Telescope advice (for the less fortunate)?

Larry - Certainly. Fair point, well taken. But the most frequent questions that we encounter are not "how can I see the Moon?" or "how can I see Jupiter?" They are more like "How can I use my 60mm Tasco refractor telescope to see the Veil Nebula and the Whirlpool Galaxy and the details in the Jovian clouds?" At that point, we are confronted with a dilemma, since there is no physical method available to do that with a 60 mm refractor. So we can either say "forget it," or we can describe what is required in order to reach the stated goal. And that, like so many other things, generally requires a larger investment than has been previously undertaken by the asker.

I am perfectly willing to help people who cannot afford to buy a C-11. But if they have C-11 expectations, then they will not have any success on a Tasco 60 mm budget. Most of the enjoyable experiences in the world of amateur astronomy (other than the Moon, which can easily occupy years of exploration) require a certain minimum investment. Without that level of initial capital, there is not much advice we can provide that will allow them to see what they are looking for.

One more limitation in that regard is that I am reluctant to recommend that beginners buy used scopes from places like EBay or even AstroMart. That is never a good idea for a beginner who does not know how to fix whatever will go wrong.

So we are facing some limitations in terms of lofty expectations vs. limited budgets. It is not an easily resolved problem.

1. I always try to help people make use of what they already have.

2. I always keep budgets in mind, but must be honest when expectations exceed budgets.

3. I always try to recommend the best alternatives within the stated limitations.

BUT, I am strongly aware of how many people have unrealistic expectations. Telescopes are by definition precision instruments, and cannot be made to perform adequately unless certain minimum optical and mechanical standards are met. Otherwise, the result is massive frustration, and I see that again and again. The tragedy is that many people spend too MUCH money for poor quality instruments, when careful shopping would have got them a BETTER instrument for LESS money. That is why I recommend Dobsonian reflectors: inch for inch, dollar for dollar, they offer by far the best value for the money, no matter what their size.

It is a fact that it takes experience and study to make a wise choice in buying a telescope. Then, good telescopes are expensive.

Nobody on YA caused this, and no amount of whining from you will change it.

If you don't want to take the time or spend the money, go ahead and buy some junk from Walmart. Dont be surprised when you are disappointed.

That everyone doesn't have $15k to drop on a telescope is certainly news to me. If I had a $15k telescope I could mount it to the side of my other telescope and use it as a finder scope. That would help me keep within my means. I'd help people if I weren't so tired having been up all night in the observatory using my telescope.

My RBFF doesn't have a telescope at all. He has a boat. His boat has a littler boat on it. You should go nag him about helping people get boats of their own. But only boats that they can afford. Ones without little boats on them. Or maybe little boats without bigger boats underneath them.

I hope this has been helpful.

Yours Truly

Zardoz

I frequent this section regularly and have never seen the events you talk about.

Astronomy is an Expensive hobby. Scubadiving is an expensive hobby.

Skydiving is an expensive hobby.

Some hobbies are just more expensive than others.

What may seem like a lot of money may actually be a tiny amount in the hobby you choose. Don't cry about it. Save up money.

That replaced into so inspiring. have you ever seen the action picture "pay it forward"? Watch it in case you haven't any longer . yet another valuable feeling is handing over a substancial present anonomisly. Its a great feeling to recognize you introduced somebody a grin or reliable will and to observe from the section as they're rewarded.