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Re: What does it cost for a newcomer to astronomy?

Subject: Re: What does it cost for a newcomer to astronomy?
From: "Bill"
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2005 23:52:01 GMT
Newsgroups: sci.astro.amateur
Mark Holden's posting was a tad pessimistic, in my view.  $10,000 will buy
you a TEC 140 APO (that's a very-high-end 5.5" apochromatic refractor), an
excellent Losmandy G-11 mount for it, a high-end diagonal, and several
high-end eyepieces.

That is exactly the set-up I would buy right now -- if I could afford it.

I have observed with a TEC 140 APO, and it provided the best images that a
telescope can provide -- for its aperture.  And 5.5" of apo aperture would
keep me happy for a lifetime.  Look through a TEC 140 APO sometime under a
dark sky, and you will (probably) understand what I mean.

Bill


"Mark S. Holden" <mark@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eJ6dnTd8nq1ijXnfRVn-rQ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

> I prefer triplet apochromatic refractors.  They have no central
> obstruction, they tend to come in F ratios that make them reasonably
> compact, and the image quality is stunning.
>
> Unfortunately, on sale, an 80mm f6 apo tube will run about $1400.  Then
> you'll need to allow money for the mount, a good diagonal, and
> eyepieces.  This could easily put you in the $5000 range.
>
> An apo refractor in the 4.5" range will probably run about $10,000 by
> the time you're done with accessories if you do everything first class.



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