Frequently asked questions!
How do I become a member of the AAL ?
The annual membership fee is 15 Euro.This fee can either be paid directly to our cashier during one of our club meetings in Dudelange or by tranferring 15 Euro on one of our bank accounts CCPL: IBAN LU08 1111 0460 1133 0000 or BILL: IBAN LU22 0026 1173 2160 0000. Absolutely no preliminary knowledge is required.
What services will I get as a member ?
Regular presentations and explanations by our experienced members on all astronomical subjects and practical questions. Contacting and discussing with people sharing your interests, participating in night sky observations with telescopes as well as a large choice of astronomical books, magazines and video-tapes out of our club library. Borrowing of astronomical observation equipment ( telescope, binoculars a.s.o. ) possible after 1 year of membership. The lectures are in Luxembourgish language!
What is the best beginner's telescope ?
No standard reply can be given to this typical question. A reasonable compromise for observing both planets and brightest deep sky objects ( nebulae, galaxies) are either a 4 to 8 inch mirror telescope ( Newton, Schmidt-Cassegrain ) or a 3 to 4 inch refracting ( lens) telescope.
Brands like Meade, Celestron, Vixen or Intes are recommendable. However also for smaller budgets brands like Bresser, Dörr will also serve a beginner's requirements.
Beside the optics also the mount and tripod should be sturdy to avoid blurred images during observation. A bigger telescope means also a more heavy weight to handle. This point should be considered if your observation point is not close to your home. In that case a lighter telescope will be more favorable, because you will certainly enjoy it more frequently.
What does a telescope cost ?
Prices are ranging between 500 Euro ( 4" mirror scope, 3" refractor ) to 5000 Euro and more ( 5-8" mirror scope , 4-5" refractor ) . We do not recommend cheap department store telescopes, because you will be disappointed by their oftenly poor optical quality and stability ( blurred images ). Better saving for a quality brand or check our forum for occasional "used telescope" offers.
Where can I buy a telescope in Luxembourg ?
A list with adresses ( including near foreign stores ) can be downloaded here or will be provided upon request by writing to our postal address: Boite postale 1711 L-1017 Luxembourg (please add stamps for return mail ).
What can I observe with a telescope in Luxembourg ?
Different factors are important. The seasons, the seeing ( a clear sky is not always associated to calm , stable air ) and most important how dark your observation site is. It is increasingly difficult to find truly dark sites in our country, because everywhere street and other lights are added. Worst are those lights radiating in all directions: they certainly are not incrasing people's safety but are merely making star observation impossible. ( If the current trend continues, only the moon, planets and a few bright stars will remain observable in our country in a not so distant future.....The Webcoordinator). Therefore it is very important that astronomy is taught in the classrooms and is made more accessible for the general public. Through a public observatory and/or planetarium the public will learn about the fascinating things of the night sky. Of course the kind of telescope itself is very important. The bigger the diameter the more light will be caught: this means that faint objects ( like for instance the "owl nebula") are very difficult to see in an scope of 6 ". However a large diameter is also amplifying the light pollution. Therefore a dark site for observing is at least as important for deep sky observation as the diameter of your scope.
Why should I buy a telescope anyway ?
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To see Saturn with its ring system, Jupiter with its coloured bands and its "Great Red Spot", the Andromeda galaxy - our neighbour galaxy - , craters on the lunar surface, the Orion nebula, the Plejades, the star cluster M13 and, and, and...
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What if I have any more questions ?
Don't hesitate to contact us.