Zhummell Eclipse Telescope

[Bruce M]

Hello everybody. I recently got for Christmas the zhummell eclipse 114mm(4.5") reflector telescope and want to say that I think it is a great telescope, if a bit unstable on the tripod. My parents bought it for me while I was looking for a serious hobby to get me out from in front of the computer all night.

If anyone is looking for a low cost very good reflector, this is a great choice. I live in New York and with the background light it's a miracle I see anything let alone saturn and the king himself (whom I saw a few nights ago for the first time with 3 clear moons and a possible fourth dim light just above it) Jupiter.

I saw Jupiter at about 1:30 AM EST rising fast in the east. It was a beautiful sight dispite not being able to see the cloud formations (it just snowed here so there's been a perpetual mist in the air clouding everything, even the moon).

I am posting here to ask what I should do next. After seeing Jupiter (my whole goal since getting the scope)I am hooked on astronomy and want to know if anyone has any suggestions for a next scope oe accessories. At $200 from opticplanet.com the scope was very good but I want more. What should I look at next. My budget will likely be about $500 but I may spring for more.

I was looking at schmidt cassegrain and looking for a no frills one. I don't need that little star finder, unless you guys think it's worth it. I do go camping but haven't yet this year and our next big trip with the boy scouts will be to the forests of Marshal's Creek Pennsylvania in march where I hope to see a lot more.

Bottom line. What should a kid on a budget get to help improve the scope(barlow lenses or anything) and what should I look for next(6'/8" inch reflector or dobsonian, 8 inch schmidt, etc.) Something that I can bring with me in a 31 foot travel trailer so it has to be portable.

Scope stats follow: zhummell eclipse 114mm yellow filter (I haven't been able to find where it screws in, though it will easily just sit on the lense.)

9mm lense, 20mm lense 90 degree erecting prism (love seeing the moon the way it should be seen, not upside down AND inverted and I can see saturn nicely with it too).

Thanks for the help.

[philip d]

Aperature always wins, but have to decide whats portable etc, 10 inch Dob is great but might be abit heavy, ... I currently use the Orion Skyquest 8 inch Dob, just big enough to pull in some details and brighter Deep Sky, these cost just over $350.. Maks and Cassegrains tend to have nice resolution but can be abit pricy, money will get more size on the Dob..