best is start to join stargazing groups in malaysia, follow them for stargazing sessions. Learn, explore with all the sifu there before making a telescope purchase...

there's lot to see and enjoy without telescope....take for example constellation spotting. There are 88 of them. Of course cannot spot all due to season, and location. Those at the northern and southern hemisphere are hard to spot from equator.

just a regular stargazer....not professional astronomer working in a million dollar observation dome

well, some of us do check the satellite image before embarking. My friend like to go kubu bahru dam for astrophotography....total darkness there (protected from city lights).

Everytime a clear nite is spotted here in kl area, a quick check with the satellite image to confirm no coming clouds, then off they go....

hilltops are not necessary a good place. The best hill near KL would be Fraser's. But sometimes on a clear night, can get disappointed with mist. My favourite place would be the tennis court after the playground.

Please do go in a group....not kind of place to be alone; for all kind of reasons....

instead of going high up, the kubu bahru dam is also great....(fraser foothill). Other recommended place would be the Farm, Negeri Sembilan.

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Added on April 16, 2008, 7:49 pmwell that depends on how passionate the person is towards astronomy related field. The ppl I know can pack and go at the sight of clear night in the wee hours....In m'sia very diff to plan as the weather is unpredictable. Besides, cosmic events does not evolve around out schedules.

This post has been edited by albatross: Apr 16 2008, 07:49 PM

true...night out can be dangerous...but well it all depends who you are with. There are public events being organized from time to time. Sign up with those established malaysian stargazer groups, they will update you from time to time.


Well, I got a dobsonian. Bought 2nd hand, a small, easy to manage telescope with primitive mounting. In the distant future, plan to get the heavy-duty EQ tripod for the scope.....it can cost close to 1k. dunno need to save how long.....

Other than that I pinjam....hehehe....occasionally use friend's 1000mm refractor.

that;s just the tripod...

once, on Aug 27, 2003 gathering during the Mars opposition watch, get to try WO FLT110mm Triplet APO. Can see so much details on the Mars surface....One of the top-end models. Unfortunately, dunno where the owner disappear too liao. No news from him.....so sad...wish to use it more......

Well telescope can be expensive, but bare in mind, they are timeless piece.....well taken care of, telescope should last ages.... I believe all optical product are like this....all 'pay-through-the-nose kind of expensive.....

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Added on April 16, 2008, 9:33 pmshare more nice spot here......

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Added on April 19, 2008, 8:38 pmalways interested to share this hobby with anybody interested....are you based in KL? If you are serious I can try to arrange for gazing session at bukit jalil area...

This post has been edited by albatross: Apr 19 2008, 08:38 PM

wat scene you have in mind?

suggest you join a couple of public or private stargazing session. No need to buy telescope to be able to see planet features...can use those at the stargazing nites....

BTW I think you meant saturn's ring....jupiter can see Her four main moon; io, europa, ganymide, callisto.

If you are in KL, you can pm me to arrange for stargazing session if interested.

starhunter is active.

Stargazer bukit jalil annually organizes stargazing session / courses.

well that depends how many ppl is interested. if one or two no need for creating new club...just join the existing one...I'll try to post future events...do check the thread from time to time....

lol....i agree 100% about toy scope from departmental store....big no no for toy'r'us also.

Good optics dont come cheap.

No need 1000 plus. Can sort for second hand telescope. 4" reflector with standard eye pieces can be bought at half that price. I got mine around that price.

skykids244, wat kind of telescope are you selling?