More on buying the best affordable scope ................

[S. Anand]

What is required for observing the sky - here are some basic points
to consider.

Thinking of buying a telescope?
http://www.phys.vt.edu/~jhs/dobsonian.html

Expert advice from the guide books:
------------------------------------------------------------------
The most important advice is to seek out a local astronomy club for
guidance.

Attend a sky watch session and look at the instruments and know about
them before you buy.

# What gives most optical performance for a given aperture?

Usually, a high-quality refractor. (Minimum $400 to 2000 )

Best is to have minimum 80 mm for normal sky watching.

But BEWARE of mass-market junk refractors, advertised as high-power
and sold in department stores.

50mm 60 mm cheap refractors will not show rings of Satrun or any
details on planets and the images are usually blurry . They have shaky
mounts also.

Check the mounts when you buy any scope.

The mount is as important as the scope. Without a solid, steady
mounting, you can't even focus properly
- - - - - - -

# What gives most optical performance for a given car to carry it?

Usually, a Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov-Cassegrain.

Minimum 127 mm (do not buy less than this aperture)

- - - - -

# What gives most optical performance for a given budget ?

Usually, a medium to large Dobsonian telescope.
(Cheap and best and can be your lifetime scope for observing)

Dobsonian Telescope - A conventional Newtonian reflector optical tube
on an inexpensive plywood or fiberboard altazimuth mount. Nylon or
Teflon bearings allow smooth telescope motion at a finger's touch,
with no vibration or unsteadiness. Usually it's a large aperture,
fast focal ratio scope designed for visual deep space observing -
although 6" and 8" medium f/ratio Dobsonians also suitable for
planetary observing are becoming increasingly popular. The Dobsonian
is an economical way to get into large aperture astronomy at a
fraction of the cost of an equatorially-mounted scope.

Minimum aperture recommended is 127 mm (5inches) and 6 inches is
ideal.

Now 8 inches and 10 inches dobsonian telescopes are available with
affordable
prices.

Easy to set up and easy to use. No hassles.

Minimum Rs 15000 is required for a reasonably good scope and minimal
accessories for enjoying sky watching.

If you can afford to spend about Rs.30 000 you can get a very good 8
inch Dobsonian scope.