So how much does all this cost?
Well, its not as astronomical as you might think (sorry, couldn’t resist that one). The prices below are from a local supplier, who can be found in the Yellow Pages. All the telescopes come complete with accessories: 3inch refractor and equatorial mount, from £152. 4.5 inch reflector and equatorial mount, from £195. 6 inch reflector and equatorial mount from £293. 7 x 50 binoculars from £28. Does it have to be new?
Used telescopes can be found in Astronomy Now magazine, but always try before you buy, and be prepared to travel. Contact your local astronomical society for help first - we’ll be happy to look over a second hand scope. Bargains are possible, but take care, as you can also end up with something about as useful as chocolate tea pot if you don’t know what you’re looking at. Ask for advice before parting with your hard saved cash. The same goes for second hand binoculars – you may find them in the small ads of the local newspaper, but always try them first. If you can see any hint of false colour around a daytime image, then leave well alone. A few words of warning! It’s quite safe to scan around the sky with binoculars or look through a telescope at faraway stars at night because there isn’t enough light around to do any harm. BUT! NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT OUR OWN SUN IN THE DAYTIME THROUGH ANY KIND OF OPTICAL AID. At the very least, your eyesight will be permanently damaged, and you could easily be blinded. Remember, your binoculars or telescope are photon collectors, designed to focus as much light into your eye as possible. Focusing strong sunlight through a magnifying glass to burn a hole in a piece of paper is a good comparison – with your eye in the place of the paper! Don’t even think about it. Now over to you! I will be adding information in the coming weeks, so keep checking the website. | 
