starting off

I'll second everything the guys said.

My first forays into astronomy were a very long time ago but I made a fatal mistake all of those years ago. I bought a 'cheap' and nasty telescope. Which in fact was the best part of 300quid back in those days. At first I couldn't understand why I saw so much more in my existing 10 x 50 binoculars until I joined a club and unfortunately found out my 'fancy' telescope was really a piece of rubbish. I went back to using the binos to learn my way around the sky until I finally bought a proper telescope. At that stage I was far better equipped (experience wise) to use the scope to best effect.

I hope my own story illustrates why any sensible astronomer will recommend binoculars to a budding astronomer. If the interest takes off expect to pay about €500 for a pretty decent telescope. All you will get for under €200 is a toy.

When you get to the telescope stage look at a 'dobsonian' design of about 8 inches aperture.

Don't forget that naked-eye comets resolve much better at 10x50 as do some other objects. I even saw the Great Orion Nebula clearly one night while staying in the mountains in northern Italy. It was small but colourful.

Hi guys, thanks! That's all great advice Much appreciated.

All the best, Shane

I'll third (or fourth, not sure...) what the guys above said Shane. A decent pair of binos is the way to go. Like Mike said, if they show an interest after they get the binos, then you can move on to proper dark sky exploitation with a telescope (maybe a 4.5 to 6 inch reflector).

As an addendum to the binocular suggestion, try to get them something to relax in, like those fold-up camping chairs you will see in Dunnes Stores now and again, or any decent camping shop. Comfort is important with binoculars, due in part that if you are standing for a while (like 20 minutes) whilst holding binos and scanning the heavens, you'll get a crick in your neck and tired arms! Plus, they have a cup holder for that camping cup of hot tea!

Seanie.

il 5th or 6th the binos after everyone previous. when i started i had to rush out and get as big a scope as i could afford, it got very little use, and still doesnt get much use, but my cheap 20 quid binos and a star atlas get used whenever there's a clear spot in the clouds. binos are great. if you want to spend a bit of money, get a good tripod for the binos, you can also use it of you have a camera so it should get lots of use.