small scope section

chris shaw · Post by **chris shaw** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 11:18 am

We should have a dedicated section for small scopes - like 3-4 inch reflectors, refractors and catadioptrics. Granted some of us have 8 to 10 inch light buckets but many still enjoy collecting fossil light in small grab-n-go scopes.

Chris

Grievous · Post by **Grievous** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 11:20 am

Hrmm, i have a 4.3" rafractor. Does that make it a small scope or a moderate scope??

Charlie

chris shaw · Post by **chris shaw** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 11:41 am

Small. An 8 inch scope can be thought of as the smallest of large scopes or the largest of small scopes. For this section, I think the former should apply. So a small scope should be anything smaller than 8 inches. (although a 7 inch mak WEIGHS like a large scope)

For a start: I have been looking for 'a list of BEST OBJECTS to see for small scopes' for a friend who just bought a second hand 4.5 inch Newtonian reflector but cannot really find such a website. Anyone has any idea whether such a list exists?

Chris

harlequin2902 · Post by **harlequin2902** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 1:20 pm

Anyone has any idea whether such a list exists?

For the Singapore context, Singastro members would have no problems generating such lists. Maybe we can combine all our personal "Top 20" lists and come up with a "Top 50" or "Top 100"

But a more general guide on what you can see with a small telescope is in the form of this book called "Turn Left at Orion".

MooEy · Post by **MooEy** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 1:32 pm

hmm.. dunno how u guys classify scopes. i guess transportation plays a big part here. whether u have a car affects ur view completely.

personally i dun think aperature is the onie consideration. a 4inch f/10 refractor is way too big to be even consider small, but it's onie 4inch in terms of aperature. an 8 inch sct may sound big in terms of aperature but it's really small, light and easily portable.

for me(no car T.T) small and portable means refractor 3inch and below, focal length less than 600mm. for cassegrain, it must be 5 inch and below. most newts doesn't fit into small scope.

~MooEy~

chris shaw · Post by **chris shaw** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 2:26 pm

Regarding scope sizes, sorry 'small' means specifically - 8 inch below for reflector and catadioptric but for refractor - lets say 4 inch and below? I am not talking about weight here, but 'small' in terms of aperture.

Turn Left at Orion is a good book. But what I was looking for was a list and what it looks like thru our Singastro small scopes.

Chris

Post by **weixing** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 6:48 pm

Hi,
To me, any scope that can be move around and setup by one person is consider small... any scope that can be move around, but cannot be setup by one person is consider a mordate size and any scope that cannot be move will fall under the large scope category....

By the way, small to me doesn't mean small to you... Size are relative and everyone has their definition. So as long as you are happy with your scope, who care about whether it is small or large....

Quasar · Post by **Quasar** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 8:15 pm

Haha, this discussion is repeated by all astro groups, recall seeing a similar thread in Cloudy nights. Most of us have several differing criteria
1. Size (BLH)
2. Aperture (The OTHER size)
3. Portability

So... like weixing says... SIZE is relative? Sounds like some other male discussions we have from time to time eh? =P

Oh btw, weixing, u dun happen to work at nokia wheelock do u?

chrisyeo · Post by **chrisyeo** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 9:26 pm

chris shaw wrote: I have been looking for 'a list of BEST OBJECTS to see for small scopes' for a friend who just bought a second hand 4.5 inch Newtonian reflector but cannot really find such a website. Anyone has any idea whether such a list exists?

Chris

Hi.

I'm curious about your friend's 4.5" newtonian. Can I ask where is it from and how much your friend spent?

I'm considering investing in a 4.5" celestron newtonian from the states as well, but the shipping is a killer.. any help?

Post by **weixing** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 9:41 pm

Hi,
Have you try the Astro Scientific Centre... It may be cheaper than get one and ship from oversea... Also you can check the optics first and ensure that the scope is in good quality...