Telescopes Buying Guide
April 5th 2009 05:19
What type of telescope should I buy?
The debate has gone for some years now ever since Galileo invented the first telescope using two glass lenses and a tube, around 500 years ago..
There are two basic types of optical telescopes. The refractor and the Newtonian reflecting telescope. Invented by Isaac Newton around the 1600s. Refractor and reflecting all sounds a little dounting at first.
So what is the difference between the two types of telescopes?
The
uses a glass lenses as its primary lenses called the objective lenses. The light is bent or refracted by the lenses down the tube to the eyepiece. The reflective telescope uses a primary mirror usually made of glass located at the end of the tube which collects the light and conveys it to the eyepiece via a secondary mirror located in the top of the tube to the eyepiece. There are other types of telescopes which use a combination of the two, but these telescopes tend to be more expensive.
I have a preference for the reflector (Newtonian) telescope although both types of telescopes perform very well; the Newtonian for me is better value.
Both have advantages and disadvantages. The refractor which has the glass lenses tends to have chromatic distortions meaning that the colours and light rendition is often slightly distorted especially in the budget priced refracting telescopes however the refractor is easier to set up and look at the night sky.
The Newtonian is usually larger telescope but is less prone to chromatic distortion there fore giving a true rendition of celestial objects. The Newtonian telescope is set up differently to a refractor in that the Newtonian has what is called an equatorial mount. Meaning that the telescope is mounted with an axis parallel to the axis of the earth. This provides easy tracking of sky objects and for photography when combined with a clock or electric drive control.
If you’re thinking of buying a new telescope and you want to spending time looking at the planets moon and stars it is best to pay a bit extra and get a reputable brand usually available from any good optical outlet. These outlets give sound advice and stock quality telescopes priced to suit your budget.
One of the most popular cost effective telescope is the
which is basically a reflecting (Newtonian) that has a large aperture and is extremely simple and rugged instrument. Although the Dobsonian telescope is perhaps more portable and can be assembled basically anywhere it is not suited to be used in astrophotography.
There are other alternatives to buying a telescope with current financial situation it makes sense to rent a telescope on-line. I conduct a lot of my work using on-line telescopes and buy time as I require it to perform observations or do a little astrophotography.
If you don’t have access to clear skies and don’t want to spend a lot of money these telescopes are ideal as they are located in many parts of the world.
These telescopes use professional optics give excellent results even a novice can use them. From the comfort of your home you can explores the universe without leaving your chair. Visit slooh.com Internet sites like slooh.com have on-line access.
The debate has gone for some years now ever since Galileo invented the first telescope using two glass lenses and a tube, around 500 years ago..
There are two basic types of optical telescopes. The refractor and the Newtonian reflecting telescope. Invented by Isaac Newton around the 1600s. Refractor and reflecting all sounds a little dounting at first.
a typical reflecting telescope
So what is the difference between the two types of telescopes?
The
Refracting Telescope
I have a preference for the reflector (Newtonian) telescope although both types of telescopes perform very well; the Newtonian for me is better value.
Both have advantages and disadvantages. The refractor which has the glass lenses tends to have chromatic distortions meaning that the colours and light rendition is often slightly distorted especially in the budget priced refracting telescopes however the refractor is easier to set up and look at the night sky.
The Newtonian is usually larger telescope but is less prone to chromatic distortion there fore giving a true rendition of celestial objects. The Newtonian telescope is set up differently to a refractor in that the Newtonian has what is called an equatorial mount. Meaning that the telescope is mounted with an axis parallel to the axis of the earth. This provides easy tracking of sky objects and for photography when combined with a clock or electric drive control.
If you’re thinking of buying a new telescope and you want to spending time looking at the planets moon and stars it is best to pay a bit extra and get a reputable brand usually available from any good optical outlet. These outlets give sound advice and stock quality telescopes priced to suit your budget.
One of the most popular cost effective telescope is the
Dobsonian telescope uses primary and secondary mirrors
There are other alternatives to buying a telescope with current financial situation it makes sense to rent a telescope on-line. I conduct a lot of my work using on-line telescopes and buy time as I require it to perform observations or do a little astrophotography.
If you don’t have access to clear skies and don’t want to spend a lot of money these telescopes are ideal as they are located in many parts of the world.
These telescopes use professional optics give excellent results even a novice can use them. From the comfort of your home you can explores the universe without leaving your chair. Visit slooh.com Internet sites like slooh.com have on-line access.
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Comment by S.L.
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
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Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
Seems like you have an ideal location.
Perhaps you might consider renting some time on on-line telescope.
Well summer is comming your way soon.....perhaps better viewing conditions in the future ...lets hope!!
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
Thanks for the comment. Happy observing.
Weather this end has not been the best, but we are comming to the end of our wet season.