Meade Autostar
Does anyone know if the Meade 4.5 Telestar Telescope with Autostar is a good telescope to see anything good?
I’m studying astronomy and would like to be able to see stars, planets, maybe nebulas. I would like to find these things from my apartment, but i’m afraid the city lights will block my good view. I would like a telescope that can work from the city.
Unfortunately, if you live within a large city, most nebulas and galaxies will be drowned out by the light pollution.
If you can actually open a window and take the screen off, or take your telescope outside, you may be able to get some fairly decent views of planets. You’d be best getting a telescope that you can easily load into a car and take someplace dark. Even going to the suburbs or in some instances, just to a park, will give you a lot more visibility.
So is the Meade 4.5 Telestar a good telescope?
Well it’s an honest to goodness serious beginner telescope. With the right eyepiece and viewing conditions, you will be able to see some clouds bands on Jupiter, along with it’s moons, and you will be able to see the rings of Saturn. You may also make out some detail on Mars. The images will be tiny though. You will be able to see the Orion nebula, and, if you don’t look directly at it, the ring nebula. You will also be able to make out M31, just barely M104 if you know what to look for, and maybe, under very dark skies, a few other galaxies. They won’t look spectacular though. You will also be able to see a few nice star clusters.
HOWEVER…
This telescope sales for between $150 and $298. If you intend on spending $150, I’d say it’s a good buy. If you intend on spending $200 or more, I’d say you can get something better.
For about $240 you can get a 6″ Celestron StarHopper. This will outperform the Meade 4.5 Telestar. It is a simple dobsonian without Autostar, but you will be able to see more with it and it will be easier to set up and transport.
You can get one from http://www.telescopes.com
Demonstrating the Meade Autostar Handset
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