So you want to get involved in astronomy? How do you choose a telescope? What do I need? These may be questions that you have asked yourself prior to purchasing a beginner telescope and you may have searched the internet or the library for what to get to begin your search of the celestial body.

Beginner telescopes are important decision since making the wrong choice may lead to a lack of interest in astronomy. While you may see a variety of telescopes as you leave the store, making your choice in choosing a beginner telescope should be an educated one and not spontaneous to avoid making the wrong choice and thus losing interest and wasting money.

Beginner Telescopes

Choosing a telescope is a difficult process for the novice and if you do not make the right choice you may lose interest or worse your child may lose interest in the whole process. Choosing a telescope that allows for optimal viewing of celestial bodies and entering the amazing world of astronomy is an important step since putting too little money or too much money into the process. Since knowledge is important in choosing I suggest that you research your product and understand what you want to view in the night sky.

Telescopes are a semi-expensive investment, while low-end telescopes are available they may not provide you with the astronomical view that you hope for, thus for a little more money you could be impressed with the results. Making the choice of course is based upon what you can afford and what your level of interest, also if you are purchasing for a child or yourself.

Children are fickle and may lose interest and you would be selling your beginner telescope on EBay or in a yard sale if they lose interest quickly, especially if the results of the viewing of stars are less than stellar; so make the choice wisely and you could be upgrading to a bigger telescope

Beginner telescopes choice is an important step for budding astronomers and thus making the choice in telescopes for yourself or another in your family a step that could make or break you, choosing based upon research and perhaps the skills of others interested in astronomy can become instrumental in your choice of telescopes. Whether you choose a high end, medium priced or low end telescope is a personal choice and only you can make that choice.

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• Collects 60% more light than a typical 60mm beginner’s telescope
• Red-dot finder makes it easy to find things in the night sky
• Observe the Moon, planets, star clusters, even some nebulae and galaxies
• Table-top base can be easily mounted on a tripod with a 3/8″ screw
• Lightweight, compact design lets you take FunScope anywhere
• 12.5mm and 6mm eyepieces provide a variety of magnifications
• Moon filter increases contrast of Earth’s natural satellite for detailed views
• 5×24 finderscope makes it easy to aim the FirstScope
• Included CD-Rom gives you all the resources you need for a well-prepared stargazing session
• Pack everything up in the Nylon Carrying Bag for convenient transport
• Optical Design: Achromatic Refractor Optical Diameter: 60mm Focal Length: 350mm Focal Ratio: f/5 Maximum Useful Magnification: 200x
• Features of Meade ETX-60 AT Go To Computerized Telescopes: Internal flip-in Barlow lens 12V DC servo motors w/encoders Electric Slow Motion controls, 9-speed, both axes Bubble level/ compas
• Free Planetarium Software Includes Meade #494 Autostar with 9-speed controller and automatic GO TO capability to any of over 1400 celestial objects
• Meade ETX60 Telescope Package Contents: Meade ETX-60-AT Achromatic Refractor 494 Autostar Computer Controller Three Eyepieces 45 degree erecting prism Aluminum Tripod Back pack
• 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, StarBright XLT high transmission coatings come standard
• StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
• Quick-release fork arm mount, optical tube and accessory tray for no-tool setup
• SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects, making for a fast and easy alignment process
• Nearly 40,000-object database with 200 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
• Slow-motion control rod
• Newtonian reflector scope
• 2 eyepieces (35x and 70x)
• Adjustable tripod
• German equitorial, CG-2 mount

The Celestron FirstScope Series of telescopes is designed with the first-time telescope buyer in mind. Offering exceptional value, these scopes feature compact and portable designs with ample optical performance to excite any newcomer to the world of amateur astronomy. Each telescope has its own design characteristics to help you choose which is best for you. The smaller FirstScopes feature refractor optical designs while the larger apertures feature Newtonian reflector optical systems.

The FirstScope 76 is a fine instrument for the beginning observer. It offers many of the advantages of the Newtonian design at a 3″ aperture. The superb optics of this telescope offer dazzling images of the moon; Saturn and its rings; Jupiter, with its belts and moons; and hundreds of deep-sky objects, including galaxies, nebulae and star clusters. The optical tube is glossy black. This model uses the German equatorial mount with setting circles and slow motion controls on both the right ascension (R.A.) and declination (DEC.) axes. These features make it easier to locate and track objects.

While observing, you’ll notice that as the earth rotates on its axis, stationary stars appear to move across the sky. Thus, due to the earth’s rotation, the object you’re viewing will drift out of view in both axes, over time. A telescope on an equatorial mount can be aimed at a celestial object and guided with the slow motion controls to follow the object across the sky and keep it in the field of view of your telescope.

FirstScope 76 EQ Specifications:

• 76mm (3″) Reflector
• 700mm Focal Length, f/9
• Equatorial Mount with Setting Circles and Slow Motion Adjustment Cables
• Sturdy Adjustable Aluminum Tripod with Accessory Tray
• Telescope Weight: 15 lb.

FirstScope 76 EQ Standard Accessories:

• 1-1/4″ 20mm (35x), 10mm (70x) Eyepieces
• Star Pointer Finderscope
• Equatorial Mount
• The Sky L1 CD ROM

Moon viewing 101
The moon is often one of the first celestial objects a beginner will look at through his or her telescope. Here are a couple hints for you once you get your hands on your new FirstScope 76.

Often, it is tempting to look at the Moon when it is full. At this time, the face we see is fully illuminated and its light can be overpowering. In addition, little or no contrast can be seen during this phase. One of the best times to observe the Moon is during its partial phases (around the time of first or third quarter). Long shadows reveal a great amount of detail on the lunar surface. At low power you will be able to see most of the lunar disk at one time. The optional Reducer/Corrector lens allows for breath-taking views of the entire lunar disk when used with a low power eyepiece. Change to higher power (magnification) to focus in on a smaller area. Choose the lunar tracking rate from the NexStar’s MENU tracking rate options to keep the moon centered in the eyepiece even at high magnifications.

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