Telescope owners please report

[Jeep Junkie]

Please suggest something cheap that could show me Andromeda Galaxy, just enough that I could tell it's a Galaxy

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[Medsker]

I'd spend the money on some nice binoculars. Then you can use them everywhere. I remember looking at it in a pair of binoculars my Scoutmaster had and could totally tell it was a galaxy. This was 40 years ago so I imagine they make nicer ones for cheaper now. Good luck!

 

[Jeep Junkie]

I'd spend the money on some nice binoculars. Then you can use them everywhere. I remember looking at it in a pair of binoculars my Scoutmaster had and could totally tell it was a galaxy. This was 40 years ago so I imagine they make nicer ones for cheaper now. Good luck!

That's a great idea, thanks. How is a binocular's zooming power measured, what number should I look for?

 

[Jeep Junkie]

I'd spend the money on some nice binoculars. Then you can use them everywhere. I remember looking at it in a pair of binoculars my Scoutmaster had and could totally tell it was a galaxy. This was 40 years ago so I imagine they make nicer ones for cheaper now. Good luck!

Found this one but 8 times magnification kinda stinks, no?

 

[Ratbert]

Join a local astronomy club and go to one of their star parties in a dark sky area. You'll get to look through some amazing scopes and figure out what makes sense for you.

Being in the Seattle area, however, probably means waiting for a few months.

 

[Jeep Junkie]

Mods, I have no idea why two duplicate threads got created. Please kindly merge them

 

[LAM]

Been a while but there are programs that stack and enhance groups of night sky photos enough to distinguish nebula. Might work for far away galaxies.

Orion nebula taken with 90mm camera lens which isn’t even a telephoto. Used 40 stacked photos, 2 sec exposures, f/2, iso 3200. The program aligned the stars, but not the foreground telephone pole. Taken in city light conditions. I couldn’t see the nebula myself.

 

[Medsker]

I'm not even sure. I just remember his were around 12-14 inches long. We could barely hold them steady as a 12 year old scout. Hopefully some people will chime in that know about these things.

 

[west tex]

Andromeda (M31) shows up nicely in a good pair of binoculars. 10x50 or 8x42 will give you a good view in a dark sky location. No need for a telescope.

 

[west tex]

Magnification isn't all that important in getting a good view. The diameter of the objective lens is what gathers light allowing you to see more. 8x42 or better yet, 10x50 binos will work well for Andromeda.

 

[BDinTX]

Interesting question. I actually wouldn’t mind having a good set of binoculars. I also know nothing about them but I’d lean toward a company known for optics. @west tex what about things like auto focus or image stabilization?

something like this (with):

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...35_10x50_military_marine_binocular.html/specs

Or this (without):

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/319411-USA/Nikon_7245_10x50_Action_EX_Extreme.html

 

[Snacktime]

We use to use a spotting scope growing up. In college we had a 16" telescope that was amazing. If you took advanced physics astronomy you go unlimited access with keys lol.

 

[Ratbert]

As stated, a good set of binoculars (useful in a Jeep) will show it. They're also good for comets.

It's been a few years since I've researched them, but something like this could be a candidate: https://www.highpointscientific.com/sky-watcher-virtuoso-gti-150p-tabletop-goto-dobsonian-s21205. Do your research, of course.

I have a 10" reflector on an equatorial mount. Don't do something like that. It's way too massive to easily move. The easier it is to deal with the more likely you'll continue to use it.

If it's for more than just glancing at Andromeda, then you'll probably want something that rotates with the planet or is one of the "goto" scopes. You'll be shocked at how quickly things move out of view.

 

[west tex]

Those Nikon Action Extreme 10x50s are a real decent bino at an affordable price point. Stabilized binos are also great, but VERY pricey. When stargazing, I've found it helps to lean against something solid. Your Jeep serves well in that role.

 

[DarthAWM]

Please suggest something cheap that could show me Andromeda Galaxy, just enough that I could tell it's a Galaxy

a tripod will help immensely with seeing things in space, we humans are naturally shaky

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