If there were one kind of telescope that was the only kind of telescope worth getting, there would be no market for any others. Yet, there are many different kinds being sold. This leads to the fact that not all are right for all people. When you are shopping for a telescope, it is wise to consider your particular needs.
The first thing to think about is what you want to look at. For example, the moon is seen best with certain refractor telescopes. Bird watching is also a good hobby for those with refractor telescope. However, if you want to do explorations into the deep sky, refractors are not a good choice.
A Newtonian reflector telescope is a good general telescope, but you would not have much luck using it in daytime situations. The best one for deep sky observation is the 6"-25" reflector telescope. It is not a good overall telescope, though, and it does not work well for daytime viewing.
One of the best general telescopes is the compound telescope, which uses both lenses and mirrors. It is also good for astrophotography. If you want to record your celestial finds for posterity, taking photos of them just makes sense. Many of the sights you see will never come around again in your lifetime, if ever. Take a picture of the object in the sky and you can share it with your grandkids someday.
There are also accessories that can help you use your telescope for just the purpose you choose. A star diagonal can help you look at an object that is high in the sky without making you hold your body and neck in an uncomfortable position. An erecting prism can bring images right side up if you are looking at daytime objects such as birds.
Another point to consider is where you will be when you view the sky. If you are in the city, you will be faced with overcoming light pollution. Without a dark place to observe from, you need the best telescope for the job. Compound telescopes and refractors are the best. If you have a reflector telescope, it will be overwhelmed by the urban light.
If you live in the suburbs, your landscape is probably somewhat polluted with lights, but less so than in the city. This moderate light can accommodate all types of telescopes equally well. In this case, use other means of deciding which telescope to choose.
If you live out in the country, the skies can get very dark. It would seem that this is a good thing when looking at the night sky. Refractors sometimes do not gather enough light for you to see the objects you want to see, though. Compound and reflectors bring the light into your telescope where you want it.
If you want to choose the best telescope for you, it is important to understand what the options are. You also have to go into it with an idea of what your needs are when it comes to using a telescope. Knowing these two things can help you get one you can enjoy for years.
Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about astronomy as well as telescopes at http://www.nsearch.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall
Monday, July 14, 2008
Buying a Telescope?
What an experience you have ahead of you if you are choosing a telescope to look at the night sky!
But even if you want a telescope for other purposes, it is important to gather a few facts about telescopes first so you know what to look for when you buy.
Types of telescope
Essentially there are two types of telescope:
A refractor telescope – that’s the ‘traditional’ type of telescope which has a lens at the front, a tube for the body, and an eyepiece at the other end.
A reflector telescope – which has an open end and a mirror at the other which directs the image to another mirror and then directs that to the eyepieceWhich should you go for?
Well, if price is important, then generally speaking you will get better ‘value for money’ with a reflector telescope. But purists will claim that you will get a better quality image with a refractor. So, if you can, try each out and make your decision.
Buying tips
DON’T be sold on magnification! Ads and salesmen will talk about so many hundred times magnification. That’s not the most important factor at all – too much magnification often only succeeds in giving you a more blurred image!
What counts is the amount of light collected by the telescope – and that depends on the size of the lens or the mirror (as a rule of thumb, multiply the diameter of the objective by 2.5, and you’ll get an idea of the magnification possible).
And don’t skimp on the tripod and mountings; make sure they are solid and steady. When you are looking at a distant object at high magnification, a wobbly tripod is not something that you want!
If you can afford it:
Go for a GoTo telescope. What’s that? Well you align it with several known objects in the sky, and then you can find just about anything else with a supplied remote control – saves hours of time and frustration.
Or go one step further and invest in a GPS telescope – using the same principle of satellite navigation used in cars, this will find any known object in the night sky for you!
Final word of warning
DON’T under any circumstances, point your telescope at the sun – ever. The damage you can inflict on your sight is unbelievable. Do not be tempted – just don’t do it!
Happy viewing.
For an essential FREE guide getting the right telescope at the right price, visit www.info4u-services.com/telescope
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Woodford
But even if you want a telescope for other purposes, it is important to gather a few facts about telescopes first so you know what to look for when you buy.
Types of telescope
Essentially there are two types of telescope:
A refractor telescope – that’s the ‘traditional’ type of telescope which has a lens at the front, a tube for the body, and an eyepiece at the other end.
A reflector telescope – which has an open end and a mirror at the other which directs the image to another mirror and then directs that to the eyepieceWhich should you go for?
Well, if price is important, then generally speaking you will get better ‘value for money’ with a reflector telescope. But purists will claim that you will get a better quality image with a refractor. So, if you can, try each out and make your decision.
Buying tips
DON’T be sold on magnification! Ads and salesmen will talk about so many hundred times magnification. That’s not the most important factor at all – too much magnification often only succeeds in giving you a more blurred image!
What counts is the amount of light collected by the telescope – and that depends on the size of the lens or the mirror (as a rule of thumb, multiply the diameter of the objective by 2.5, and you’ll get an idea of the magnification possible).
And don’t skimp on the tripod and mountings; make sure they are solid and steady. When you are looking at a distant object at high magnification, a wobbly tripod is not something that you want!
If you can afford it:
Go for a GoTo telescope. What’s that? Well you align it with several known objects in the sky, and then you can find just about anything else with a supplied remote control – saves hours of time and frustration.
Or go one step further and invest in a GPS telescope – using the same principle of satellite navigation used in cars, this will find any known object in the night sky for you!
Final word of warning
DON’T under any circumstances, point your telescope at the sun – ever. The damage you can inflict on your sight is unbelievable. Do not be tempted – just don’t do it!
Happy viewing.
For an essential FREE guide getting the right telescope at the right price, visit www.info4u-services.com/telescope
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Woodford
A Beginner's Guide to Telescopes
For a backyard astronomer you have many options on what type of telescope to use in your endeavor. With all types of pricing, you may decide to go cheap on your first telescope, which is not advised. A cheap telescope may hinder you enjoyment of star gazing. Telescopes come in a wide variety of prices, starting with the cheap knockoffs, to the professional models that may cost thousands of dollars. If you are a beginner, you may first want to do some research to find the right starter telescope that fits your needs and budget, you should be able to find a decent starter telescope for just a few hundred dollars.
The telescopes we are going to concentrate on are Reflector, Refractor, and the Schmidt-Cassegrain class. Descriptions of each follow below.
Refractor Telescopes
The first telescope a beginner may think of are reflectors. That is the style that we are most accustomed to seeing, and cheap ones can be found plentiful in department and discount stores. But with a quality refractor telescope, This is where the comparison ends. A refractor telescope is usually a long, thin tube, mounted on a tripod. Because of this design, Refractor telescopes are portable and easy to move, and are simple to use. Refractor telescope are generally used for viewing the moon, sun, and planets.
The aperture of a refractor telescope is an important consideration for optimum viewing. This is the light gathering lens diameter. Generally, you would want have an aperture of 70mm, but you may prefer a larger diameter for a larger view.
Reflector Telescopes
If you are interested in viewing far away galaxies, distant star clusters or nebula, theReflector Telescopeis the one for you. Reflectorsuse mirrors in the base of large tubes for gathering light. An addition of a mount, or Dobsonian moves up and down to adjust for altitude, and it also pivots, a very easy design to use.
6" and 8" are popular sizes, but larger sizes are available. Price per inch, reflector telescopes are an inexpensive option for viewing deep sky objects.
Schmidt-Cassegrain
A telescope that brings together the technologies of both reflector and refractor telescopes is called a Schmidt-Cassegraintelescope.
These are the telescopes that you would use in astrophotography. A camera can be easily mounted to the eyepiece allowing breathtaking shots of the cosmos. Use of a computer and software allows you to program objects and coordinates for easy viewing. The Schmidt-Cassegrain pricing is about midway between refractor and reflector.
Angelo Valenti
This guide is designed to help the beginner astronomer make the right decision on what type of telescope may serve there needs. We make no claims to the superiority of any brand of telescope. For more information, telescopes and accessories, please visit http://telescopefanatic.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angelo_Valenti
The telescopes we are going to concentrate on are Reflector, Refractor, and the Schmidt-Cassegrain class. Descriptions of each follow below.
Refractor Telescopes
The first telescope a beginner may think of are reflectors. That is the style that we are most accustomed to seeing, and cheap ones can be found plentiful in department and discount stores. But with a quality refractor telescope, This is where the comparison ends. A refractor telescope is usually a long, thin tube, mounted on a tripod. Because of this design, Refractor telescopes are portable and easy to move, and are simple to use. Refractor telescope are generally used for viewing the moon, sun, and planets.
The aperture of a refractor telescope is an important consideration for optimum viewing. This is the light gathering lens diameter. Generally, you would want have an aperture of 70mm, but you may prefer a larger diameter for a larger view.
Reflector Telescopes
If you are interested in viewing far away galaxies, distant star clusters or nebula, theReflector Telescopeis the one for you. Reflectorsuse mirrors in the base of large tubes for gathering light. An addition of a mount, or Dobsonian moves up and down to adjust for altitude, and it also pivots, a very easy design to use.
6" and 8" are popular sizes, but larger sizes are available. Price per inch, reflector telescopes are an inexpensive option for viewing deep sky objects.
Schmidt-Cassegrain
A telescope that brings together the technologies of both reflector and refractor telescopes is called a Schmidt-Cassegraintelescope.
These are the telescopes that you would use in astrophotography. A camera can be easily mounted to the eyepiece allowing breathtaking shots of the cosmos. Use of a computer and software allows you to program objects and coordinates for easy viewing. The Schmidt-Cassegrain pricing is about midway between refractor and reflector.
Angelo Valenti
This guide is designed to help the beginner astronomer make the right decision on what type of telescope may serve there needs. We make no claims to the superiority of any brand of telescope. For more information, telescopes and accessories, please visit http://telescopefanatic.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angelo_Valenti
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)