Think I may get a decent scope!!

Hey all, just looking into a used but loved AT102ED for about $800. Decent buy? Do any of you like Astro-Tech?

http://www.cloudynight​s.com/item.php?item_id​=1748

Thank you Chris! I'm actually going to buy it off of there. Now, if only I can have some good clear skies. Seems like we've had nothing but rain here lately.

You should try living in the UK, we have redefined cloudy!

The AT102 is a nice scope and will work well with the 40D I would think.

chris.bailey wrote in post #7948272
You should try living in the UK, we have redefined cloudy!

Tell me about it! I've only actually seen the stars twice in the last month!

Elizabeth,

It doesn't stop at the scope. More importantly is the mount, especially if you are going to do astro imaging. Tracking, guide scope, ccd camera, electric power not to mention an observatory and a host of other bits and pieces.

There are two main forums for astro. One is the US based cloudynights.com, the other is UK based stargazerslounge.com. Both have members from all around the world.

Clear skies.

John

John

John, I've already had a CG-5GT mount for a little bit over a month. I'm excited because it means I will be a little bit more mobile than my previous set-up. I will actually be able to use my car for power, rather than be very limited to what floats through the small narrow gap above our house. Kind of already knew what kind of scope I wanted, just waited for the opportunity. I used to teach an astronomy night lab at my Alma Mater about 10 years ago, but we had several Schmidt-Cassegrains, including a C-5 orange tube, a C-8 orange tube and an LX-200. I used to cart around the C-5 in my old Dodge Omni in the middle of the night away from the city so I could find different objects. That mount was not powered, but I loved getting out and looking for faint fuzzies. I was able to regularly find the Ring Nebula with it, even though it is a pretty small object. I've belonged to cloudynights for a while, along with a DSLR astronomy group on Yahoo. I know that this isn't top of the line equipment like many others that are here, but I think I will be pleased. Considering that the following image was done using a mini-GEM clamped onto an old TV stand that would take me up to an hour to drift align, I don't think I should have too many troubles!

Peerie wrote in post #7957559
Elizabeth,

It doesn't stop at the scope. More importantly is the mount, especially if you are going to do astro imaging. Tracking, guide scope, ccd camera, electric power not to mention an observatory and a host of other bits and pieces.

There are two main forums for astro. One is the US based cloudynights.com, the other is UK based stargazerslounge.com. Both have members from all around the world.

Clear skies.

John

John

U K Astro Imaging Forum too!

Ahhhhh........ The scope will be here on Tuesday!!! I'm sooooo excited. It also will have a Tak diagonal. Hubby is starting to get interested, so I think I'll start out just visual to allow myself to learn it, and show off the night sky to said hubby. He's never looked through a scope, and since he teaches a physical science class at his high school, he mentioned about incorporating a "star night" for his kids when teaching them about the solar system. I'm definitely cool with that!

drevilsmom wrote in post #8191853
Ahhhhh........ The scope will be here on Tuesday!!

Expect a couple more weeks of rain then.

Adrena1in wrote in post #8199452
Expect a couple more weeks of rain then.

Yeah, we've had a dry spell for a while with decent skies, BUT they are now forecasting rain for the rest of the week. It's ok, though, 'cause we need the rain desperately.