{"id":1287,"date":"2019-01-15T12:00:55","date_gmt":"2019-01-15T17:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.wordpress\/?p=1287"},"modified":"2025-02-25T15:27:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T20:27:45","slug":"0014311-article-a-beginners-guide-to-telescopes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/0014311-article-a-beginners-guide-to-telescopes\/","title":{"rendered":"A Beginner’s Guide to Telescopes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Viewing the heavens through a telescope is a breathtaking venture that will leave you with life-long memories. But before you can have that experience, you must do something more down to earth: buy a telescope. Choosing your first telescope can be a scary task. This beginner’s guide to telescopes will teach you about the different kinds of telescopes, how they work, and how to choose the right one for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Four Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Telescope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Where will I be viewing?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In a city setting or in larger towns there are many street and building lights. These lights give off a glow that causes a light dome. This light dome effects what you see at night by casting a bright haze that blocks out the fainter stars, galaxies and nebulas. City dwellers are mostly limited in viewing solar, Luna, planetary, double stars, and some of the brighter deep sky objects. A telescope with an aperture from 3.0\u201d to 8\u201d should suit them fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All telescopes work well away from the city. There, light pollution does not limit your choices. The larger aperture scopes, 8\u201d and greater, will give you unbelievable views of nebulas, galaxies, and star clusters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What objects do I want to view?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Astronomy is a broad hobby with many fields of interest. Amateur astronomers can help in the research of Solar, Luna, planetary and variable star studies. Amateurs can also conduct nova, supernova, comet and minor planets searches. Or, you can do it just for the fun and love of viewing and imaging the heavens. Gear your telescope purchase around your interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is my budget?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Telescope pricing can range from $99 for a small refractor to over $20,000 for a large 16\u201d catadioptric telescope. Buy what you can afford, or save up and get it later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much do am I willing to carry?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The size and weight of the telescope you are willing to carry is probably the biggest problem one must ponder. Telescopes can range from around 15 lbs. to well over 300 lbs. Most can be broken down into 3 subsections for transportation: the optical tube assembly, the telescope mount, and the tripod or base. Remember, if the scope is too heavy, you may not use it at all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn about Aperture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The aperture of the telescope is its heart. The diameter of the aperture determines the light gathering ability of the scope. When you increase the size of the aperture from a 4\u201d to an 8\u201d you increase the resolving power by a factor of two and the light gathering power by a factor of four. For example, 4\u201d telescope at a 120x will just show M13 (star cluster) as a fuzzy spot, but when viewed with an 8\u201d using the same magnification M13 is resolved to its core showing hundreds of stars. Larger aperture telescopes are better when seeing conditions are good in showing fine detail in planets, Luna and deep sky objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginner’s Guide to Telescope Designs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Refractor Telescopes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The refracting telescope has a good rugged design and is mostly maintenance free. They can consist of two, three or four glass lens elements that bend the light until it is focused at the far end of the tube. Their closed tube systems protect the optics from dust and air currents. Higher quality refractors give beautiful views with pinpoint stars images. Refractors are great for viewing and imaging double stars, planets, lunar, solar, comets and the brighter deep sky objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n