Telescope Tips

Once you’ve decided to take a deeper dive into astronomy and are in the market for a new or improved telescope, use this primer below to make the best of your stargazing:

Binoculars first: Don’t jump right into telescope use; instead, feel your way through the sky using a pair of binoculars. This also allows you to observe all the basic star phenomena at a fraction of the price.

Realistic expectations: A good telescope will allow you to see all the planets in the solar system, as well as stars and deeper sky objects. But in all cases but the moon, detail won’t be terribly crisp—not when you’re used to seeing Hubble Telescope images and the like.

Cool down: In Florida, there are plenty of dark sky locations, and the state is known for good “seeing (atmospheric) conditions.” But remember to let your telescope adjust from indoors to outdoors with a cool-down period (15 minutes to an hour), otherwise your images will be distorted.

Power down: Although high magnification helps discern detail once an object in the sky is located (moon crater details once you’re pointed at the moon, for example), low magnification (30x to 50x) generally makes it easier to find sky objects and is where most observation occurs.

Performance: The three most important aspects of telescope performance are optical quality, mount and eyepiece.

Vendors: Three trusted names in telescopes are Meade, Celestron and Orion.

GOTO: Telescopes with built-in GOTO locators (like a GPS for stars) are recommended beginning only at the $500+ range. And keep in mind that much of the joy of stargazing is locating at least some sky objects yourself!

Where to buy: It’s common sense advice, but to ensure quality parts and craftsmanship, it’s best to buy from a store or website dedicated to telescopes.

Budget $400: This minimum investment for a quality telescope should get you a 6-inch Dobsonian telescope, one additional eyepiece and an excellent astronomy guidebook, like NightWatch by Terrence Dickinson.

• Crosby Observatory (Orlando)

• Eastern Florida State College Observatory (Cocoa) (Friday and Saturday nights)

• Embry Riddle Creekside Observatory (Daytona Beach)

• Kissimmee Park Observatory

• Radio Jove Observatory, University of Florida (Gainesville)

• Robinson Observatory, University of Central Florida (Orlando): Knights Under the Stars, 8:30pm on Wednesdays or Thursdays when school is in session

• Rosemary Hill Observatory (Bronson)

• Star Fields Observatory (Chiefland)

• Teaching Observatory, University of Florida (Gainesville)

Check It Out!

There’s more to the starry sky than what can be seen at observatories and planetariums. Florida has several impeccable dark spots open to anyone with a telescope, binoculars or merely a pair of eyes. Here’s a primer:

• Biolab Boat Ramp, Canaveral National Seashore (Titusville)

• Chiefland Astronomy Village (Chiefland): This collective of stargazers has created one of the best amateur locations in the state, hosting monthly “star parties” and/or “new moon weekends.”

• FarrOut “Observatory” (Dade City): Absolutely the friendliest of all amateur sites, FarrOut boasts hilarious rules of conduct and snacks like the world famous Foo (chili) Dogs.

• Withlacoochee River Park (Brooksville): Otherwise known as the gathering spot for the St. Petersburg Astronomy Club.

Want to Know More? › D’Auria’s Ocala Star Observatory › A clear sky chart that is a “weather forecast” for stargazing, updated daily › cleardarksky.com/c/DrOcObFLkey.html?1

You Don’t Need a Telescope!

For many of the major astronomical phenomena, you only need your eyes to observe. For instance, for any one of the many meteor showers, follow a few basic tips: Get out of the city to a place where artificial lights won’t impede your viewing. (Check floridaastronomy.weebly. com/dark-sites for an animation of the best dark sky sites in Florida.)

During a shower’s peak, you don’t need special equipment, only your eyes.

Bring a blanket and chair for comfort, as stargazing takes patience. And once the show begins, you won’t want to go home until it is over. Make note of the weather forecast, as well as times for moonrise and moonset, to prepare properly for your gazing. A nice guide for viewing planets, stars and constellations at different times of the year—by naked eye or telescope—is at earthsky.org/tonight.

Want to Know More? › Jason Higley’s Florida Astronomy › floridaastronomy.weebly.com

Joe Roberts’ Amateur Astronomer’s Notebook › rocketroberts.com/astro/ aan.htm

Hope for those living with—or worried about developing—