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First Telescope Buying Guide - Avoid Scams
Your first telescope would be most likely a Refractor (Lenses) or a Reflector (Mirrors). Other high priced telescopes use both Lenses and Mirrors.
Remember: The power x (150x, 250x) of a telescope is a con (a scam). The amount of light a telescope can gather is it's true measure. Furthermore, magnification over 40x requires more light gathering and anything at 150x plus would be a blur if the telescope was under $500.00. At high magnifications practical telescopes are in the thousands.
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How to decide?
Quite often, the purchase of a first telescope is based on little or no information. Unfortunately, the consumer usually ends up with an inadequate telescope. That is, it will not perform to expectations due to its size, poor optical quality, and inadequate mounting. They are very frustrating to use, and can quash any interest the user may have in exploring the night sky. Generally, these are the typical telescopes found in department stores or camera shops. On the other hand, some people “bite off more than they can chew” when purchasing a first telescope. That is, they may purchase a scope that is too big and cumbersome, or too complicated. Invariably, in both circumstances, the telescope often ends up collecting dust in a closet.
To help avoid either of the previous scenarios, consider the information and guidelines listed below when searching for a first scope.
What objects do you want to observe?
For those who are interested primarily in viewing the brighter objects, such as Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon, a small telescope is adequate. For example, a 70mm diameter refractor will provide a pleasing view. If fainter, deep space objects, such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters are the objects of choice, a telescope with greater light-gathering ability (larger aperture size) is needed. In such instances, common choices by the novice are 4.5" to 6" diameter reflectors, or 90mm to 100mm diameter refractors, which will provide better views. Overall, however, all things being equal, the larger the aperture size, the brighter and more detailed the object will appear.
Where is your observing site located?
There is some debate as to which telescope design and size is best suited for a particular observing location. Contrary to popular belief, the choice does not necessarily depend upon sky-glow, or light pollution conditions. A common misconception is that a large telescope is more adversely affected by light pollution than is a small telescope. Such an assertion is unsubstantiated. That is, although it is true that larger telescopes will amplify the sky-glow in light-polluted areas more so than smaller scopes, they will also amplify the light emitted from the object itself more, thus providing a better view.
Essentially, image contrast is the key issue. Furthermore, because larger telescopes can utilize special filters (known as Light Pollution Reduction filters) more effectively than smaller telescopes, the contrast between the sky background and the object is further improved. At least two points should be kept in mind when considering such filters; they can be expensive, and they do have limitations. Overall, as noted by Gary Seronik in the February, 2002 issue of Sky & Telescope Magazine (p. 124), “the advantages of a large telescope in a bright sky are exactly the same as under a dark sky — superior light gathering and resolution for superior views.”
So what can I see?
The Moon: The Moon is a target that will show tremendous detail in an decent small scope. Even a telescope as small as 2.4 inches (60mm) will reveal a wealth of detail. You'll be able to see craters, mountains, "seas", and a number of other fine details. The Moon rarely dissapoints a first time viewer!
Mercury: Mercury is hard to see because it never gets far enough away from the Sun. If you do manage to locate it, at best you will only see the phase (no surface detail can be seen even with large telescopes).
Venus: Venus is also is also fairly close to the Sun and harder to see. When you do see it expect only to see its phase in a telescope; no surface detail will be seen since the planet's surface is permanently hidden by a thick, white atmosphere.
Mars: Mars is easily seen in a small telescope, but often a big disappointment to first time viewers. It only reveals subtle detail when it is close to Earth (and this occurs for a period of about 2 months every few years). When Mars is close to Earth, you might see a white polar cap, and perhaps some surface markings. The biggest problem with Mars is that it's a small planet. Even at high powers in a large telescope Mars at best looks about the same size as atennis ball viewed (with the naked eye) from about ten feet!
Jupiter: Jupiter is the planet that consistently shows the most detail in amateur telescopes. However, even at high magnification Jupiter will only look about the size of some of the medium sized craters on the Moon. On any given night you'd be able to see cloud bands, the 4 Galilean Moons, and maybe the Great Red Spot.
Saturn: Saturn will show its glorious rings, but the planet will not look too large even at magnification of around 100x. Keen eyed people (with good viewing conditions) might also spot some subtle cloud bands. Saturn's largest moon Titan will also be visible nearby but only as a moderately bright dot.
Uranus: You'll need to know exactly where to look to find Uranus. At best it will look like a small green dot. Even in large telescopes Uranus shows only as a small, featureless disk!
Neptune: Like Uranus, you'll need to know exactly where to look, and at best Neptune will look like a somewhat dim small blue dot (it won't really look any different than a star). No amateur scope can see any detail on Neptune.
Pluto: Pluto is out of the question for a small telescope; it generally requires an experienced observer using at least an 8 inch telescope (in a dark sky with a highly detailed finder chart) just to see it as a very faint dot!
The Sun: You can look at the Sun with a small telescope, however you MUST USE A SPECIAL FILTER FOR OBSERVING THE SUN WITH ANY TELESCOPE. Failure to do so will result in permanent blindness. DO NOT attempt solar observation unless you are sure you have the correct special equipment AND you know proper procedures. Solar observation is safe if you adhere to proper procedures! You can see sunspots and solar "granulation". If in doubt about observing the Sun, have an experienced amateur astronomer with you prior to solar observing... your eyesight is at stake!
Stars: Stars stars will look brighter in a telescope but they will not look any larger. No amateur telescope has anything close to the power required to make a star look larger! They are simply too far away...
Deep Sky Objects: In addition to planets and the Moon, there are a number of other objects within the reach of a small telescope. These are the so called "deep sky" objects. These include galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, and double stars. However, the quality of the view you will have on these kinds of objects depends to a very large degree on how much light pollution you have in your area (more on light pollution below). To locate most of these objects you'll have to use a star atlas (first you'll have to learn the basic constellations in order to find your way around the sky). Again, don't expect to see galaxies and nebulae like they appear in most magazine photos. Most galaxies and nebulae appear as "fuzzy patches of light" in small (and even large) telescopes. Star clusters and double stars are often quite beautiful and are good targets for small telescopes.
REFLECTOR REPORT CARDS
(used in excellent seeing conditions and with no light pollution; adapted from Astronomy Magazine):E = excellent; VG = very good; G = good; F = fair; P = poor.
Small aperture (3" to 6") reflectors:
Price range: $120-$1000
Portability: E
Ease of setup: VG
Ease of use: VG+
Performance on the Moon: E
Performance on comets: F
Performance on double stars: VG
Performance on galaxies and nebulas: F
Performance on planets: VG
Medium aperture (8" to 12.5") reflectors:
Price range: $400-$14,000
Portability: F
Ease of setup: F
Ease of use: VG+
Performance on the Moon: E
Performance on comets: VG
Performance on double stars: VG
Performance on galaxies and nebulas: VG
Performance on planets: VG
Large aperture (13" and larger) reflectors:
Price range: $1200-$36,000
Portability: F
Ease of setup: P+
Ease of use: G+
Performance on the Moon: VG
Performance on comets: E
Performance on double stars: E
Performance on galaxies and nebulas: E
Performance on planets: E
REFRACTOR REPORT CARDS
(used in excellent seeing conditions and with no light pollution; adapted from Astronomy Magazine):
E = excellent; VG = very good; G = good; F = fair; P = poor.
Small aperture (2" to 3") "toy store/bargain" refractors:
Price range: $100-$200
Portability: E
Ease of setup: E
Ease of use: F
Performance on the Moon: F
Performance on comets: P
Performance on double stars: P
Performance on galaxies and nebulas: P
Performance on planets: P
Small aperture (3" to 4") achromatic refractors:
Price range: $200-$800
Portability: E
Ease of setup: G
Ease of use: G
Performance on the Moon: E
Performance on comets: F
Performance on double stars: VG
Performance on galaxies and nebulas: F
Performance on planets: VG
Medium aperture (4" to 5") apochromatic refractors:
Price range: $700-$10,000
Portability: VG
Ease of setup: E
Ease of use: VG
Performance on the Moon: E
Performance on comets: VG
Performance on double stars: VG
Performance on galaxies and nebulas: G
Performance on planets: VG
Large aperture (5" to 8") achromatic refractors:
Price range: $800-$3200
Portability: F to VG
Ease of setup: G+
Ease of use: VG
Performance on the Moon: E
Performance on comets: VG
Performance on double stars: E
Performance on galaxies and nebulas: G
Performance on planets: E
Large aperture (6" to 8") apochromatic refractors:
Price range: $5000-$27,000 and up
Portability: F
Ease of setup: F
Ease of use: VG
Performance on the Moon: E
Performance on comets: VG
Performance on double stars: E
Performance on galaxies and nebulas: G
Performance on planets: E
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Guide created: 08/10/09 (updated 09/19/09)
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