Stargazing - How does it make you feel?

[pijavier]

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Rodsky, how much would a descent telescope cost nowadays and where can you source them?

[rodsky]

Rodsky, how much would a descent telescope cost nowadays and where can you source them?

"Decent" is a very broad term bro. I mean, when we built our telescope (categorized as a Dobsonian reflector), our total cost siguro was less than 8k. Yet, "beginner" commercial scopes out there, refractors pa nga (I don't like refractors esp. the cheaper ones, terrible spherical aberration...you get a lot of lightbending, rainbow-ing), already cost over 15k!!! I know how to build telescopes.

If you want a really rewarding, instant set up reflector or cadiatropic, brands like Celestron and Meade, you need a minimum of like PHP 60,000.00 for the whole setup (including the mount, autofinder/locator and motors), probably even more. If you REALLY have this sort of cash lying around, I suggest you get in touch with the Astronomical League of the Philippines members, because they can help you get one locally. Pero if I had this sort of money, I'd rather make my own one via parts I'd buy off Amazon.com or Ebay.com.

-RODION

[andch81]

MAKE ME FEEL RELAX

[geoseph]

Don't worry geoseph, with all our busy schedules, basig dili pa ni ma-set up by the time you get here lol I'm not saying it's impossible, it's just that it's hard to set aside a good chunk of time for amateur astronomy, I know this for a fact. I'm trying not to be pessimistic, but I'm trying to temper my attitude by being realistic.

-RODION

"Decent" is a very broad term bro. I mean, when we built our telescope (categorized as a Dobsonian reflector), our total cost siguro was less than 8k. Yet, "beginner" commercial scopes out there, refractors pa nga (I don't like refractors esp. the cheaper ones, terrible spherical aberration...you get a lot of lightbending, rainbow-ing), already cost over 15k!!! I know how to build telescopes.

If you want a really rewarding, instant set up reflector or cadiatropic, brands like Celestron and Meade, you need a minimum of like PHP 60,000.00 for the whole setup (including the mount, autofinder/locator and motors), probably even more. If you REALLY have this sort of cash lying around, I suggest you get in touch with the Astronomical League of the Philippines members, because they can help you get one locally. Pero if I had this sort of money, I'd rather make my own one via parts I'd buy off Amazon.com or Ebay.com.

-RODION

Thanks Rodion.

I already have me a pair of middle-line second-hand binoculars (I wish it was a Fujinon ... Haay gyud). I'm contemplating of building perhaps a reflector with some help from members of ALP. The budget is around 5T, especially if I order with me buddy from eBay at the same time from the same source to cut in half the delivery cost (planning of using Johnny’s as the courier). This will include a 5" Meade primary (not in the best though decent enough shape), a secondary, and a Rini (24 mm or 30 mm). I'm deferring the purchase until I join up with ALP (for the first time) in their next stargazing meet this late Feb to drool at their equipment and get ideas on construction, storage, and transportation (I'd still love to hear your tips).

I want to eventually stay in Cebu. However, my activities here would be good preparation. Maybe I can join the astronomy club when it starts, and be like a contact person here in the meantime or whatever contribution I can give.

[rodsky]

Thanks Rodion.

I already have me a pair of middle-line second-hand binoculars (I wish it was a Fujinon ... Haay gyud). I'm contemplating of building perhaps a reflector with some help from members of ALP. The budget is around 5T, especially if I order with me buddy from eBay at the same time from the same source to cut in half the delivery cost (planning of using Johnny’s as the courier). This will include a 5" Meade primary (not in the best though decent enough shape), a secondary, and a Rini (24 mm or 30 mm). I'm deferring the purchase until I join up with ALP (for the first time) in their next stargazing meet this late Feb to drool at their equipment and get ideas on construction, storage, and transportation (I'd still love to hear your tips).

I want to eventually stay in Cebu. However, my activities here would be good preparation. Maybe I can join the astronomy club when it starts, and be like a contact person here in the meantime or whatever contribution I can give.

Great James has been inviting me to join ALP pero I still can't commit as of this time. Funny that, Christopher Go is here in Cebu (our very own discoverer of the "Red Spot Jr." on Jupiter), yet there's NO amateur astronomy club here. I think it's because he might be too busy to head one himself (but he did start the USC Astronomical Society, but I have no idea if that group still exists nowadays). Which sets a good stage for us try to take on the challenge

-RODION

[geoseph]

Great James has been inviting me to join ALP pero I still can't commit as of this time. Funny that, Christopher Go is here in Cebu (our very own discoverer of the "Red Spot Jr." on Jupiter), yet there's NO amateur astronomy club here. I think it's because he might be too busy to head one himself (but he did start the USC Astronomical Society, but I have no idea if that group still exists nowadays). Which sets a good stage for us try to take on the challenge

-RODION

Great! In whatever way I may be of help (remotely as of now), count me in.

[sunbeam1983]

Out of this world!....

[pijavier]

"Decent" is a very broad term bro. I mean, when we built our telescope (categorized as a Dobsonian reflector), our total cost siguro was less than 8k. Yet, "beginner" commercial scopes out there, refractors pa nga (I don't like refractors esp. the cheaper ones, terrible spherical aberration...you get a lot of lightbending, rainbow-ing), already cost over 15k!!! I know how to build telescopes.

If you want a really rewarding, instant set up reflector or cadiatropic, brands like Celestron and Meade, you need a minimum of like PHP 60,000.00 for the whole setup (including the mount, autofinder/locator and motors), probably even more. If you REALLY have this sort of cash lying around, I suggest you get in touch with the Astronomical League of the Philippines members, because they can help you get one locally. Pero if I had this sort of money, I'd rather make my own one via parts I'd buy off Amazon.com or Ebay.com.

-RODION

Awesome advice bro. Glad to have met someone who knows telescopes. I was just researching on the web and i agree.
I might have to put that on que for now because i have yet to start on an airsoft hobby.

But i used to do a lot of stargazing back then, when Cebu was less chaotic and when open grounds were still abundant.

[123456]

stargazing with your boo.. wow!! so romantic..

[rodsky]

I might have to put that on que for now because i have yet to start on an airsoft hobby.

I just took a "vacation" from airsoft myself BTW, my fascination with optics and telescopes actually helped airsoft once...kasi I didn't have a sniper scope, and at one time I owned an M14. So I made one (complete with crosshair bro...I actually used REAL HAIR, my own hair haha) using an old pair of binoculars. I was too shy to bring it to a game kay basig kataw-an ko (hihihi) but it was really good, sayang I left it back in Iligan eh

Here are images of it...

[img width=500 height=375]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/rodsky/ersop/Dscn0352b.jpg[/img]

Here is the cross hair...
[img width=500 height=375]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/rodsky/ersop/rodsky_diyscope_phase2_010.jpg[/img]

...an actual "crossed hairs"! I used my own hair and some superglue

[img width=500 height=375]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/rodsky/ersop/rodsky_diyscope_phase2_003.jpg[/img]

-RODION