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Thread ID: 64752 2005-12-26 10:42:00 telescope recommendations DangerousDave (697) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
415844 2006-01-04 10:14:00 But maybe it is better to buy something cheap in case it is a passing fad instead of new hobby.Good idea in principle, but the danger is that you have a bad experience because it is cheap and wobbly, which puts you off what can be an interesting, educational and entertaining hobby. Tony (4941)
415845 2006-01-04 19:42:00 Is there some observatories I could visit when I go to South Island?
There is one in Christchurch somewhere and one in Tekapo but whether they are open to the public I am not sure. I know the one in ChCh has tours available during Kids Fest in the winter but have no idea about other times.

Pretty useless information I know, but it might get you started on researching it and making enquiries yourself. Someone else may also know more.
FoxyMX (5)
415846 2006-01-04 20:59:00 www.tekapotourism.co.nz

www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz

Trevor :)
Trev (427)
415847 2006-01-04 23:56:00 There are Astronomy societies in quite a few places. The Canterbury one has its own observatory at West Melton.

The magnificent 19th century brass Cooke telescope is in the dome above the old University ("Arts Centre") in Hereford St. I'm not sure if there are observing sessions organised for it.
Graham L (2)
415848 2006-01-05 03:18:00 Here's the Townsend (www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/townsend.shtml) Observatory. Graham L (2)
415849 2006-01-07 19:56:00 A Meade LX200 GPS etc 10 inch (or bigger) would be just fine, except you firstly must take into account the weight of just the telescope. Fitting a 10 inch > to its tripod is not an easy task for just one person. That is unless U are a junior form of a superman/supergirl.

Save your money - forget about department store telescopes - U WILL be dissapointed.
curly (6655)
415850 2006-01-07 20:21:00 Meade, one of the best telescope makers, has a NZ agent. I forget their company name, but you can find it on the meade site, www.meade.com, look for international dealers or agents - but dont expect to find any for just a few hundred dollars. Meade will provide the nz agents email and they will send you a price list quickly.

In this case size really does matter!
curly (6655)
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