|
✅ Telescope Buyer's Guide
People all around the world enjoy looking at the stars of the night sky. There are many different telescope designs available, but what telescope is the best choice for someone just starting out? The question of which telescope is best for a beginner is asked quite often, and the best person to answer the question is you! The telescope that's right for you will depend on your lifestyle and your astronomy goals. To help steer you in the right direction, let's review the major factors to consider.
1) Performance? What will I be able to see?
Performance is perhaps the most important factor when choosing a telescope. Knowing what you can expect to see through the telescope can help determine which instrument is right for you. The aperture, or diameter, of a telescope governs how much light the telescope can collect. A larger aperture telescope will be able to collect more light than a smaller diameter instrument, and therefore will be able to show you a larger number of night sky objects and more detail on them. Also, a telescope with a larger aperture can be pushed to a higher viewing magnification compared to a smaller diameter scope.
Telescopes measuring 60-80mm (2-3 inches) in aperture will provide nice views of the Moon, bright planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and a few of the brighter cloudy nebulas and star clusters. A telescope with an aperture of 90-130mm (3.5-5 inches) will show a substantial increase in detail on the same subjects, and allow you to see more dim objects in the sky, like galaxies, some of the more faint nebulas and star clusters. Telescopes with apertures of 150mm (6 inches) and above are capable of providing very bright and sharply detailed views of solar system objects and most deep space objects like cloudy nebulas, sparkling star clusters, and distant galaxies.
Every increase in aperture, no matter how small, will have an exponential effect on performance. A 10-inch telescope will show more than an 8-inch model, which will show more than a 6-inch, and so on. Of course, the larger the telescope's aperture: the larger the telescope. Don't forget to weigh your decision of telescope aperture with the size and portability factor.
2) Size and Portability
An old saying in amateur astronomy is "the best telescope is one that is used often." Like many sayings, it has a lot of truth to it. The size and relative portability of a telescope can have a significant effect on how often you use it. While a larger telescope will usually allow you to see more, you may not want an especially large telescope if its size will prohibit you from using it regularly. Our advice is to pay close attention to the size and weight of the telescopes you consider, and try to anticipate how much effort each one will take to set up and use. Although some telescope designs can be bulky, many observers find the extra effort worth it to obtain beautiful views of the heavens.
3) Optical Design? Which telescope design is best for me?
While most people think of a pirate with an eye-patch wielding a long brass tube when we hear the word "telescope", there are actually many different optical designs used to make telescopes. The three most common telescope designs are: refractors, reflectors, and Cassegrains. Each design has different attributes that may make one more enticing to you compared to another, depending on your goals. Let's briefly investigate each design and their main differentiating factors to help you make an informed decision on which one is right for you.
 Telescope - Different types
4) Price
Price is a very important factor, especially if you are just starting out as an astronomy enthusiast. You may not be certain you and your family will have a long-term interest in looking through a telescope, and therefore may not want to spend a lot on a first telescope. There are many reasonably priced, high-quality beginner's scopes that can reveal incredible wonders, while helping you define your particular viewing interest. Alternatively, if you feel your interest in amateur astronomy will last, investing in a more capable and more expensive telescope is worthwhile.
In closing, let's re-visit some of the most important factors to consider:
• Aperture: A telescope's aperture, or diameter, relates to what you'll be able to see and how much detail will be observable. Essentially: the larger the aperture, the more you'll see.
• Size and portability: The best telescope for you is the one you'll use most often. A huge, optically wonderful scope will bring little joy if it's always stuck in a closet!
• Optical design: Depending on your goals and budget, choosing one telescope optical design over another can help simplify your ultimate decision.
• Price: A modest investment in a telescope can provide years of family fun.
Be sure you don't forget the most important factor of all, to have FUN!
|
