Looking at a telescope....need help.

[beam]

Anyone who knows something about telescopes...amateur astronomy...I have a question.

Now, I am no NASA scientist, Carl Sagan, Tom Kaye. I just love to look at the stars. I have 3 kids and one due in 2 weeks, and I am getting my oldest....who is 6, totally hooked on looking up at night. He can point out Mars, Big Dipper, and Cassiopia.

As a family Xmas present, I am considering getting a telescope. I saw an ad in the back of Popular Science for this one:
http://www.meade.com/catalog/etx60-70/index.html
I would be looking at the ETX-60AT. Now, is this overkill for a first time buyer or what. They run around $300 and here is what the ad says:

Let Meade ultra-high-resolution optics take you on an automatic guided tour of the heavens. The rings of Saturn, the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, or any of 1400 other celestial wonders stored in the Autostar hand contoller's database. Select an object, press GO TO, and watch as the ETX-60AT moves to the object, places it in the field of view, and tracks it across the sky--automatically, first time, every time!

Anyone know if it is really that easy...any help would be great.

Thanks all.


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Intricate are you among the masses.... PAX217

[MagMan5446]

Yes...it really is that easy.

[Army]

Not sure if Tom will agree, but the Meade line is the finest for amateur stargazing. If you can afford it, get at least the 6", but better is the 8". The 10" is very nice but large $ for backyard stuff. The 6" can also be used for terrestrial viewing. Checking out birds over a mile away is too cool!

Not 100% on it, but I think the Shumaker-Levy comet was found with a Meade 10".

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http://www.mpz.co.uk/cwm/contrib/blackeye/linkcoolMIR.gif Got Elves?

[beam]

well, i did a little looking around and i found this deal:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/photo/B00005ATSR/tech-data/ref=e_de_a_td/104-5663767-2686366

AT AMAZON.COM of all places! 269.00 for the ETX-70AT with tripod... if you search ETX-70AT on ebay, they are going for 275.00.

if i remember correctly, didn't tom attend a meeting with NASA to discuss putting an amateur telescope on the ISS?

also, how do i know what size the 70AT is? if you look at the specs, it says tube diameter is 3.6in. but then it lists primary aperture and focal length as 70mm and 350mm. so is this a 3.6 in telescope?

[Paintballer86]

My school has about 4 of these things. They are really cool. I would suggest getting one. Really sharp, clear, picture, and it is user friendly.
Good luck in 2 weeks
http://www.automags.org/ubb/smile.gif


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If you run, you will only be marked tired
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/Paintballer86/image001.gif

[This message has been edited by Paintballer86 (edited 08-26-2001).]

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yeah....thanks http://www.automags.org/ubb/smile.gif

[cphilip]

Yes... I have a Meade. Can't remeber the model but Great scopes.

[Dogbone]

Here is something of interest to you stargazers.

Yesterday there was an X5 class solar flare. The resulting coronal mass ejection should be hitting Earths magnetosphere about midnight tonight, maybe a little later. There is a possibility of seeing aurora borealis if you are north of 45* geomagnetic latitude. For more info go to;

www.spaceweather.com (http://www.spaceweather.com)

[Yama]

The EXT telescope is not overkill, the computerized part of it, is that easy. I would spend the same amount of money and get a larger telescope.

[AGD]

Beam,

I have three Meade scopes a 4", 10" and their top of the line 16". They are decent for the money but do not represent a lifetime investment if you get one less than 8". If you know your way around the skies the money you spend on the computer control would be better spent on a bigger scope. With an 8" you can see things much clearer and fainter than with the ETX. Your very best bet is to find out where there is a star party in your area, go there and buy something used. Star parties are all about letting strangers look through your scope. Go try a bunch before you decide.

AGD

[beam]

Hey thanks. I bet the university of northern iowa has a space club or something like that. i'm not too far away from there. i never figured i would be able to try one out...but now that you mention it, I will definately look into it before i put the money into one.

thanks again