I just got a telescope as a gift. Would I be able to see planets, comets, galaxies, black holes ect...?

Question

Its a Meade DS-2080-LNT(80mm Altazimuth Refractor) Refracting Telescope? And not just a dot in the sky I'm talkin about detailed images like the rings on saturn and comets tails ect...

TY

Answer 1

This is a good scope even though it is very small.  I recommend that you join your local Astronomical Society or astronomy club.  You will be able to take your scope to star parties and the members can show you the treasures in the night skies.  They can help you to get the very most out of your new scope.  

You should also have a good star chart.  

http://www.stellarium.org

This is great freeware that you can download.  Just tell it where you are and it will tell you what you see.  

During the week of the Labor Day holiday, take your scope out where you can see the western horizon skyline.  Right as the sun sets, you will be able to see Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the moon all near the western horizon.  They will be in a triangle type pattern getting closer to each other every day.  That is a fun target to watch.  Venus is the brightest one.  Mars is the more reddish one.  Mercury is smaller.  They are not visible for very long so be sure you are ready as the sun sets-----Wait for it to set completely before you look.  Don't try looking at the sun in your scope or you can do serious permanent damage to your eyes.  You need special solar filters to view the sun.

Answer 2

Well, i don't know about planets galaxies and stuff, but I am pretty sure you could not see a black hole. First of all nothing, (except gravity) can escape a black hole. Light will still be sucked in; so, there will not be any light reflecting of the surface. (Your telescope is useless in observing black holes) No Offense though.. ..

Answer 3

hey......yeah i think u might see saturn and its ring ect.... didnt  u try it 2 see if u can see the stuff u want 2 see......

hav fun n enjoy ur telescope........

Answer 4

This not a bad scope to start out with. If you live in an area that is dark you can see many things with it. There are many galaxies that are with in reach of your telescope. I used a 76mm reflector for quite a while, and I have seen many objects with it. Many of the Messier objects are visible in your telescope. The Messier objects are a catalog that was compiled by the 18th century comet hunter Charles Messier. He thought that they looked like comets in his small telescope, so he cataloged them so that he did not make the mistake again. Now we make the “mistake” of observing them again and again.

The problem that most people encounter with visual observation, is the fact that deep-space objects do not look anything like they do in the pictures. The reason being: these pictures are taken with telescopes that track the sky for sometimes hours, all the while the camera that is attached to them is taking the picture -- very long term exposures. When we use our eye through a telescope to observe an object our eye is just not that sensitive to the colors of faint objects. There are a couple objects that can be seen in color, but they are the rare exception; they are very bright in comparison so they are easier to see color.

As for the planets: yes you can definitely see the rings of Saturn, and most likely it's brightest moon Titan. You will also be able to see Jupiter in fairly good detail; one person said something about the Great Red Spot on Jupiter, however, you will not be able to see that in anything smaller than a 6" (150mm) scope, you will be able to see the 4 largest moons, though.

As for comets, yes you would be able to see brighter comets in decent detail. One person commented on naked eye comets, however, I have see many comets through small telescopes, and most were not even close to being seen with the naked eye. I viewed the recent comet Holmes before it rose to naked eye status, both with binoculars and a 76mm reflector. It was not a grand site in the traditional sense, but it was a grand site to me.

I don't see you viewing black holes, since everybody hit the nail on the head with that one. The things that we observe in astronomy are because of mainly reflected/refracted star light, so something that can't let light escape would not be visible. However, there is one galaxy that with a larger instrument the effects are very visible from a black hole.

I would recommend buying a book for beginners -- I would buy a book called “Left turn at Orion.” Plus, there are many sources on the web. You just have to remember to not have expectations that exceeds what is possible with visual astronomy. It is a very rewarding hobby, you just have to remember it’s limitations.  

Answer 5

Planets can easily be seen with any telescope... even a set of binoculars. Right now, Jupiter is the only planet you are going to be able to see. It is the brightest object in the sky. It rises in the south-east.

Comets can be seen with the naked eye, but it is hard to find comets with a telescope. I would recommend sticking to planets right now.

Some galaxies can be seen with an 80mm. I'm not sure about all of them, but if you get into a secluded area where there is little light pollution, you could find the Andromeda galaxy (M31) and get a look a it through your telescope. But in the telescope, it will probably show up as a slightly elongated star.

With that, you could see the rings on Saturn. You can also see at least 4 of Jupiter's moons, as well as the big red spot if it is visible at the time.

As for the black holes, there is no way. Black holes are invisible because they absorb light. They are a form of dark matter, meaning they can't be seen.

Good luck, and happy observing!

Answer 6

You will be able to see all the planets with this telescope, including the phases of Venus, the moons of Jupiter, and the rings of Saturn. When there is a bright comet in the sky (none at present) you will be able to see it. This telescope is a bit on the small side to see more than a handful of galaxies, but you will definitely be able to see some if you take the telescope to a dark sky site. No telescope can show black holes. Yours is a very small beginner's telescope, aand so won't show you a lot of detail; it will be best on the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn (not currently visible).

I'd recommend a good book like NightWatch by Terence Dickinson (Firefly) to tell you more about astronomy and the objects your telescope can show you.

Answer 7

OK, so you have two eyepieces, giving 80x and 31x.  You should be able to see the moons of Jupiter, and some belts on the surface.  The rings of Saturn, once it gets out of the glare of the Sun. We're getting to edge on with the Rings of Saturn. Brighter galaxies, like m31, m80, m81.  Globular clusters, like m13, the double cluster in Perseus.  Nebulae, like the great Orion nebula.  And of course, double stars and stars.  There is a quasar you may be able to see.  It'll look like a star. Mars will be at least a disk - possibly with a polar cap in January 2010.  The Moon will be spectacular.

Download the sky map for your area.  There are lists of objects on the second page.  Go for the easy ones first.  The hardest ones may (will) require a dark sky site.

Answer 8

Although this is considered a smaller scope,it's not a toy.

with appropriate eye pieces, seeing craters on the moon,

spots on jupiter,saturn's rings etc. you should get some very good

results. for galaxies,I would suggest a lower magnification and

wider field. the spiral ,andromeda galaxies should be visible,

but fainter nebula,clusters,and galaxies would be difficult to see.

some deep space objects are easily visible with my 90mm scope.

(almost 4").avoid high power eye pieces and barlows for deep space.