The key in buying a telescope is aperture size and making sure that the opening of the telescope is as large as possible. Discover how the ability of a telescope to gather light results in a better image with help from an astrophotographer in this free video on astronomy and telescopes....
To get started in learning how to observe the stars much better, there are some basic things we might need to look deeper, beyond just what we can see with the naked eye and begin to study the stars as well as enjoy them. The first thing you need isn't equipment at all but literature. A good star map will show you the major constellations, the location of the key stars we use to navigate the sky and the planets that will appear larger than stars. And if you add to that map some well done introductory materials into the hobby of astronomy, you are well on your way. The next thing we naturally want to get is a good reflector telescope. You may have seen a hobbyist who is well along in their study setting up those really cool looking telescopes on a hill somewhere. That excites the amateur astronomer in you because that must be the logical next step in the growth of your hobby. But how to buy a good reflector telescope can be downright confusing and intimidating.
Like so many other amateur astronomers in the UK, I was inspired by Sir Patrick Moore, host of the BBCs the Sky at Night television programme. Amazingly, Sir Patrick is still presenting the show today, being its original creator and only host since 1957. I gave up astronomy once I tried to make a career of it by starting a PhD, and found that professional astronomy is incredibly boring. I ran away to join a software house, and never looked back. Occasionally I still miss those peaceful nights of my youth, but working on software is much warmer. Read more
Few Telescope brand names bring forth such romanticism as the Unitron name. It was the telescope to have in the 1950s through 1960s. Every budding astronomer from the era poured over the Unitron ads and contemplated their eventual purchase of one of these fine instruments. Read more