Newbie to astro here....

[DotDotDotZ]

Hi,
I am a newbie to astronomy. Need some help here.

Own a Celestron Powerseeker 76 (3 inch Newtonian), so far used it to see the Moon and Mars? (An Orangey Object with no feature?). Hmmm.....can anyone comment on my telescope?

How to identify a star constellation and some Messier Objects? Even with a star map, I will also get pretty confused.

If I were to upgrade my telescope, can anyone recommand me a better telescope. Currently, I am eyeing on a Celestron 6 inch Dob but I do not know how much it cost. I have a pretty tight budget as I am still schooling.

Thanks for the help given

[weixing]

Hi,

Own a Celestron Powerseeker 76 (3 inch Newtonian), so far used it to see the Moon and Mars? (An Orangey Object with no feature?). Hmmm.....can anyone comment on my telescope?

Mars is one of the most difficult planet to observe and you need higher magnification to see easily.

How to identify a star constellation and some Messier Objects? Even with a star map, I will also get pretty confused.

What star chart are you using?? Currently, the easiest constellation to start with is Scorpius and it got a few easy to identify M object in it. Try to look for it at the western sky when the sky is clear during early evening.

If I were to upgrade my telescope, can anyone recommand me a better telescope. Currently, I am eyeing on a Celestron 6 inch Dob but I do not know how much it cost. I have a pretty tight budget as I am still schooling.

The problem with dob is bulky and sometimes heavy unless you get those very good design (and expensive) dob. A Sky-Watcher 6" Dob offer from Mcgill ( http://www.mcgill.com.sg/shop/product_i ... 43310beab6 ) will cost around S$800 and a GSO verson offer by persid will cost around that price. Or you can try the Sky-Watcher/Orion 127 MCT... I think one of the most common 5" scope in Singapore, so you might be able to get a good used one at a good price.

Have a nice day.

[DotDotDotZ]

What star chart are you using?? Currently, the easiest constellation to start with is Scorpius and it got a few easy to identify M object in it. Try to look for it at the western sky when the sky is clear during early evening.

Me using the chart at skyandtelescope.com

Mars is one of the most difficult planet to observe and you need higher magnification to see easily.

I used a 4mm eyepiece + 3x barlow (525x power) to view mars. The result is pretty disappointing and the image is moving so fast and it got out from my view very quickly. Maybe my telescope isn't good enough to see mars....

The problem with dob is bulky and sometimes heavy unless you get those very good design (and expensive) dob. A Sky-Watcher 6" Dob offer from Mcgill ( http://www.mcgill.com.sg/shop/product_i ... 43310beab6 ) will cost around S$800 and a GSO verson offer by persid will cost around that price. Or you can try the Sky-Watcher/Orion 127 MCT... I think one of the most common 5" scope in Singapore, so you might be able to get a good used one at a good price.

Maybe I will try to shop around first, hopefully can find some good bargains. I don't really mind the heavy weight on the dob, as long as is within my ability to carry out.

I haven't actually got a chance to deploy my current telescope outdoors yet, most of the time I am just observing from my window. Still trying to search for a suitable spot to observe. So far I have seen Moon, Mars and many stars which I don't know which star constellation is under. Haven't found any Messier Objects. Pretty disappointing for me.

Anyway, Thanks for your help

[kayheem]

It's pretty tough to find things yourself if you are a newbie. Join an observation group with your scope and they can teach you how to recognize the constellations, locate objects and most of all, how to get the most out of your scope.

Kay Heem

[weixing]

Hi,

I used a 4mm eyepiece + 3x barlow (525x power) to view mars. The result is pretty disappointing and the image is moving so fast and it got out from my view very quickly. Maybe my telescope isn't good enough to see mars....

That's too high for your scope. Try using only the 4mm eyepiece which is 175x... although still a bit too high for your scope, but I think it should be OK if your scope collimation is on. That is common if you use a non-tracking or Alt-Az mount at high magnification. Try to find M6 and M7 at Scorpius... remember to use the lowest power eyepiece.

Don't be disappointed, just keep trying... patient and experience is the key. After you find your first object, it'll be easier to find the next object.

Happy hunting and have a nice day.

[DotDotDotZ]

It's pretty tough to find things yourself if you are a newbie. Join an observation group with your scope and they can teach you how to recognize the constellations, locate objects and most of all, how to get the most out of your scope.

Are there any observation group in the eastern part of singapore?

[Airconvent]

It's pretty tough to find things yourself if you are a newbie. Join an observation group with your scope and they can teach you how to recognize the constellations, locate objects and most of all, how to get the most out of your scope.

Are there any observation group in the eastern part of singapore?

ha ha..you were "talking" with him! none other than Singastro Tampines Obs Manager, Mr Yang Weixing You are lucky as he is very hard core and is the most active obs manager in singastro! Do join him and he will be able to help you kick off on basic constellation recognition.

And I DO emphasise to read up the FAQ on singastro as they contain the bare info needed for you to kick start the hobby.

Also, for a 76mm scope, about the max usuable mag you can get is around x100 although your theoretical rule of thumb max is around x140.
forget about those x500....those specs are used to con ignorant buyers.
At x100 you will be able to see alot of stuff. You need higher mostly for planets.

enjoy and welcome to singastro..

rich!

[wAi_kiT]

haha... do let me know if you're meeting him some day yeah ? Because i seriously need someone to guide me!
=)

[Airconvent]

haha... do let me know if you're meeting him some day yeah ? Because i seriously need someone to guide me!
=)

check out the obs forum here. every Sat evening, if the sky is clear, he will make an announcment on obs session and you can join him then...

rich

[chrisyeo]

Hi,
I am a newbie to astronomy. Need some help here.

Own a Celestron Powerseeker 76 (3 inch Newtonian), so far used it to see the Moon and Mars? (An Orangey Object with no feature?). Hmmm.....can anyone comment on my telescope?

Hi DotDotDotz... Welcome!

Mars is a really tough object to view and it really just is an orangey object, even in my 3.5" scope. Don't worry, you can still learn how to maximise your scope in time, and there are lots of things you can see with your scope. There are many experienced people here who can help you learn the sky and about scopes.

How to identify a star constellation and some Messier Objects? Even with a star map, I will also get pretty confused.

The first thing you might want to start with is maybe a planisphere, which allows you to identify constellations. You can get a free one online but I don't have the link now to one that can be used in our latitudes. You could also download a free planetarium software (http://stellarium.sourceforge.net/index.html) to help you learn the sky. You can also check out this site that gives an intro to our skies (http://web.singnet.com.sg/~ngkguan/astro10.htm) Best of course is if you join an astronomy club or join us if we have an observation session.

If I were to upgrade my telescope, can anyone recommand me a better telescope. Currently, I am eyeing on a Celestron 6 inch Dob but I do not know how much it cost. I have a pretty tight budget as I am still schooling.

Don't think about upgrading your scope until you know a lot about telescopes. You'll be able to discover many things with your 3". Make sure you see and use the telescopes that others have before deciding. Patience is always rewarded.

Best regards!
Chris