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✅ About Telescopes
1. Is amateur astronomy difficult to start with or will I be able to get straight into it?
2. What can and can't I observe
3. Which telescope is right for me?
4. How much should I expect to pay for a good telescope?
5. In what ways do telescopes differ?
6. How do you assemble a telescope?
7. What different types of telescopes are there?
8. What's better – refractor or reflector
9. I also want to use my telescope for other kinds of observations - is that possible?
10. What's the best telescope brand?
11. I'd like to observe galaxies as well as planets. What sort of telescope should I buy?
12. Which telescopes are good for children and teenagers?
13. Which telescope is best for travelling with?
14. Can I operate a telescope using a PC?
15. Why would I want a motor for my telescope?
16. What's a Dobson telescope?
17. I see nothing when I look through my telescope - what am I doing wrong?
1. Is amateur astronomy difficult to start with or will I be able to get straight into it?
You can get straight into it – there's not much easier than pointing a telescope upwards and looking through it. But if you're looking to enjoy this hobby on a more long-term basis, you might want to go a little deeper than that. We recommend that you buy a beginners' book and a stellar map along with your telescope so that you can really get to grips with the basics of stargazing.
We recommend the following books:
♦ Secret of star gazing: the perfect book for how recreational stargazers. It's loaded with practical advice to help new observers spend more time exploring the night sky and less time fumbling with equipment or wondering how, when, and what to observe.
♦ Patterns in the sky: Astronomy for Everyone Series will guide even the absolute beginner through the constellations in no time! The book emphasizes what anyone can see from a typical suburban backyard and concentrates on just-for-fun, naked-eye stargazing.
2. What can and can't I observe?
It depends on the size of your telescope and its capabilities, but here are some general guidelines:
The Moon: You'll see lots of craters as well as the small central mountain range in the middle which shows how they were first formed.
Planets: The biggest planet in the solar system is Jupiter, and it's a great one to observe. You can see the four big Galileo moons which, along with Jupiter itself, make it appear like a small solar system. There are visible cloud structures which are constantly changing, and you'll also be able to see the Great Red Spot (GRS), a 4000km long anticyclonic storm.You'll be able to see Saturn's ring, the Cassini Division, Equatorial Rings and sometimes white clouds. Alongside various smaller moons, there's the biggest moon in our solar system: Saturn's Titan moon. You can also observe Venus' phases, because from our perspective, Venus is only partly illuminated by the Sun.
Deep Sky: We can also observe objects which are further away than our Solar System, such as planetary nebula and Lyra's Ring Nebula (2000 lightyears away). We can also see globular clusters with 1,000,000 stars, such as M13 (around 30,000 lightyears away), and galaxies (like our Milky Way), such as the Andromeda galaxy (2.5 million lightyears away). You can also see emission nebula – which are where stars come from – like the Orion Nebula,1500 lightyears away.
Of course, it's not possible to see absolutely everything through a telescope – the possibilities are as endless as the Universe itself.
Just a quick word of warning to prevent disappointment – producers of smaller telescopes often display beautiful colour photographs from the Hubble Telescope on their packaging. You won't be able to see objects this way, especially since, first and foremost, these images are taken by professional astronomical photographers and they have been exposed for a long time (several minutes). However, don't forget that with a good telescope and the appropriate accessories, you will still be able to take some pretty good shots.
3. Which telescope is right for me?
That's a good question – but also a very difficult one. First of all you'll need to establish your goals. For example, if you want to get straight into deep sky observation and see fainter galaxies, you'll definitely be wanting an aperture of over 200mm. Observing galaxies is really only interesting with an aperture of at least 200mm and only reflecting telescopes offer such an aperture at a comparatively low price.
If you prefer to observe the Moon and planets, get yourself a refracting telescope, which will create a nice contrasting picture. If it's important that you have a particularly colour neutral and contrasting picture, you might want to consider getting an ED-Apochromat (a special type of refractor), because this offers a higher magnification as well as a clearer colour picture.
As well as the lens, telescopes also have a number of other distinguishing features and characteristics. There are heavy and more sturdy telescopes, or lighter, easy-to-carry telescopes. For children you can get easy to use telescopes, and for those who are into computers, your best choice would be a telescope which you can plug into your computer.
4. How much should I expect to pay for a good telescope?
That really depends on what you want to get out of it There are of course telescopes around the €60 mark, but if you're really wanting to get stuck into your new hobby and want to avoid disappointment, you'll be looking at spending at least €300. Above that, there's really no limit: the more you invest in a telescope, the higher the optical quality and performance, mechanical stability and lifespan. Brand name telescopes over €1000 were mainly developed for long-term and frequent use. Of course, there are good telescopes which cost less, but for the best mechanical quality and optimal performance, you should expect to pay a little more.
5. In what ways do telescopes differ?
The most notable differences would be in the following:
♦ The design: There are refractor and reflector telescopes. Both these designs are then divided into different subcatagories.
♦ The optics, such as lens diameter and focal length: the larger the diameter of the telescope, the more light it collects. This is usually more important than the focal length, which is what gives it its magnification.
♦ The way that it's mounted: this is where the the astronomical (equatorial or parallactic) mounting can be distinguished from the simple azimulthal mounting. The former is recommended for the majority of observations as it allows the telescope to rotate using one small wheel, which balances out the earth's rotation and keeps your chosen celestial objects in focus. The azimuthal is easier to assemble, operate and transport, and is particularly good for daytime nature observations.
♦ Some telescopes use the so-called Go-To-control. This allows you to view several thousands of celestial bodies that are saved in an intergrated computer at the touch of a button.
6. How do you assemble a telescope?
From the tube (containing the optics), the mount and the tripod.
7. What different types of telescope are there?
Refractor lense telescopes:
♦ Fraunhofer achromatic lens: a classic refractor but with colour aberration.
♦ ED-Apochromat: constructed using an ED lens so that most of the colour aberration is reduced but the contrast is not compromised.
♦ Achromatic lens: Vollapo" - here there is no colour aberration. Mostly made up of a three or four lens system.
Reflector lens telescope
♦ Newton reflector: A classic Isaac Newton telescope with a primary and secondary mirror. Simple and reliable system.
♦ Maksutov Cassegrain: System using a primary and secondary mirror and a meniscus-shaped correction lens.
♦ Schmid-Cassegrain: Similar to the Muksutov, but instead of the correction lens there's a Schmidt corrector plate to correct the aberration.
8. What's better – refractor or reflector?
The answer to this question is different for each individual. A good refractor offers a lovely contrasting picture. Here there is nothing in the optical path which could lead to shadowing or not enough light (which happens with a reflector). You won't be able to see any "spikes", and open star clusters appear extra fine and attractive. On the other hand, they are usually only produced with small apertures, as this telescope would otherwise become too bulky and expensive. Also, lots of refractors with a smaller focal length tend to have colour aberration.
Reflectors, on the other hand, are produced with very large apertures and therefore also offer plenty of light. This is important for deep sky observation, for example. When a refractor and a reflector have the same diameter, the reflector tends to be better.
9. I also want to use my telescope for other kinds of observations - is that possible?
Yes, all telescopes can be used for this. But because a telescope always produces an upside down image, you'll need a lens which turns the object the right way round again - with a Newton telescope you'll need an erecting lense and with a refractor it's best to use a 45° or a 90° Amici prism.
10. What's the best telescope brand?
It's impossible to say which brand is the best. Of course there are certain telescope brands which are sure to be excellent - for example C elestron, Vixen and Meade. But less expensive brands, such as Skywatcher are also very good quality. Most mid-priced telescopes are produced in China and the quality should therefore be good, as branded products from China tend to have a higher quality control.
11. I' d like to observe galaxies as well as planets. What sort of telescope should I buy?
Wenn es um Galaxien geht, sollte es auf jeden Fall ein reflecting telescope with at least a 200mm diameter as in our opinion, that's when observing galaxies becomes interesting. You can, of course, use it for observing planets as well.
It's relatively unimportant whether you go for a Newton, a Maksutov or a Schmid-Cassegrain, although Newton reflectors offer the most diameter for your money.
12. Which telescopes are good for children and teenagers?
For very young children, we would recommend the Infinity-Telescope. The moon, for example, can be observed very well using this telescope. Its use is limited, but it looks good and is robust and easy enough for children to use.
For children aged 6 and over, we would recommend a lighter telescope with a simple, azimuthal mount. Here are some examples:
♦ Skywatcher 60/700 AZ-1
♦ Skywatcher 70/700 AZ-2
♦ Omegon 60/700 AZ-1
♦ Danubia Mars 66
♦ Bresser Acturus
For slightly older children aged 8 and over, we would recommend the smaller Newton telescopes, for example:
♦ Omegon 114/900 EQ-1
♦ Teleskop-Service 114/900 EQ
♦ Skywatcher 130/900 EQ-2
♦ Bresser Messier N-130
♦ Seben BigBoss
These telescopes are good for beginners and are easy for children to use, both in size and weight. If you're after a slightly bigger telescope, we'd also recommend a Dobson telescope. These telescopes are really easy to set up, easy to operate and any child should be able to achieve a good image without any problems.
There's really no difference between a teenage beginner and an adult beginner. If you have the budget for it, we'd recommend using a slightly larger telescope so that you can pick up on more of what the universe has to offer. For example:
♦ Bresser Messier N-150
♦ Skywatcher 150/1200 EQ-3-2
♦ Skywatcher 200/1000 EQ-5
The GoTo telescopes are also worth a mention - these have computers installed which means that the telescope points towards certain objects independently. The following telescopes are great for teenagers or adults who are really very interested in astronomy:
♦ Vixen Skypod
♦ Meade 6" Newton auf LXD-75 mit Autostar GoTo-Steuerung
♦ Skywatcher Maksutov 150 HEQ-5
♦ Skywatcher 254/1200 EQ-6 mit GoTo
♦ Vixen Sphinx
13. Which telescope is best for travelling with?
When you're travelling, you're often faced with the problem that you can't pack too much. Therefore you should probably go for a slightly smaller scope which also fits in your luggage, such as the C elestron NexStar SE or the Meade ETX. If you're not bothered about it being computerised, you might want to try out Skywatcher's Travelmax Maksutov.
14. Can I operate a telescope using my PC?
First of all, there are telescopes which already have a built in computerised GoTo function. With a telescope like this you can point with ease towards nearly any object that you want. Find selected telescopes which have this function here:
link to the category GoTo-telescopes
Some telescopes offer the option of attaching it to a PC using a port. You'll also need a programme (or a driver) to support the telescope, for example Starry Night.
15. Why would I want a motor for my telescope?
Lots of telescopes with a parallactic (equatorial) mount are supplied without a motor. As soon as you've directed it towards the Polestar and found an object, you have to rotate the wheel on the right ascension axis. This balances out the earth's rotation and ensures that the object stays in the middle of the field of view. If you're observing for a long period of time doing this can get quite annoying – but a motor can do the work for you and you can concentrate on the observing. For astrophotography it's an essential.
16. What's a Dobson telescope?
A Dobson is a Newton reflector which is placed in a "Rockerbox" (wooden box) instead of on a mount and tripod. A Dobson telescope is easy to assemble and the construction is simple so the money you spend is almost entirely on the optics. With the azimuthal Dobson mount, the telescope can be moved quite easily in any direction. Additional slide and pivot bearings can make it easier to use. If you get yourself a Dobson, you have the advantage that it's really quick to assemble because the telescope is only made up of the lens and rockerbox. Both parts are extremely easy to build and you can get straight on with observations without having to adjust anything.
17. I see nothing when I look through my telescope - what am I doing wrong?
Frequently beginners are disappointed at the first glance through the telescope. Usually due to false expectations, or because they can not find the objects.
Do not worry. The problem can be solved quickly. We have created a small checklist for you:
a) The telescope is suitable for star observation only at night and outdoors. An observation in the house or by day is not possible.
b) For observation, the cover must be removed from the telescope and an eyepiece inserted. Have you taken off not only the small, but also the complete large lid? If not, not enough light will enter the telescope and you will see everything black.
c) Have you adjusted the telescope and the viewfinder? If not, you could look into an area of space where there are no objects to watch. It is best to adjust the viewfinder to an object on the horizon, such as a chimney or a church tower.
d) Always start with small magnification, sharpen the image, and then increase the magnification step by step. Using a high magnification from the outset will not bring success. This too could be the reason for a black image.
e) Are you sure you have adjusted the focus on the eyepiece? If the objects are not focused, this can also be the reason for a black image.
f) Is the telescope adjusted? The mirrors can be adjusted by transport. If these are too much misaligned, the telescope exhibits a poor image at higher magnifications.
g) Have you let the telescope cool down long enough? The mirror and the tube must adjust to the ambient temperature (acclimatize), otherwise the device does not show a good image.
h) What did you observe? Stars do not look different at higher magnifications than at low magnifications. There are the objects like planets and nebula that are interesting.
i) Is the magnification too high for the object? For example, A weak galaxy with 300-fold magnification, the image will look pretty safe black. Each object requires its own magnification. Use a smaller magnification and try again. Take a test with the moon, it is the brightest object and you can try out all magnifications here.
Already during the day you should inform yourself about what you can observe when and where best. An annual yearbook is indispensable.
♦ We also recommend to follow the instructions for your device in peace!
♦ Select the moon as the first test object. It is the easiest to find and with the first successful observation many beginners problems can be solved.
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