Binoculars with a strength of 7 X 35 can actually be a better choice than a telescope. Binoculars are more portable and convenient, relatively inexpensive, and it's wiser to get cheap binoculars over a cheap telescope. With the 7 X 35 binoculars, the first number stands for the eyepiece magnification and the second number is the aperture in millimeters. Binoculars of this caliber are lighter and easy to hold.
There are three types of telescopes available for beginning astronomers.
Refractors consist of lenses at both ends, and the most recognized type of telescope. They generally cost more per aperture inch than other telescopes, but their size makes them ideal beginner telescopes. It's best to avoid cheap department store models, as these quote large magnifications but have small, useless apertures. The job of a telescope is to collect an images light, not magnify it, so large magnifications actually make things worse and can alter data. Earthly telescopes usually have extra lenses to make an image appear right side up, but this extra lense can cut down the amount of light that reaches the eye. Therefore, the extra lense is left out of astronomical telescopes, which leaves images upside down. Since lenses can create false rainbow images around really bright objects, it's best to buy a filter to help correct the problem.
The next type of telescope is called the reflector, and these are usually comfortable because of the eyepiece position. In this telescope, light reflects off mirrors as is travels down the telescope tube and through the eyepiece on the side. In order to be as useful as a refractor, the reflector must be larger in size. Although they don't create false rainbow images, the main mirror on a reflector often needs to be readjusted, and there are kits for this. A popular type of reflector is called a Dobsonian, and this is convenient because it has a mount instead of a tripod.
The final type of amateur telescope is the Schmidt-Cassegrain, and this uses lenses and mirrors to fold a light path back onto itself within a compacted tube. This telescope is usually less expensive than refractors, dearer than reflectors, and are easier to handle than both.
Telescope specifications may quote numbers.These have no affect on the image you see, but can affect the exposure needed if you get into astrophotography. It's best to avoid astrophotography to start with. Become familiar with the sky and your telescope first.
By joining a local astonomy club or checking a library, you can evaluate different types of instruments. Also, astronomy magazines have reviews as well as advertising for good telescopes.
Even though you should purchase the largest aperture you find, keep in mind you may not want a large telescope as you may have to carry it around. Smaller telescopes are easier to set up and use, and high pollution in your area can keep a large telescope from producing results to its full potential.
The general rule for calculating the maximum practical magnification a telescope can achieve is to double the aperture in millimeters, e.g. a 100mm aperture telescope should have a maximum magnification of 200x. So spend the majority of your budget on getting a larger aperture, not more accessories. Do not be tempted to buy an eyepiece that will allegedly stretch magnification beyond the maximum value calculated from the aperture. If given a choice of eyepieces start off simple. A Kellner is a good general-purpose eyepiece and a Barlow lens placed between a focuser and eyepiece can triple magnification.
In order to keep a moving object in view, a telescope may have to be moved repeatedly. To help with this, mounts and drives have been created. Electronic drives will help point the telescope, and it's important to have a sturdy mount.
It's important to know that many textbook and telescope advertisement photos are long exposures and have been given false colors. Since the eye isn't sensitive enough, stars will always look like small points of light and color will not be seen in dim objects.
So what can you expect to see with a beginners telescope? A 3-inch (75mm) refractor or 6-inch (150mm) reflector will allow you to see many galaxies and nebulae, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's largest moons and hundreds of craters on the moon. Plenty of wonderful objects to serve as an introduction to the night sky. - 16747
There are three types of telescopes available for beginning astronomers.
Refractors consist of lenses at both ends, and the most recognized type of telescope. They generally cost more per aperture inch than other telescopes, but their size makes them ideal beginner telescopes. It's best to avoid cheap department store models, as these quote large magnifications but have small, useless apertures. The job of a telescope is to collect an images light, not magnify it, so large magnifications actually make things worse and can alter data. Earthly telescopes usually have extra lenses to make an image appear right side up, but this extra lense can cut down the amount of light that reaches the eye. Therefore, the extra lense is left out of astronomical telescopes, which leaves images upside down. Since lenses can create false rainbow images around really bright objects, it's best to buy a filter to help correct the problem.
The next type of telescope is called the reflector, and these are usually comfortable because of the eyepiece position. In this telescope, light reflects off mirrors as is travels down the telescope tube and through the eyepiece on the side. In order to be as useful as a refractor, the reflector must be larger in size. Although they don't create false rainbow images, the main mirror on a reflector often needs to be readjusted, and there are kits for this. A popular type of reflector is called a Dobsonian, and this is convenient because it has a mount instead of a tripod.
The final type of amateur telescope is the Schmidt-Cassegrain, and this uses lenses and mirrors to fold a light path back onto itself within a compacted tube. This telescope is usually less expensive than refractors, dearer than reflectors, and are easier to handle than both.
Telescope specifications may quote numbers.These have no affect on the image you see, but can affect the exposure needed if you get into astrophotography. It's best to avoid astrophotography to start with. Become familiar with the sky and your telescope first.
By joining a local astonomy club or checking a library, you can evaluate different types of instruments. Also, astronomy magazines have reviews as well as advertising for good telescopes.
Even though you should purchase the largest aperture you find, keep in mind you may not want a large telescope as you may have to carry it around. Smaller telescopes are easier to set up and use, and high pollution in your area can keep a large telescope from producing results to its full potential.
The general rule for calculating the maximum practical magnification a telescope can achieve is to double the aperture in millimeters, e.g. a 100mm aperture telescope should have a maximum magnification of 200x. So spend the majority of your budget on getting a larger aperture, not more accessories. Do not be tempted to buy an eyepiece that will allegedly stretch magnification beyond the maximum value calculated from the aperture. If given a choice of eyepieces start off simple. A Kellner is a good general-purpose eyepiece and a Barlow lens placed between a focuser and eyepiece can triple magnification.
In order to keep a moving object in view, a telescope may have to be moved repeatedly. To help with this, mounts and drives have been created. Electronic drives will help point the telescope, and it's important to have a sturdy mount.
It's important to know that many textbook and telescope advertisement photos are long exposures and have been given false colors. Since the eye isn't sensitive enough, stars will always look like small points of light and color will not be seen in dim objects.
So what can you expect to see with a beginners telescope? A 3-inch (75mm) refractor or 6-inch (150mm) reflector will allow you to see many galaxies and nebulae, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's largest moons and hundreds of craters on the moon. Plenty of wonderful objects to serve as an introduction to the night sky. - 16747
About the Author:
David Wildash shares information and tips on his website about Telescopes , and you can read more about buying a telescope
