Expert: Jayendra Upadhye - 8/30/2004

Question
Hi,
What telescope do you recommend?
I have $400.
Thanks.
Mike.

Answer
Hi Mike,
First and foremost recommendation is..
DONT THROW ALL THAT MONEY AWAY IN A HURRY!
And I am not Jesting.
I sensed a note of urgency in your question, and that is the time when people need to be told to hold their horses!
Especially when they know "how much of it they are WILLING to spend".
First of all make sure what you want and are ready for.
You see, if you are a beginner, a simple pair of binocs would do great.
Once you are sure you can find your way around in the maze of stars and constellations out there, you may then go in for a telescope of moderate power (magnification less than 100x).
The reason is that the higher the magnification, the dimmer the objects appear to the viewer. Also the faster they scurry across the field of view. (due to the earth's rotation. So often high magnification Telescopes require complicated "Tracking" mounts, and camera attachments that allow prolonged exposure times.

Also, if you are a beginner, DO NOT GO for any L SHAPED telescope, where the eye piece is at right angles to the main telescope tube. Because, "finding" your target would be one hell of a job then.

My suggestion is, go in for a moderate magnification telescope with a low magnification Barlow piece attached. That helps you to first look thru it and locate your target, then go to the high power eye piece and see the real thing. (the the real thing could well be invisible due to the great magnification involved and could be captured only on prolonged camera exposure!).

Looking to all these pitfalls, spend your money wisely, and dont worry if some people might laugh at you for having the money and NOT spending it.

You could split the sum and spend it in two stages. First spend on a very cheap and inexpensive one and familiarize your self with all the pros and cons involved.

Then spend the remaining big chunk on a good model that supports CCD image capture. These images can be processed using computers, and enhanced to some extent.

I am not aware at all of the prices as in india we never get access to things as you have in the USA.

But my advice should prove helpful under all circumstances, for beginners.

Do ask me if any more clarifications are required, and do consult your elders, as any youngster handling that kind of money is well advised to do so.
Jayen