Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Buying, & Using Telescopes and Accessories

434 Pages·2002·3.59 MB·English

by  Philip S. Harrington

STAR
WARE
The Amateur Astronomer’s
Ultimate Guide to
Choosing, Buying, and Using
Telescopes and Accessories
THIRD EDITION
Philip S. Harrington
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
For my daughter, Helen, the star of my life
This book is printed on acid-free paper. A
Copyright © 2002 by Philip S. Harrington. All rights reserved
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York
Published simultaneously in Canada
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ISBN: 0-471-41806-4
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
Preface to the Third Edition v
Acknowledgments vii
1 Parlez-Vous “Telescope”? 1
2 In the Beginning ... 9
3 So You Want to Buy a Telescope! 23
4 Two Eyes Are Better Than One 53
5 Attention, Shoppers! 79
6 The “Eyes” Have It 181
7 The Right Stuff 211
8 The Homemade Astronomer 283
9 Till Death Do You Part 321
10 A Few Tricks of the Trade 341
Epilogue 364
Appendices
A. Specs at a Glance 365
B. Eyepiece Marketplace 383
C. The Astronomical Yellow Pages 391
D. An Astronomer’s Survival Guide 409
E. Astronomical Resources 411
F. English/Metric Conversion 415
Star Ware Reader Survey 417
Index 421

Preface to the Third Edition
If the pure and elevated pleasure to be derived from the possession and use of
a good telescope...were generally known, I am certain that no instrument of
science would be more commonly found in the homes of intelligent people.
There is only one way in which you can be sure of getting a good telescope.
First, decide how large a glass you are to have, then go to a maker of estab-
lished reputation, fix upon the price you are willing to pay—remembering that
good work is never cheap—and finally see that the instrument furnished to you
answers the proper tests for telescopes of its size. There are telescopes and
there are telescopes...
With these words of advice, Garrett Serviss opened his classic work Pleasures
of the Telescope.Upon its publication in 1901, this book inspired many an arm-
chair astronomer to change from merely a spectator to a participant, actively
observing the universe instead of just reading about it. In many ways, that
book was an inspiration for the volume you hold before you.
The telescope market is radically different than it was in the days of
Serviss. Back then, amateur astronomy was an activity of the wealthy. The
selection of commercially made telescopes was restricted to only one type of
instrument—the refractor—and sold for many times what their modern
descendants cost today (after correcting for inflation).
By contrast, we live in an age that thrives on choice. Amateur astronomers
must now wade through an ocean of literature and propaganda before being
able to select a telescope intelligently. For many a budding astronomer, this
chore appears overwhelming.
That is where this book comes in. You and I are going hunting for tele-
scopes. After opening chapters that explain telescope jargon and history,
today’s astronomical marketplace is dissected and explored. Where is the best
place to buy a telescope? Is there one telescope that does everything well? How
should a telescope be cared for? What accessories are needed? The list of ques-
tions goes on and on.
Happily, so do the answers. Although there is no single set of answers that
are right for everybody, all of the available options will be explored so that you
can make an educated decision. All of the chapters that detail telescopes,
binoculars, eyepieces, and accessories have been fully updated in this third
edition to include dozens of new products. Reviews have also been expanded,
based on my own experiences from testing equipment for Astronomy maga-
zine as well as from hundreds of comments that I have received from readers
around the world!
v
vi Preface to the Third Edition
Not all of the best astronomical equipment is available for sale, however;
some of it has to be made at home. Eleven new homemade projects are out-
lined further in the book. The book concludes with a discussion of how to care
for and use a telescope.
Yes, the telescope marketplace has certainly changed in the past century
(even in the four years since the second edition of Star Warewas released), and
so has the universe. The amateur astronomer has grown with these changes to
explore the depths of space in ways that our ancestors could not have even
imagined.
Acknowledgments
Putting together a book of this sort would not have been possible were it not
for the support of many other players. I would be an irresponsible author if I
relied solely on my own humble opinions about astronomical equipment. To
compile the telescope, eyepiece, and accessories reviews, I solicited input from
amateur astronomers around the world. The responses I received were very
revealing and immensely helpful. Unfortunately, space does not permit me to
list the names of the hundreds of amateurs who contributed, but you all have
my heartfelt thanks. I want to especially acknowledge the members of the
“Talking Telescopes” e-mail discussion group that I established in 1999. A great
group that I encourage you to join. I also want to thank the freewheeling spirit
of those who participate in the sci.astro.amateur Internet newsgroup. This
book would be very different were it not for today’s vast electronic communi-
cations network.
I also wish to acknowledge the contributions of the companies and deal-
ers who provided me with their latest information, references, and other vital
data. Joe O’Neil from O’Neil Photo and Optical in Toronto, Canada, and Frank
Mirasola from Astrotec in Oakdale, New York, deserve special recognition for
allowing me to borrow and test equipment.
As you will see, chapter 8 is a selection of build-at-home projects for ama-
teur astronomers. All were invented and constructed by amateur astronomers
who were looking to enhance their enjoyment of the hobby. They were kind
enough to supply me with information, drawings, and photographs so that I
could pass their projects along to you. For their invaluable contributions, I
wish to thank P. J. Anway, James Crombie, Chris Flynn, Dave Kratz, Ghyslain
Loyer, Kurt Maurer, Randall McClelland, Ed Stewart, Dave Trott, and Glen
Warchol.
I wish to pass on my sincere appreciation to my proofreaders for this edi-
tion: Chris Adamson, Kevin Dixon, Geoff Gaherty, Richard Sanderson, and my
wife, Wendy Harrington. I am especially indebted to them for submitting con-
structive suggestions while massaging my sensitive ego. Many thanks also to
Kate Bradford of John Wiley & Sons for her diligent guidance and help.
Finally, my deepest thanks, love, and appreciation go to my ever-patient
family. My wife, Wendy, and daughter, Helen, have continually provided me
with boundless love and encouragement over the years. Were it not for their
understanding my need to go out at three in the morning or drive an hour or
more from home just to look at the stars, this book could not exist. I love them
both dearly for that.
vii
viii Acknowledgments
You, dear reader, have a stake in all this, too. This book is not meant to be
written, read, and forgotten about. It is meant to change, just as the hobby of
astronomy changes. As you read through this occasionally opinionated book
(did I say “occasionally?”), there may be a passage or two that you take excep-
tion to. Or maybe you own a telescope or something else astronomical that you
are either happy or unhappy with. If so, great! This book is meant to kindle
emotion. Drop me a line and tell me about it. I want to know. Please address
all correspondence to me in care of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street,
Hoboken, NJ 07030. If you prefer, e-mail me at [email protected]. And
please check out additions and addenda in the Star Ware 3.5 section of my web
site, http://www.philharrington.net. I shall try to answer all letters, but in case
I miss yours, thank you in advance!