10" Reflector for a New Astronomer!

[Allisha F]

I recently ordered a 10" reflector and i was wondering if anyone has any general advice to get me started.

ANY help would be greatly appreciated ^_^

[Scott M]

welcome to the forums... there a great bunch of guys on here and helped me no end when i first started...

Like u i am also very new to this but im sure the guys on here will gladly help u out

ps... lucky sod 10inch reflector.... i want one! lol

[philip d]

I would suggest a book covering the Night Sky, Planets easy even city viewing, Deep Sky will need a darker site, Messier objects among the best to check out..

10 inch is an excellent size to pull things in, abit large for me as lean more towards portable, tho do have the XT8 8 inch Dob..50 Lbs..

Best observing todate was past encounter w/Mars, have to wait for exceptional sky experience, Rare times details were amazing, requires lots of patience..viewed 3 months for only a few days of clarity, but very rewarding...

[philip d]

Last among the most popular beginner books is Turn Left At Orion, I don't have this one but response has been favorable, at Amazon....

[stagdgreat]

The main thing is to get outside with your telescope and explore the night sky. Be patient and just enjoy yourself.

It does help to have an idea of what you want to observe. Too often people buy a telescope, they look at the moon, and then point it at the stars randomly, and soon feel like there is nothing too see. As mentioned, a good book on obseving the night sky is a good place to start.

Another idea would be an astronomy magazine. For beginners I really like "Night Sky - Backyard Astronomy for Everyone".

Another tool that I like is SkyTools. It is a software program that allows you to prepare obseving lists and print out charts for finding the objects on your list.

Enjoy your new scope. With 10" you should have some really nice views!!

[admin]

Congrats on your purchase!
My most ardent advice to you is to enjoy this entryway into the great universe above you
The second most important piece of adivce to adhere to is that things in the sky do NOT look like they do in books or magizines. The planets come the closest as they have some color to them.
The more you use the scope and become familar with its motions, views and the like, the more you will get out of this hobby.
Keep the scope in "tune" (Columnated/clean lenses and the like)and it will give you a lifetime of great views. This size scope is great on just about all objects; but particularly on Deep Sky Objects.

[Gamma986]

I find winstars 2 a great help in astro planning, and planetarium for the palm pilot when actually viewing. Helps me find good targets to look for. Sometimes I even find them

Cheers

[Michael Steen]

I have a little "nuts and bolts" advice. The remark on proper collimation is very important--keep your scope aligned well, and it will serve you much much better.
Also, when I recently bought my 10", I didn't realize that "stiction"--the tendency of the scope to move in fits and starts while you're pushing it around--is as big an issue as it is. Start by collecting empty milk jugs and cutting about 3" washers out of the plastic. Drill a hole through the middle, and mount as small stack of these between the base and the rotating mount above it. They reduce the drag on the azimuth motion of the scope, and nearly eliminate stiction.
Also, if you're going to be observing near you house or a source of electrical power, get a long extension cord and a cheap hair dryer! No one ever told me how much of a pain dew can be, but after 15 minutes of observing, everything clouds over for me and I'm done. The hair dryer, set on low and blown on dewy elements from about 6" away, solves the problem beautifully and cheaply.
Happy viewing!!
Finally, invest $40 in a Telrad finder. I bought one at the same time as my scope, and it's a godsend! It projects 3 concentric red circles at infinity on the night sky. Once you've aligned it properly (pretty simple to do on the full moon), whatever you put in the center circle is in your eyepiece. I cannot overemphasize how incredibly easy and quick it is to find things and put them in the scope with this device. Best $40 you can invest on your 1st accessory.