telescope guide
 |
Seeing the Universe
Sale Price: $4.99  |
A Mini Telescope Buyers Guide On How To Buy A Telescope
Are you interested in astronomy? Wouldn't it be great, to really see, what all those shinning points of light are, in the night sky? Well, you can with a telescope, but how to buy a telescope? What do you need to get started in astronomy, and wouldn't it be great to have it all in an easy telescope buying guide, such as this article?
Well, you have it. Here is the article that can help you get into astronomy. First it is important to consider a few points, when wondering how to buy a telescope. The first and obvious step, is buying a telescope. However, there are some other parts, which go to make your hobby in astronomy, so much more fun.
You need 3 things to get the most out of astronomy, and 1 other item, which I recommend:
1. A telescope (this telescope buying guide, should help with that!)
2. A star atlas
3. A good practical book on astronomy and telescopes
* Optional
4. A notebook
Let us look into these necessary items to get the most out of astronomy. Remember, you can easily get into astronomy, by studying and learning the constellations. Some people in our human history, devoted there lives to constellations, some even to just 1 or 2!
* 1. How To Buy A Telescope?
Your first step before buying a telescope is to consider what you want it for. Remember, telescopes are scientific instruments. This is an investment, and generally more you pay, better telescope you get, which can literally last a life time.
If you have been wondering how to buy telescopes, you have come to the right place! Buying a telescope requires buying from either 1 of 3 places. From a specialized telescope shop, though these are not always easily found. The next is through mail order and the third, which is the easiest, is online.
There are 2 main types of telescope, one is reflector telescopes (catoptric), and refracting telescopes (dioptric). One has a big mirror, and the other is longer, and slimmer. They both pretty much do the same objectives. However, many people prefer the reflector for deep space viewing.
* 2 & 3 - A Good Star Atlas And Practical Astronomy And Telescopes Book
Getting the most out of the science of astronomy is not about buying the biggest telescope or the high price you paid. Instead it is about knowing what is where, and where to look.
Galileo's telescope was so inferior to today's telescopes readily available, that he said that Saturn has ears! However, he still invested a lifetime into the study of these objects.
The key to knowing where to look is with a good star atlas, and a practical astronomy book, designed for small telescope use. A book called - Turn Left At Orion, seems to be the most popular, and easy to follow.
* 4. A Notebook
Viewing Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon, can be fun home scientific tasks, but what happens next? We get bored! The truth is, to get the most out of astronomy, is to treat it as a science. Even if you are the worst painter, you still can record a detailed picture of the Moon's craters over days, and see the differences. This will go a long way in the future, and will allow you to look back, and see what many people will never see and all because you invested into the science of astronomy.
About the Author
Here are some telescope resources that can help you find and buy a telescope:
* telescope buying guide
* Meade telescope buyers guide
* Buying Binoculars UK
Why was it easier to see Jupiter 2000 years ago?
There's a GCSE-style question talking about some Chinese astronomer seeing Ganymede without a telescope in my science revision guide thingy. The answer to the question isn't even hinted beforehand in the 'fact bank', and I've become interested in what the answer could be...
Gan De is credited with having seen one of the Jovian moons with the naked eye in 364 BC. It is assumed to be Ganymede as it is the brightest of the four.
Gan De (4th century BC) was a Chinese astronomer/astrologer born in the State of Qi also known as the Lord Gan (Gan Gong). Along with Shi Shen, he is the first in history to compile a star catalogue, followed by the Greek Hipparchus who was the first in the Western tradition to create a star catalogue.
He wrote two books, the Treatise on Jupiter and the 8-volumes Treatise on Astronomical Astrology, both of which have been lost.
In 1973, a similar catalogue by him and Shi Shen was uncovered in Mawangdui and was arranged under the name of Divination of Five Planets, it records the motion of Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and other planets in their orbits between 246 BC and 177 BC.
He is reported to have seen one of the moons of Jupiter (possibly Ganymede) with his naked eye in 364 BC, long before Galileo Galilei's celebrated discovery of the same in 1610 (all four of the brightest moons are technically visible to the unaided eye, but in practice are normally hidden by the glare of Jupiter).
By occluding Jupiter itself behind a high tree limb perpendicular to the satellites' orbital plane to prevent the planet's glare from obscuring them, one or more of the Galilean moons can be spotted in favorable conditions.
Perhaps Gan De practised some such masking out of Jupiter as a technique. Perhaps he had exceptionally good eyesight. Certainly China in the 4th Century BC was not industrialised for air pollution to interfere with astronomers' acuity of vision and there was no electricity to cause light pollution.
US $19.99
 |
McKleinUSA Buckingham 58464 P Series Tech-Lite 1680D Ballistic Nylon Executive Travel Combo (Brown)
List Price: |
DescriptionTwo piece combo set features laptop briefcase and 21 carry on rolling luggage. Features
|
 |
McKlein Roosevelt Nylon 17" Detachable-Wheeled Laptop Case
List Price: |
DescriptionBack compartment padded to protect laptops up to 17" in size , Dual Laptop Protection System uses a high-tech ABS honeycomb frame to protect laptop from exterior impact and a 10mm high-density foam to help absorb shock and prevent moisture intake , Smart Attachment Strap & Smart Zipper Attachment allows transport on extended handles of other rolling cases and luggage , Bonus! Protective Weatherproof Cover , Advanced, non-slip, shock absorbing neoprene comfort flex shoulder strap stretches for comfort, alleviating body strain . Features
|
 |
McKlein USA Buckingham 17" Laptop Overnighter
|
DescriptionMcKlein's P Series Buckingham Executive Travel Two piece combo set made of Tech-Lite 1680D Ballistic Nylon features laptop briefcase and 21 carry on rolling luggage. Features
|
 |
Trailworthy Telescopic Rod and Reel Set
Sale Price: $19.20 |
DescriptionFishing rod and reel set comes with a handy telescoping feature. Fishing set is a perfect gift for the whole family to enjoy . Fishing supplies include fishing rod with spinning reel. Outdoor equipment sports a telescopic rod that extends from 15 inches to approximately 6.2 feet in length (1.9 meters). Spinning reel and line are included . Features lightweight and comfortable foam grips . Design allows for easy change of spinning reel if wanted . Easy storage makes this great for hiking, camping or backpacking . Great for beginners to avid anglers alike.Please Note: Rods and reels are made for fresh water. They are not designed for Salt Water use.Product Features:Fishing set is a perfect gift for the whole family to enjoyEasy storage makes this great for hiking, camping or backpackingGreat for beginners to avid anglers alikeExtends from 15 inches to approximately 6.2 feet in length (1.9 meters)Spinning reel and line are includedLine is fed through guides on every sectionLightweight with comfortable foam gripsDesign allows you to easily change to your favorite spinning reel if wanted Features
|
 |
Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium
List Price: |
Features
|
 |
Star Wars Interactive R2D2 Astromech Droid Robot
Sale Price: $209.99 |
DescriptionCollectors young and old will appreciate the details of this Star Wars Interactive Electronic R2-D2 Astromech Droid. Complete with movie-accurate messages and flashing lights, this droid responds to voice commands and has a special arm designed to keep your beverage handy. This friendly robot is designed to be a fun companion for kids aged eight and up. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: -15px; } table.callout { font-family: verdana; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.3em; } td.think { height: 125px; background: #9DC4D8 url(http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/callout-bg.png) repeat-x; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; border-bottom: 1px dotted #000000; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 250px; } td.glance { height: 100%; background: #9DC4D8; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding-top: 10px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 250px; } img.withlink {border:1px black solid;} What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Detailed robot moves, makes authentic movie sounds, and holds your beverage The Bad: R2-D2 occasionally has trouble deciphering voice commands In a Nutshell: Star Wars collectors are sure to enjoy this cool, interactive droid At a Glance Ages: 8 and up Requires: 4 "AA" batteries and 4 "D" batteries The realistic details of R2-D2 will please collectors young and old. View larger. Bring Home Your Own Astromech Droid Celebrate Star Wars 30th Anniversary by inviting this movie-accurate droid into your life. Once the loyal companion to Queen Amdala, this utility droid is programmed to be your devoted helper and friend. Help him get ready to serve you by snapping his steering legs into place and attaching the projector piece to his domed top. You'll need to use a Phillips screwdriver to insert four "AA" batteries and four "D" cell batteries in his side. More than 15-inches tall, this sophisticated R2-D2 model boasts a secret cargo compartment, a unique swing-down utility arm that's also a beverage holder, a removable sensor scope, a working light beam, sound-processing microphones, and an adaptable droid mood-status indicator. Sonar navigational technology and infrared location sensors help make him one the most advanced droids around. Take Advantage of Three Interactive Modes Intergalactic missions will be more fun with a reliable droid at your side. In companion mode, R2-D2 responds to commands like "Go on patrol," "Light Beam," and "Play Message." Star Wars fans are sure to appreciate the accuracy of the messages, which are culled from famous missions he remembers. You can even ask R2 about friends including Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, Darth Vader, and Jabba the Hutt. He has a different reaction to each name based on his "feelings" for the characters. And if you hit R2 on the head, he'll make irritated beeping sounds and try to move away from you. As you get to know your droid, you'll realize that the noises and motions he makes correspond to his "mood." In game mode, R2 responds to more complicated commands. He'll act as a sentry to protect your important stuff, dance to cantina music, spin around, or play light tag. The third mode is the most complex. This command mode lets you give pointed directions that control R2's movements. Tell him to turn left and right or go forward whenever you want, or set a preprogrammed course for him to follow. While R2 responded to simple commands with no problems, we had difficulty getting him to respond reliably to more complex requests. We trust that, like with any voice-operated electronic system, over time it will get easier to produce a wider range of commands that R2 consistently responds to. Until then, his movie-accurate look, the way he responds to simple commands, and the convenient beverage holder make him a fun comrade. What's in the Box Droid body, two steering legs, projector piece, telescope piece with sensory array, and an operation manual. R2-D2 can respond to commands. View larger. And can double has a beverage holder. View larger. Once the loyal companion to Queen Amdala, this roughly 14" utility droid is now programmed to be your devoted helper and friend. Grab his attention by saying "Hey, Artoo!" and he's ready for more than 40 voice commands! Ask him if he remembers his famous friends, like Luke Skywalker, C-3PO or Jabba the Hutt. Each name will stir up a different response depending on Artoo's "feelings" for that character. Just a few of Artoo's amazing attributes include moving along on his own, turning his front beam on and off, and even playing a secret message when you follow the proper voice commands. In "Game" mode, Artoo plays the hide-and-seek game of Light Tag, dances to cantina music, guards your room with his sentry alarm , or even jazzes up your next party with "Spin The Droid." Once you've mastered Artoo's "companion" and "game" modes, move on to "command" mode for plotting real-time maneuvering or programmed courses for the droid to follow! Artoo also boasts a secret cargo compartment and a unique swing-down utility arm that's also a beverage holder! Window box packaging. Features
|
 |
Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars with Tripod Adapter
List Price: |
DescriptionCelestron and ;s SkyMaster Series of large aperture binoculars are a phenomenal value for high performance binoculars ideal for astronomical viewing or for terrestrial (land) use - especially over long distances. Each SkyMaster model features high quality BAK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics for enhanced contrast. Celestron has designed and engineered the larger SkyMaster models to meet the special demands of extended astronomical or terrestrial viewing sessions. The 15x70 version is one of the most popular models in the series. It offers serious large aperture light gathering in an affordable and reasonably lightweight configuration. Binoculars come in a wide range of shapes and sizes these days, and an even wider range of prices. It's easy to spend less than $100 or more than $500 for what may appear to be, at least outwardly, comparable models. While they may look the same, they are probably quite different on the inside. Recently, the binocular market has seen a flood of giant binoculars at prices that were unheard of just a few years ago. In general, giant binoculars are defined as those that magnify the view 10 times or more and have 70-mm or larger front (objective) lenses. It used to be that the least expensive giant binoculars cost in excess of $150, even $200. All that changed not long ago, when the bottom fell out of the price cellar. Now, several companies import giant binoculars that sell for half that, or less. Celestron's 15x70 SkyMaster binoculars are one of the leaders in the low-price giant binocular arena. They certainly sound good on paper. The SkyMasters include multicoated optics and BaK-4 internal prisms, two features that promise brighter, better images, and key points to look for when judging a pair of binoculars. They also come with an adapter for attaching them to a photo tripod, which is a must to use them to their fullest, and a soft carrying case. But just because they are cheap doesn't always mean they are worth the price. Would it be better to save up for a more expensive pair? To find the answer, I had an opportunity recently to judge the SkyMasters against a pair of Fujinon 16x70 FMT-SX binoculars , one of the finest pairs of giant binoculars sold today. Like the SkyMasters, the Fujinons feature BaK-4 prisms, but also have fully multicoated optics. As a general rule, superior coatings mean superior image sharpness and contrast. But then, that should be expected, given that the Fujinons cost many times more than the Celestrons. While the Fujinons were clearly the better performer, the Celestron SkyMasters held up admirably. Image brightness, quality, and contrast were all remarkable considering their bargain price. Although images were a little soft across the outer 25% of the Celestron's field, the overall view was impressive nonetheless. Some inexpensive binoculars have very sloppy focusing, causing the eyepieces to tilt and shift. Not so with the SkyMasters. I found that their center-focusing mechanism worked smoothly, with no apparently backlash or wobble. Eye relief (the distance you hold your eyes away from the eyepieces to see the full field) is stated to be 18 mm, a good distance for higher power binoculars and an important consideration if you must wear glasses when viewing. The SkyMasters are also light enough to support by hand for short periods of time, although buyers would be well advised to mount them on a sturdy photo tripod. The bottom line is, if you are considering a pair of giant binoculars, whether for bird watching, stargazing, or another recreational use, and have a limited budget, Celestron's giant 15x70 SkyMasters represent an excellent value. --Phil Harrington, author of Star Ware and Star Watch Pros: Exceptional value for the price Light enough to support by hand BaK-4 prisms Multicoated optics Cons: Outer 25% of the field is soft and a little blurry Requires a tripod to use for extended periods Features
|
 |
Bushnell Powerview 12x25 Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular (Black)
List Price: |
DescriptionThe Bushnell(r) Powerview(r) Series of binoculars offers you compact, streamlined designs for bright, crisp views of wherever you're exploring. Bushnell PowerView binoculars offer the best of both worlds, combining contemporary styling and design with traditional Bushnell quality and durability. This particular PowerView binocular offers a 12x magnification and a 25mm objective diameter. The fully coated optics, meanwhile, guarantee superior light transmission and brightness, helping you see just about any target, whether you're searching for birds or trying to get a better view of the stage. And users will love the easy-to-use Insta-Focus system, which adjusts quickly to keep your mobile subject in sharp view. Additional features include a nonslip rubber armor housing that absorbs shock while providing a firm grip, a neck strap and a carrying case for easy transport, and 9mm of eye relief. Specifications: Magnification: 12x Objective lens diameter: 25mm Size class: Compact Focus system: Center Prism system: Roof Prism glass: BK-7 Lens coating: Fully Field of view @ 1,000 yards: 240 feet Close focus distance: 25 feet Exit pupil: 2.1mm Eye relief: 9mm Eyecups: Fold down Waterproof/fogproof: No Adapts to tripod: No Weight: 11.3 ounces Warranty: Limited lifetime Features
|
 |
BARSKA 3-9x32 Plinker-22 Riflescope
List Price: |
DescriptionBarska 3 - 9x32 mm Plinker - 22 Reticle Scope with Rings. Striking performance for your .22 and rimfire! Plinking or hunting, take aim with bright clear optics boasting the durability of scopes costing much more. Built to withstand the rough outdoors, the Plinker-22 Riflescope is waterproof, fogproof and shockproof. With fully coated optics, a 30/30 reticle, included 3/8" dovetail rings and scope caps, Plinker-22 is simply the best value you could aim for! All the details: Magnification: 3-9x; Objective lens: 32 mm; Waterproof / fogproof; 30/30 reticle; Exit pupil: 10.7-3.6; Fully coated optics; F.O.V.: 36' @ 100 yds. (3x); 13' @ 100 yds. (9x); Eye relief: 3 1/2"; Click value: 1/4"; Side adjustment windage and elevation; 1" tube diameter; Black matte finish; 11 1/2 ozs.; 12"l.; Mounting rings, lens covers and lens cloth included; Limited lifetime warranty.; Order yours today! WARNING: This item cannot be shipped to Canada. Please check your State, County and City laws for restrictions before ordering this product. Barska 3-9x32 mm Plinker-22 Reticle Scope with Rings Adjustment knobs offer solid, satisfying 0.25-inch click adjustments, and the shooter can fine-tune for windage and elevation. The Plinker-22 is one of BARSKA's most popular riflescopes, and is engineered specifically for use with .22 rifles and rimfires. Designed for plinking and general hunting applications, this scope offers bright, sharp optical clarity, longterm durability, and 0.375-inch dovetail rings as an added bonus. Built to withstand the rugged outdoor conditions most hunters face, its casing is 100% water-, fog-, and shock-proof. Features Designed specifically for use with .22 rifles Water-, fog-, and shock-proof Fully multicoated optics Adjustable for windage and elevation Parallax-free at 50 yards Black matte finish 0.375-inch dovetail rings Includes mounting rings, lens covers, and lens cloth Specifications 3-to-9X magnification 12-inch tube length One-inch tube diameter 32-millimeter objective lens 30/30 reticle 10.7-3.6-millimeter exit pupil 3.5-inch eye relief 36-foot field of view at 100 yards at 3X magnification 13-foot field of view at 100 yards at 9X magnification 0.25-inch click value 11.5-ounce weight Warranty This BARSKA optical product includes a limited lifetime manufacturer's warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. About BARSKA BARSKA is a worldwide optics company offering an extensive line of precision sport and scientific products including binoculars, riflescopes, spotting scopes, telescopes, and microscopes. The company's product lines are designed and built with the latest optical technology, allowing users to enjoy beloved outdoor activities even more, and achieve exacting results when studying objects large and small. Features
|
 |
1.5X Large Bar Magnifier with Aqua Guide - 9 inches
Sale Price: $14.95 |
DescriptionPlace it flat side down on any reading material and the highlighted line that runs through it will help you focus and keep your place should you look away from your reading. Features: Features
|
