SingAstro

Although astronomy has always fascinated me, my connection with this field has been largely restricted to watching planets and constellations that can be seen with the naked eye and easily identified without much knowledge of astronomy (eg. Venus, Mars) and watching eclipses with pinhole cameras. I have always wanted to go a bit further but could not figure out where to start.

I would like to have a telescope of my own. I would be happy to build one myself if it is not much complicated and if there are shops in Singapore selling components. Other option is buying a readymade telescope. What I am looking for is a telescope good enough to view - craters of the moon, Jupiter's moons, Saturn rings (if possible). My questions are -

1. What are the possible options of telescope that meet my requirements?
2. Would appreciate references of websites giving basic information about telescopes.

3. How easy (or difficult) is it to build a telescope? Where can I find shops that sell telescope components. (Lenses, mirrors etc)?

Appreciate your responses. Thanks

Hi & welcome!

1. Start by reading the 'Astronomy FAQ / Articles' and 'Reviews' on this forum.

2. See 1. Join us for the next Singastro Sidewalk event, use and observe with our scopes, and ask more questions there.

3. For small scopes, it may be probably cheaper to buy a 2nd-hand scope than to build it. There are no local shops selling mirrors & parts, though occasionally these may be available on 'Buy & Sell'. I build scopes because I enjoy designing and making scopes which meet my specific criteria which may not be available in commercial scopes. 2nd-hand scopes are usually in good condition and value-for-money scopes worth considering. You can find them under 'Buy & Sell'. It is best not to rush into buying a scope until you have tried using some scopes first.

Hi and welcome to the forums! Lots of great people here so just ask away!

Can't give much advice on the DIY side of things as I'm still planning to start my first one...which won't be very soon...lol! However, the fundamentals come from using commercially available scopes. Thru this learning, DIY will be easier once the understanding of the mechanics are clearer!

As for scopes, I will agree with Croy on the end of one's availability for the hobby. Remember, it's a hobby and what you eventually purchase should be Fun and not a burden financially or because it's not the norm. A pair of Bino's is a good start (thats how I began during my school days) and it will be by your side for as long as the hobby last! I still use my bino's everyday either together with my scope (for searching), when night skies are cloudy (almost every night) and when I'm too tired to set everything up (most of the time).

A visit to an Ob session or to AstroScientific at the Science Centre will definately give you an idea of size and set up. If your funds can afford it, then go nuts! If not, don't be tempted to overspend or cut yourself short from the enjoyment. Agree with croy that there are many good and useful scopes of small size but the mounts are left much to be desired. A good mount (which can cost) and some good eyepieces are areas which one can spend on as they can be used with any set up. Get a small mount, and when you do upgrade to something bigger, it can't take the load! Consider a 2nd hand mount as there are some good deals here.

Yes the light polluted skies will make seeing difficult, especially nebulae's. Star clusters are nice to look at and there are many! Also if you wish to Ob from home (eg: balcony/window) unless your view isn't hindered and on a high floor, you can see lots when they rise higher up away from the polluted skies. But there is only a small window of opportunity. Outdoors is the best, and this is where one needs to consider his/her kit for grab and go. Do you wish for a easy to carry Alt-Az (lighter) tripod mount or EQ mount (heavier, though lighter ones can carry small light scopes)? How would one pack it all together? Lots of planning and alot of spending again..haha!

All scopes will allow you to see lots in the night sky! Good Optics help but if your a visual only type user, then color and 'Razor sharp' isn't a big deal eventually. And when you do finally get one, resist the temptation to jump to a larger aperture just because you want to see more and wish you did so by buying scope 'x'. The craving for more is a human habit that can lead to an empty pocket..lol! Besides, with mostly cloudy and polluted Sg skies, even an 8inch can't view much. A Newtonian scope is a good buy and has a nice price tag though!

There are many ways to have fun with any scope...it's yours and only you can find and create that fun! Trying to navigate with star charts, or just skimming the skies exploring....it's all possible. There will also be limitations with each set up but they can always be overcome if we see beyond them. Allowing it to be an excuse to get something better is a flaw!

The scope you use the most is always the best scope. Though I have an 8" and 80mm refractor, I use the Bino's the most in average!
Lastly, the best scope of all?.....hmmmm.......The eyes!

Have Fun!

bharat wrote:3. How easy (or difficult) is it to build a telescope? Where can I find shops that sell telescope components. (Lenses, mirrors etc)?

Firstly, welcome to the forum bharat and thank you Stuart for the compliments [again].

What is the reason for wanting to build your own telescope? If it is to save money, then like rlow has said, you can get good second hand bargains for smaller scopes in the Buy & Sell folder without having to spend an arm and a leg.

If it's because you simply like to DIY, then like what Timatworksg has said, experience from using commercial scopes will help you better understand the mechanics and hence be more successful in your attempt to build one.

But most importantly, do not rush to buy a scope after this!

Amateur Astronomy is really fun if you take time to read up about it. You don't need very expensive instruments. In fact a good (and big) binoculars is a good start.

We are fortunate to have lots of stuff in our skies because we can see both the northern and southern hemisphere skies. And the night environment is not cold.

Unfortunately our skies are cloudy most of the time. So you need to look out for clear skies.

Recently I was in Europe and I managed to get myself a big binoculars 15x70. Even though it was cloudy, the weather changes fast...and after dark, the sky cleared up. It was really cold outside...imagine 3 degrees C.
But the sky was clear. I could see a galaxy. Something I never managed to do back here due to light pollution and hazy skies.

Anyway, hope you enjoy this hobby

Oh yeah I started off with binos too when I was six. However TS has stated he wants a telescope to observe Moon craters, Jupiter's moons, Saturn's rings. While a bino is good to start off with, it does not meet TS's objective adequately for visual gratification. And a reasonably good 2nd-hand small scope for beginners need not cost much more than a bino, eg, look at the recent ads for C90 & ETX90.

rlow wrote:Hi & welcome!

1. Start by reading the 'Astronomy FAQ / Articles' and 'Reviews' on this forum.

2. See 1. Join us for the next Singastro Sidewalk event, use and observe with our scopes, and ask more questions there.

3. For small scopes, it may be probably cheaper to buy a 2nd-hand scope than to build it. There are no local shops selling mirrors & parts, though occasionally these may be available on 'Buy & Sell'. I build scopes because I enjoy designing and making scopes which meet my specific criteria which may not be available in commercial scopes. 2nd-hand scopes are usually in good condition and value-for-money scopes worth considering. You can find them under 'Buy & Sell'. It is best not to rush into buying a scope until you have tried using some scopes first.

Hi all,
Thanks for all your responses.

Joining the Singastro Sidewalk seems to be a good idea. I would ideally like to see and view through the member's telescopes to get first hand experience before I buy mine. Can you tell me when and where is the next sidewalk scheduled or is this information posted some where on the forum?