Hello,
Here is my 2c on the various topics and stargazing in general. This email has gotten lengthy, but I hope it is worth the read. As others have said, the telescopes you described will probably only be good for the moon. You will probably not be able to see a lot of detail on Jupiter or Saturn. However, even with an enormous telescope you will not be able to see a "lot" of detail in anything.
My first recommendation then is to look through some other telescopes before you buy so you know what to expect. You can do this at public star parties, but private parties are better because you can ask questions and get some personal help. John and Lisa throw some good ones. Or just arrange with some people on this group for some scope time. I would be happy to show you my 4.5" Orion dob sometime so you could get a feel for what it is like and what you can see with it. I think it is a great starter scope. Unfortunately the party season is pretty much over. I would suggest sticking with your 60mm and binoculars until spring when you can try out other scopes. Also a lot of the scopes at the parties will be way bigger than you need. It is nice to look through them to see what the difference is, but spend time with the smaller ones since these are more likely to be what you are looking for and will use.
Second, do some reading and general stargazing (with your eyes) to become familiar with the sky and constellations if you are not already. I bought my first telescope a year and a half ago and was frustrated at first because I couldn't find anything. Once I bought a book (I got Turn Left at Orion) and a star atlas (Sky Atlas Deluxe 2000) I began to become more familiar with finding my way around the sky. This general star gazing can be supplemented with binoculars. With binos, you will not see any detail on the planets (they will still be small dots), but you can find some star clusters and comets. You can also spot Jupiter's 4 brightest moons.
While I am on the topic of binos, let me give you my take on them. Binos are no replacement for a good telescope. On the other hand, they can be a lot of fun. I have a 10x50 pair which I used to do the Astronomical League Binocular Messier list (see my third item next) and a 15x70 pair I picked up later. It is hard to hold binos steady for any length of time (especially larger ones) and bino tripods will cost you more than your binos. I mostly use them for quick looks at things such as star clusters or just to look at the moon. They also come in handy for projecting the sun for scout groups and my kids. You are also welcome to use my binos to see how they are and what you can see.
Third, have a plan when you take your telescope out. There is a saying, "If you don't know where you're going, you'll probably end up somewhere else." You will use up a lot of time trying to find things and deciding what to find if you do not have a plan. This is frustrating. Decide on a few objects that you would like to hunt down - perhaps 10. If you find them all and still have time, great! If not, that is OK, too. There is always the next time. For each object, do a little research on what you will be seeing. This will help you to appreciate what you are looking at. Most people are underwhelmed the first time they see things through a telescope because they are not Hubble-quality or 3D images. Also, plan how you are going to find the objects (using your atlas or whatever). This will maximize your time at the eyepiece looking for subtle detail in what you are viewing.
Fourth, after you have viewed the objects you can think of or which have been recommended to you to help you learn how to use your scope, I would suggest starting an observing program from the Astronomical League. They help to teach you about what is out there. If you decide that the particular one doesn't interest you, you can always bail on that one and start a new one. My first was the Moon, and I highly recommend it because most can be done with binoculars and a small(er) telescope (probably even your 60mm). It also only took me 1 month to complete. Others are more difficult (the Messier list took me about 8 months).
Anyway, I hope this information is useful. If you have any more questions just ask, and I'm sure you'll get more information than you can handle. :)
Aaron
> -----Original Message-----
> From: uvaa-bounces+aaron.lambert=williams.com(a)mailman.xmission.com
> [mailto:uvaa-bounces+aaron.lambert=williams.com@mailman.xmissi
> on.com]On
> Behalf Of J Waterreus
> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 4:38 PM
> To: Utah Valley Astronomy Association
> Subject: [UVAA] binoculars vs. telescopes?
>
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> Over the past several years, we've purchased two telescopes for our
> daughter that haven't been very good and have caused more frustration
> than enjoyment. We are now in the process of trying to sell them and
> buy something she can use and enjoy. We had thought we might get
> astronomical binoculars, but we're also not sure if this is the best
> decision. We're wondering if we should try for our third
> telescope, and
> hope we get it right this time! So, if any of you have any opinions
> about all this, I'd love to hear from you! Does anyone have
> binoculars
> that are designed for astronomical use? If so, do you like them, or
> not, and why? If anyone would like to suggest a telescope,
> or features
> of a telescope, that we should look for, I'd love to hear about that
> also. Our daughter is14 years old. She wants something that will
> enable her to see the planets (and have them look like more
> than just a
> star!), but at the same time, we want it to be simple enough
> to use that
> she won't get frustrated. Please feel free to share your
> opinions and
> experience with me! Thanks so much.
>
> Dottie
>
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>
I am reading reports that this comet is easy to find
with binoculars (and telescopes of course).
Looks like its orbit will place it at very high
declinations. Should be a nice treat this holiday
season (maybe try your new scope you are getting for
x-mas?)
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/comets/article_1396_1.asp
for more charts, check
http://encke.jpl.nasa.gov/charts.html
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Jupiter Occultation Reappearance at 2:45 AM tonight.
We won't see the disappearance but the reappearance
will be visable if you can find a low eastern horizon.
I'll make the trip up Emigration canyon to the Little
Mountain parking lot but I plan to view through the
windshield with binoculars........ with the engine
running. Brrrrrr.
DT
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