Getting Started

1. Binoculars - one for each person that will be taking part, you don’t need to spend a lot of money, 7×32 to 10×50, at a good prices is the way to go. We got our at the local sports store because you could hold them before you buy, but have used $30 chain store one and had a blast.
2. A Planisphere – You can buy or download, but sure help learn the night sky at any time. A good alternative is Sky Map for the current month, print out one for each person, find as many of the objects on the back as possible.
3. A library card – to check out books on the night sky, sometimes a book is better than the internet and you can take it outside with you
4. A green laser pointer – Only one is needed, safety is important with this tool, please use common sense and follow the safety warnings. This may be one tool that gets everyone to take part. Be sure to get one under 5mw.
5. Internet – Ok you have this, but there is so much information to help you get started that you may need to stop reading and start looking up
6. Red Flashlight – Do the best you can with our current flashlights, hobby stores have red film to cover the lens

• How to use Binoculars – ok I don’t have any magic code or method, learn to use the Binoculars during the day to see birds and stuff, then at night just point them up! At our clubs public start party at Pilot Mt. state park, I have helped people find many object in the night sky. On one great night I had more the 15 people find the Andromeda Galaxy with binoculars, I smiled for days.

This is not complete and only just started, please if you have any input or would like to add to this just let us know! - fas@fas37.org

Getting started with astronomy and picking your 1st telescope

Picking your 1st telescope – this is not an easy choice; money is a big factor as is what you want to look at and how. There are complete books written on just this subject, go to your local public library and get a few.

My two cents -

Cost - $250 and up is a good place to start. Please do not buy a cheap scope (under $100) at your local chain store, more will follow in the do not section below. This is just one factor of many please don’t buy a big expensive scope that you can and will not use. It is better to start at a reasonable cost and work your way up and down as to find out what fits your needs best!

Size – what you can move, store, and transport. You are the one that will carry it in and out of your car, house, and backyard. Make sure the weight is something you can handle, there are a few rules about scope buying and which is the best, I agree with “the best scope is the one that is, and can be used by you”! The bigger the scope the more you can see but the more it weighs.

Magnification – Most viewing takes place at below 100X so please don’t buy a scope with box that states 800X if you don’t need a big pickup truck to move it! Type of Scope – Ok now we have entered the “My Dog Zone”. Of course the type scope I have is the best that you can get. It fast, bigger, easier, and cost less than any scope you can buy unless you buy the exact one I have.

Personally - I think a Dobsonian Reflector is a very good starter scope that offers a good range of price and features. From the sub $300 Orion, to the mid range Meade’s and others and finial to the “you have to have” Obsessions’, with many in the middle and few higher or better. (You can dream of an 18+” Obsession). I started with a Meade ETX125, it’s a good scope and does a good job overall but my wife’s Meade 10” Dobsonian is a real joy to use! What is my next scope? A 80mm refractor on an Alt-Az mount that I can setup in the backyard in 1 minute or less by caring everything I need out is one trip.

I hope this helps, I’m no expert, don’t have a magic ball to know what you want or need. But I can tell you this it sure is fun pointing glass at the night sky, so get some and look up!

Chip

• Cloudy Nights- Read, study, join, and ask questions, this is one of the best places to find information when starting.
• Visit our club, goto a public viewing, ask for help.