moonbus53 Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Can anyone out there help - I've just bought my other half a much wanted telescope for his 50th but he will probably need a little help and guidance as he is a complete novice.We are near St Jean D'Angely (17) just now but will be going further south to Dordogne/Lot border are in April.Any help would be appreciated. [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 There are a few posts here to get you started: http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/576666/ShowPost.aspxhttp://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/738257/ShowPost.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Loads of websites out there about astronomy and not all of them require you to be a heavyweight mathmatician. The NASA website is superb as is www.astronomy.comOne of the best things you can get (if you don't have it already) is a Sat Nav as it is essential that you know your exact position on the Earth's surface before you begin to find objects in the sky. The next thing to get is a hat as it gets bloomin' cold in the middle of the night, even in summer, on a clear night. Doubly so if, like me, you OH is follically challenged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterG Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 [quote user="moonbus53"]Can anyone out there help - I've just bought my other half a much wanted telescope for his 50th but he will probably need a little help and guidance as he is a complete novice.[/quote]Try looking up at the sky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 There is plenty of information on the web if you google 'beginner astronony' or whatever and plenty of forums where you can ask questions e.g.http://www.astrocentral.co.uk/http://www.maidenhead-astro.net/beginner.htmhttp://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/telescopes/messagesGetting to grips with a telescope can be a little daunting at first. I never got past the experienced beginner stage myself but can help with setting the scope up etc. PM me if you have any problems. RegardsMr Cat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deimos Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 http://www.popastro.com/phpBB2/index.php – is an excellentforum. Has many experienced people andspecific section for beginners (plus other more advanced sections, etc.)Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deimos Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Another thing to consider is some planetarium software(basically star maps on you computer). Thereare some really good Open Source and Freeware applications around. Of course you can buy them or might have gotsome free with the telescope (some manufactures do e.g. Celestron). There are free programs around for manyplatforms including Mac’s (so being non-Windoze is no excuse). Interestingly some of the best is French(with English versions available but written by French people) – e.g. Cartes duCiel. I find them exceptionally useful as you can print out timespecific star maps. A few weeks ago Icould not locate a star I had to find because I could not sort out itsconstellation. Went inside (losingnight vision), checked on my planetarium software and there was a planet in themiddle of the constellation which was messing-up the layout of everything. Once I knew where the planet was I found itfine. That is something that printedstar charts (e.g. Norton’s) do not include (Planet positions).Another thing he might find helpful from the forums is“expectations” – what he can expect to see. Many beginners tend to look through their new telescopes expecting tosee beautiful red clouds, or for Jupiter’s red spot to be massive. Some things are quite difficult to see evenwhen pointing the telescope directly at them. apart from the fact I find them boring, I have great difficultyrecognising Open Clusters. Globularclusters are easier (and more fun). Fora lot of deep space stuff high magnifications are a waste of time. You can see M31 (the Andromeda Galaxy) withthe naked eye (better and clearer and see more through a telescope at lowmagnification though).Sorry – I’ve waffled-on excessively.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deimos Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Also consider joining a local club. French are quite active in Astronomy. Check http://astrosurf.com/clubs/ any itwill tell you your local clubs (assuming you live in France).(I’ll shut-up” now)Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonbus53 Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 Thanks to all for all the advice, websites and comments - even the cheeky one (it made me chuckle).All we need now is a clear night - it has been cloudy every night since the thing arrived - then he can get started! Moonbus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-cat Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 [quote user="moonbus53"]Thanks to all for all the advice, websites and comments - even the cheeky one (it made me chuckle).All we need now is a clear night - it has been cloudy every night since the thing arrived - then he can get started! Moonbus[/quote]Ah - that's where the Cloudy Nights website comes in :http://www.cloudynights.com/Seriously - you can learn a lot from reading other peoples experiences and what to buy and not buy!Clear skies Mr Cat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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