Mississippi Bullfrog Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Living in the middle of nowhere we are gifted by dark skies which means that on a clear night the stars and planets are spectacular. I have a good set of binoculars with which I have enjoyed spotting things using an app to help know where to look and identify what I can see. I have some birthday money and have recently been pondering investing in a decent telescope. The obvious choice is an 8" reflector dobsonian - but they are quite large and I'm wondering if I'll regret going for something that size. However, bang for your buck they look unbeatable. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellalyra-telescopes/stellalyra-8-f6-dobsonian.html (I know you can get cheaper versions but with the bits I'd want to upgrade this has everything in the box for less money.) I like the low maintenance and portability of a refractor but for an aperture that's large enough they get expensive both in terms of the scope and mount. We have a local club but they don't meet for a while. Just wondered if any of you guys have any experience or advice to share? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorky Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Sorry, I can't help in any way, shape or form on your question. But I did find this on eBay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334723125702?hash=item4def0d91c6:g:MgkAAOSwyk5j1sza&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsCAbHsTotLGcNbnl2h%2FZk94KiJZ9nHgA8dPltezMoWxAXSB0ojf47TcDtkJ5I8hvbLWwbUVidbG0KX5oxueA%2F89qCtntf4nmNPSHTmdKDPlx%2B96HyCEgwmrJYbaXUoRvNldCTIS0gm8LxZJgedUeAFamCf4eq58LYRy1BvU4%2B1ZsIjlfOx0vlnzII%2F2NQVE9wb7wP1XmSXsZc9D%2BmL%2Fqk6%2B7gc8WH3dzJ%2B%2FMkOrrA90C|tkp%3ABk9SR_C7mpLCYQ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeHorton Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 8 hours ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said: Living in the middle of nowhere we are gifted by dark skies which means that on a clear night the stars and planets are spectacular. I have a good set of binoculars with which I have enjoyed spotting things using an app to help know where to look and identify what I can see. I have some birthday money and have recently been pondering investing in a decent telescope. The obvious choice is an 8" reflector dobsonian - but they are quite large and I'm wondering if I'll regret going for something that size. However, bang for your buck they look unbeatable. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/stellalyra-telescopes/stellalyra-8-f6-dobsonian.html (I know you can get cheaper versions but with the bits I'd want to upgrade this has everything in the box for less money.) I like the low maintenance and portability of a refractor but for an aperture that's large enough they get expensive both in terms of the scope and mount. We have a local club but they don't meet for a while. Just wondered if any of you guys have any experience or advice to share? Looks like a decent bit of kit. Something I've had an interest in but little time to get into it. I have a friend who is into it and has bought some attachment so he can link his camera up to it and take pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onesea Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 (edited) I like star watching normally whilst riding or sailing, Salisbury plain area is particularly good. New forest here is not bad either. Sailing it has to be away from ports and marinas. However no help to your question either Edited February 2, 2023 by onesea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerontious Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Camped one night on the edge of a tiny village close to the Czech border. Clear night, no moon. went for a walk and looked up. Milky Way stretched across the sky and so many satellites. Literally 100s of them. Never seen anything even remotely like it since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Altitude no light pollution and good air make huge difference. Get some reasonable dark skies in Northumberland and Highlands, but not seen anywhere to rival mountains in USA. I'm sure a good scope will keep you amused for hours add a camera mount and you can get some pics up and share Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeHorton Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Wild Atlantic way in Ireland is famed for v little light pollution great sky's at night out by the Skellig ring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veracocha Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 I was into it in a big way a few years ago but living in Birmingham the light pollution was so bad there were very few dark nights on offer. I spent a lot of nights in Galloway or the Peaks. This was equally frustrating due to regular cloudy nights and having travelled hundreds of miles and setting up all my gear I finally gave up. One of the very few occasions where I did have 180 degree view of a beautifully dark night I got as much fun with a decent pair of binoculars than I did slewing the scope from nebula to cluster etc. In hindsight, the ease of use with a dob made much more sense. I used to go to starparties where F.L.O would often attend and you got some good deal from them. Try Stargazerslounge forum, some great advice there and there's always news of meet-ups for the experienced or beginner. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianco2564 Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 I've got one of these, got it off ebay about 4 years ago for £60, quite the bargain. https://www.ukcamerastore.co.uk/acatalog/Celestron-Astromaster-114EQ--55555555555655.html Bought it to try a get the grandkids interested in Astronomy. We used it this week as #2 grandson had a school project on the night sky and were watching the moon on Monday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pie man Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 Often found the sky at night interesting, its pretty dark where I am, but also bloody cloudy too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Westerly Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 (edited) At sea I sky watch often because there's usually no light pollution once you are offshore. The southern hemisphere is best as there's a lot less dust in the upper atmosphere so it gets clearer skies. A friend tried photography but it doesn't really work as the constant vibration and movement doesn't work well with long exposures. Edited February 3, 2023 by S-Westerly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 On 02/02/2023 at 08:01, Yorky said: Sorry, I can't help in any way, shape or form on your question. But I did find this on eBay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334723125702?hash=item4def0d91c6:g:MgkAAOSwyk5j1sza&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsCAbHsTotLGcNbnl2h%2FZk94KiJZ9nHgA8dPltezMoWxAXSB0ojf47TcDtkJ5I8hvbLWwbUVidbG0KX5oxueA%2F89qCtntf4nmNPSHTmdKDPlx%2B96HyCEgwmrJYbaXUoRvNldCTIS0gm8LxZJgedUeAFamCf4eq58LYRy1BvU4%2B1ZsIjlfOx0vlnzII%2F2NQVE9wb7wP1XmSXsZc9D%2BmL%2Fqk6%2B7gc8WH3dzJ%2B%2FMkOrrA90C|tkp%3ABk9SR_C7mpLCYQ Thanks for that - but it would it would cost me a day and towards £100 in petrol to pick it up. For someone local it's a bargain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted February 6, 2023 Author Share Posted February 6, 2023 Just to share the outcome of this.... Whilst an 8" Dobsonian is technically the best choice for me the chairman of our local astronomy club pointed out that its a long walk from the car park to the field where they meet. His advice was to get something cheaper and more portable to start with, then add the Dob later if needed. So I've gone for a 90mm refractor which is half the price but is eaten as a good basic scope. It also means less setting up and maintenance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorky Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 So it sounds like skywatching is akin to motorbiking. You always aspire to the latest and greatest when something half the price will do much the same job. It's amazing what you can learn by listening to those in the know :-) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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