I think the Celestron AZ 102 refractor available at Costco is a starter telescope for a beginner. It is affordable, easy to set up and easy to use. It provides solid views of a range of objects at low and medium power. It can accept upgraded optical components for even better views. ...
I'm excited to join this community as a beginner seeking guidance and support in my newfound passion for stargazing. Recently, I acquired my first telescope, a Nedis 600/50, which I purchased for a modest $56. While I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet due to light pollution in...
Our goal at Cloudy Nights is to assist amateur astronomers in better understanding the equipment that goes with the hobby. We strive to accomplish this goal in three ways. by providing a forum for reviews of telescopes and accessories by providing a fo
A telescope doesn't need electronics, a clock-drive, a hand-controller, etc. People made good use of telescopes long before electronics hit the scene, and some still do today. Go out with that beginner and his/her telescope and learn together how to use a telescope in the old ways. (D...
Page 280 of 286 - Cloudy Nights Introduce Yourself - posted in Beginners Forum (No Astrophotography): Hi everyone, Cindy here. I can still remember the first time I looked through a telescope eyepiece at about 12 years old and saw Jupiter. What a feelin
Page 4 of 4 - Beginner Questions - posted in Beginners Forum (No Astrophotography): Spectral type C carbon stars are the reddest stars visible using a telescope. They are ageing lower mass stars. Mu Cephei is a spectral type M2 red supergiant and is n
Page 278 of 279 - Cloudy Nights Introduce Yourself - posted in Beginners Forum (No Astrophotography): Hi all, always being interested in astronomy but finally took the plunge and ordered myself a C5 Schmidt Cassegrain. As I live in a light polluted area
Page 1 of 4 - Collimating a Dob for a Beginner - posted in Beginners Forum (No Astrophotography): Hello! Im patiently waiting on my first scope, an Apertura AD10, to be shipped and am super excited for its arrival! While I wait Im researching as much
Page 273 of 284 - Cloudy Nights Introduce Yourself - posted in Beginners Forum (No Astrophotography): Some of the information on astronomy, amateur astronomy, and observing presented in my post (#22) at https://www.cloudyni...mers/?p=5184287 may be usef
Another suggestion for joining your local club. Take a good look through as many scopes as you can. One thing you probably won't see are the cheapo beginner scopes. Also check out the hassle factor of the various scopes: how hard is it to set up, how heavy, difficult to transport, et...