Steve

Starlord

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:50 am

Guest

Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord

--
There are those who believe that life here, began out there, far across the
universe, with tribes of humans, who may have been the forefathers of the
Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. Some believe that they may yet be
brothers of man, who even now fight to survive, somewhere beyond the
heavens.

The Lone Sidewalk Astronomer of Rosamond
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Sidewalk Astronomy
www.sidewalkastronomy.info
The Church of Eternity
http://home.inreach.com/starlord/church/Eternity.html

<szeik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1171281134.686468.107410@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups.com...

Quote:

Davoud

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 11:08 am

Guest

Steve wrote:

Quote:

I never doubted you for a moment.

Quote:

This isn't really a guess. It was Betelgeuse, a star that got its name
from an unfortunate misreading of the Arabic yed-ul-jawz, rhymes with
"bed'l how's."

You would do well to visit <http://skytonight.com/howto/basics>. At the
same time, you should buy a planisphere, perhaps something like this
<http://www.shopatsky.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=100>
or something that you find at your telescope store -- the one staffed
by experts and that sells only telescopes and related gear. If you
don't know where that is, search the web and ask someone in your local
astronomy club, or call Company Seven <http://www.company7.com>. Every
club that I know of welcomes beginners. After you've mastered the
planisphere (which you should do because it will teach you just about
everything you need to know about celestial mechanics) you need to get
and learn to use a sky atlas. These
<http://www.shopatsky.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=35>
are widely admired. Learn to use it well to navigate your way around
the sky. /Then/ , as a graduation present, give yourself a planetarium
program. There are a zillion of them around for Linux, Mac OS, Unix,
and Windows, and many of them are free or inexpensive.

Quote:

You should base your purchase decision on what interests you in the
sky. Deep sky? Moon? Planets? All of those? If the latter then a
Schmidt Cassegrain telescope of modest size (8-10") would be a good and
/relatively/ inexpensive place to start. Again consult your local
telescope store or contact Company 7 <http://www.company7.com>, which
is one of the best in the business.

Once you are started, need I say that the sky's the limit?

Davoud

I am not affiliated with "Sky and Telescope" or "Company Seven."

--
usenet *at* davidillig dawt com

Starboard

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:37 pm

Guest

Quote:

Would appreciate any suggestions for something halfway decent that can
aim high into the sky and is easy to use?
Thanks in advance,
Steve

Steve,

There's a pattern forming in this thread. I agree with the consensus -
provided you're interested in _visual_ observation. I think you would
be quite pleased with the performance and value of the Orion Skyquest
Dobsonians; either XT-6 or XT-8. I would highly recommend going with
the XT-8 (8") since it's solidly in your price range. (See links
below) The reason is that although the 8" is only two inches in
diameter bigger (33%) than the 6 ", the surface area (important for
light gathering) will be roughly 56% more. And the 8" is still very
portable; an important aspect many times overlooked by most eager new
comers to the hobby. What good is an awesome scope that you won't use
because it too much trouble take out the closet?

And now is a good time to buy one. Orion is running a special offer
which makes it a really sweet deal. They are currently upgrading the
finder scopes from the standard 6X30 (6 power by 30mm objective lens)
to a right angled 9X50. Bigger finders make it easier to locate faint
objects and the *right angle* will flip the image. This is good
because the finder itself flips the image once (makes every thing look
upside down) so adding the right angle (90 deg.) mirror flips the
image again making it right-side up. In addition, they throw in a
Deluxe laser collimator (handy tool to have for aligning the
telescope's internal mirrors, but will not substitute for some good
tools and plenty reading - but that's a whole nother subject you will
ask about later) and a very nice star chart.

Oh and as was already stated, you get two eye pieces (they are
actually pretty good for starters). You also get Starry Night for the
computer (very nice) and a nice DVD (for TV) to introduce newbies to
what's out there. Nice extras I think.

*NOTE - The scopes addressed here or the Dobsonian species. If you
think that you will want to get into photography, let the group know
so that folks here can recommend a different scope. Dobs are great
for viewing. Very stable. But they do not track the object. You will
have to follow it as it moves across the sky (actually, it doesn't
move, but is the Earth that's turning - but you knew that). You will
be able to hold a camera to the eye piece and snap a photo or two of
the Moon, Saturn, or Jupiter, but for really nice pictures, you need a
scope that tracks. (Dobs can be made to track (not easily), but if
your true interest is in pictures, it would be best to avoid them and
buy a scope more suited for photography)

The links below will take you to two versions of the 8" scope
mentioned above. The Classic model with shipping will cost you about
$400. That gives $100 for accessories. The XT-8 Intelliscope is
computer assisted (a hand held unit plugs into the scope base and
directs the user to 14000 celestial objects and will run almost $600 w/
shipping. Handy to have, but amateur astronomers are encouraged not to
be computer dependent, but to learn the sky. If you fork over the
extra cash for the object locator and learn the sky, you'll be glad in
the long run you did both.

The first accessory that you will want (IMO need) is a 2X Barlow. A
barlow will double the magnification achieved by any eye piece used
with it; plus add eye relief. Orion offers the Shorty and Shorty Plus,
both also on sale; $31 and $61 respectively.

I am not affiliated with ORION beyond that of being a very satisfied
customer.

Below are four links to the equipment discussed above. Two are repeats
of the ones posted by Yo' Momma. Two are to the Barlows.

Orion XT-8 Classic
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=252215&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=9&iProductID=252215

Orion XT-8 intelliscope w/object locator
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=237857&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=9&iProductID=237857

Shorty-Plus™ 2x 3-Element Barlow
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=183150&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=6&iSubCat=25&iProductID=183150

Shorty™ 2x Barlow Lens, 1.25"
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=253&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=6&iSubCat=25&iProductID=253

***** But before you do anything, take time to check out the links
given by Starlord and Davoud. They will give you knowledge you need to
buy with some confidence.

Errol
www.pasnola.org

Starlord

Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:36 pm

Guest

There's always the Stargazer Steve Dobs too and as an owner of one I know
it's a good scope.

--
There are those who believe that life here, began out there, far across the
universe, with tribes of humans, who may have been the forefathers of the
Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. Some believe that they may yet be
brothers of man, who even now fight to survive, somewhere beyond the
heavens.

The Lone Sidewalk Astronomer of Rosamond
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Sidewalk Astronomy
www.sidewalkastronomy.info
The Church of Eternity
http://home.inreach.com/starlord/church/Eternity.html

"Starboard" <errol_winn@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1171305446.157754.41380@s48g2000cws.googlegroups.com...

Quote:

Would appreciate any suggestions for something halfway decent that can
aim high into the sky and is easy to use?
Thanks in advance,
Steve

Steve,

There's a pattern forming in this thread. I agree with the consensus -
provided you're interested in _visual_ observation. I think you would
be quite pleased with the performance and value of the Orion Skyquest
Dobsonians; either XT-6 or XT-8. I would highly recommend going with
the XT-8 (8") since it's solidly in your price range. (See links
below) The reason is that although the 8" is only two inches in
diameter bigger (33%) than the 6 ", the surface area (important for
light gathering) will be roughly 56% more. And the 8" is still very
portable; an important aspect many times overlooked by most eager new
comers to the hobby. What good is an awesome scope that you won't use
because it too much trouble take out the closet?

And now is a good time to buy one. Orion is running a special offer
which makes it a really sweet deal. They are currently upgrading the
finder scopes from the standard 6X30 (6 power by 30mm objective lens)
to a right angled 9X50. Bigger finders make it easier to locate faint
objects and the *right angle* will flip the image. This is good
because the finder itself flips the image once (makes every thing look
upside down) so adding the right angle (90 deg.) mirror flips the
image again making it right-side up. In addition, they throw in a
Deluxe laser collimator (handy tool to have for aligning the
telescope's internal mirrors, but will not substitute for some good
tools and plenty reading - but that's a whole nother subject you will
ask about later) and a very nice star chart.

Oh and as was already stated, you get two eye pieces (they are
actually pretty good for starters). You also get Starry Night for the
computer (very nice) and a nice DVD (for TV) to introduce newbies to
what's out there. Nice extras I think.

*NOTE - The scopes addressed here or the Dobsonian species. If you
think that you will want to get into photography, let the group know
so that folks here can recommend a different scope. Dobs are great
for viewing. Very stable. But they do not track the object. You will
have to follow it as it moves across the sky (actually, it doesn't
move, but is the Earth that's turning - but you knew that). You will
be able to hold a camera to the eye piece and snap a photo or two of
the Moon, Saturn, or Jupiter, but for really nice pictures, you need a
scope that tracks. (Dobs can be made to track (not easily), but if
your true interest is in pictures, it would be best to avoid them and
buy a scope more suited for photography)

The links below will take you to two versions of the 8" scope
mentioned above. The Classic model with shipping will cost you about
$400. That gives $100 for accessories. The XT-8 Intelliscope is
computer assisted (a hand held unit plugs into the scope base and
directs the user to 14000 celestial objects and will run almost $600 w/
shipping. Handy to have, but amateur astronomers are encouraged not to
be computer dependent, but to learn the sky. If you fork over the
extra cash for the object locator and learn the sky, you'll be glad in
the long run you did both.

The first accessory that you will want (IMO need) is a 2X Barlow. A
barlow will double the magnification achieved by any eye piece used
with it; plus add eye relief. Orion offers the Shorty and Shorty Plus,
both also on sale; $31 and $61 respectively.

I am not affiliated with ORION beyond that of being a very satisfied
customer.

Below are four links to the equipment discussed above. Two are repeats
of the ones posted by Yo' Momma. Two are to the Barlows.

Orion XT-8 Classic
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=252215&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=9&iProductID=252215

Orion XT-8 intelliscope w/object locator
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=237857&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=9&iProductID=237857

Shorty-PlusT 2x 3-Element Barlow
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=183150&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=6&iSubCat=25&iProductID=183150

ShortyT 2x Barlow Lens, 1.25"
http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=253&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=6&iSubCat=25&iProductID=253

***** But before you do anything, take time to check out the links
given by Starlord and Davoud. They will give you knowledge you need to
buy with some confidence.

Errol
www.pasnola.org

szeik@hotmail.com

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:04 am

Guest

Quote:

That object locator feature sounds very tempting to get. How does the
telescope know where in the sky it is pointing?

I am assuming you have to enter your exact location and the the date
and time and it uses the same database that some of the web sites
have, but it also has to know where it is pointing somehow.

Just curious.

Thanks for the tips.

Steve

Eugene Griessel

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:13 am

Guest

"szeik@hotmail.com" <szeik@hotmail.com> wrote:

Quote:

The XT-8 Intelliscope is
computer assisted (a hand held unit plugs into the scope base and
directs the user to 14000 celestial objects and will run almost $600 w/
shipping. Handy to have, but amateur astronomers are encouraged not to
be computer dependent, but to learn the sky. If you fork over the
extra cash for the object locator and learn the sky, you'll be glad in
the long run you did both.

That object locator feature sounds very tempting to get. How does the
telescope know where in the sky it is pointing?

I am assuming you have to enter your exact location and the the date
and time and it uses the same database that some of the web sites
have, but it also has to know where it is pointing somehow.

Yes - unless it has a built in GPS, which will nake the location and
time entry superfluous. It will then point to a couple (or three)
bright stars in succession and ask you to line them up exactly and
press enter. Once you have done that it's ready to find anything in
its database.

Eugene L Griessel

People who want to share their religious views with you almost never
want you to share yours with them.

Eugene Griessel

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:15 am

Guest

eugene@dynagen..co..za (Eugene Griessel) wrote:

Quote:

"szeik@hotmail.com" <szeik@hotmail.com> wrote:

The XT-8 Intelliscope is
computer assisted (a hand held unit plugs into the scope base and
directs the user to 14000 celestial objects and will run almost $600 w/
shipping. Handy to have, but amateur astronomers are encouraged not to
be computer dependent, but to learn the sky. If you fork over the
extra cash for the object locator and learn the sky, you'll be glad in
the long run you did both.

That object locator feature sounds very tempting to get. How does the
telescope know where in the sky it is pointing?

I am assuming you have to enter your exact location and the the date
and time and it uses the same database that some of the web sites
have, but it also has to know where it is pointing somehow.

Yes - unless it has a built in GPS, which will nake the location and
time entry superfluous. It will then point to a couple (or three)
bright stars in succession and ask you to line them up exactly and
press enter. Once you have done that it's ready to find anything in
its database.

PS. I never seem to have the 8 penlight batteries mine requires handy
so I seldom use it!

Eugene L Griessel

There is always an easy solution to every human problem
- neat, plausible and wrong.

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