The Five Cardinal Rules

1. Never buy a "Department Store Refractor".

2. The best telescope to buy is the one that will be used.

3. Never buy a "Department Store Refractor".

4. A telescopes' use is inversely proportional to its size.

5. Never buy a "Department Store Refractor".

Characteristics of a Telescope

Types of Optics

• Refractor
• Reflector
• Compound
• Aperature

The diameter of the lens or primary mirror. Determines how much light is gathered and the amount of detail seen.

Mounts

• Altitude-azimuth
• Equatorial

Type of Optics

	Refractor Most expensive per inch of aperature. Best views of planets, moons and sunspots. Direct view of astronomical objects Prone to chromatic abberation
Reflector Least expensive per inch of aperature. Works best with an alt-az mount. A good all-around telescope. Some models require accurate colimation. May require periodic cleaning of mirror and re-aluminizing
	Compound Schmidt-Cassigrain or Maksutov-Cassegran Very compact Works well with an Equatorial Mount Best for astrophotography. Mirror moves as telescope is focused, may cause mirror shift Secondary mirror obstructs 20-30% of light path

Types of Telescope Mounts

Altitude-Azimuth "Alt-Az" or "Dobsonian". Very simple and sturdy. Requires hand guiding to follow an object. find objects by star-hopping.
	"Dobsonian" mounts Easy to setup Easy to Point Inexpensive

Equatorial Telescope will follow an object. Must be aligned with Polaris to work. (Northern hemisphere) More expensive and not as sturdy. Photography

Binoculars

• Two refractors connected together.
• Less expensive than telescope.
• Described in terms of magnification X aperture in centimeters.
• Look for 7X35, 7X50, or 10X50.
• Can be used for activities other than astronomy.

Some Specific Recommendations

Under $200

• Bushnell 7X35 Binoculars - About $150.00.
• Orion 7X50 Explorer - $200.

Around $300

• Meade Starfinder about $320.
  • 6 inch reflector
  • Easy to setup and use.
  • Alt-Az mount
  • Get the $50.00 accessory package which includes 2 additional eyepieces.

• Edmund Astroscan about $315.
  • 4 inch reflector
  • Durable and easy to use.
  • Ideal for very young children.

Under $600

• Meade ETX 90mm Maksutov-Cassigrain about $595.
  • Lightweight (about 9 lbs)
  • Clock-drive
  • Alt-Az Mount
  • Can be used for terristrial viewing (optional)

Around $1000

• Celestron C5+ about $1199
  • Schmidt-Cassegrain compound optics.
  • DC RA Drive and Hand Control
  • Table-top equatorial mount.
  • Compact and portable.
  • Tripod costs around $289