With a spotting scope can you see the moon and stars real good?

Comments

1. David says:

   May 8, 2010 at 4:14 am

   A spotting scope is an acceptable way to introduce yourself to amateur astronomy. You will get nice views of the moon and be able to see more of the stars. A pair of binoculars may be a better way to go. You don’t need a tripod to use them like a spotting scope needs. The most recommended size is 10 X 50.
2. Geoff G says:

   May 8, 2010 at 4:48 am

   Spotting scopes are designed for low magnification views of terrestrial objects. They don’t do well when you try to point them at objects high in the sky. You will do better with binoculars (low power) or a proper astronomical telescope (high power).

   Here are a few web pages with good information on beginner’s telescopes:
   http://www.gaherty.ca/tme/TME0702_Buying_a_Telescope.pdf
   http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html
   http://observers.org/beginner/j.r.f.beginner.html

   For more advanced information, read Phil Harrington’s Star Ware, 4th edition (Wiley).

   You’ll get the greatest value for your money with a Newtonian reflector on a Dobsonian mount, such as these:
   http://www.telescope.com/control/category/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes/~VIEW_INDEX=0/~VIEW_SIZE=1000000
   http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/swtinc/product.php?class1=1&class2=106

   Buy from a store which specializes in telescopes and astronomy, either locally or online; don’t buy from department stores, discount stores or eBay as mostly what they sell is junk. Find your local astronomy club and try out different telescopes at one of their star parties:
   http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations