There are several different Types Of Telescopes. Each has there merits, and it is a good idea to know the difference when looking to Buy Telescopes. In this article, you will soon discover the main differences in the different types of telescopes, and find out which is the best to buy to get the most from astronomy. There are many different types of telescopes. However out of all the different types of telescopes there are only 2 which we really need to focus on. The reason is price, and the ease of finding them. The 2 main different types of telescopes are: 1. Reflector Telescopes 2. Refractor Telescopes There are also another type which will often be found, especially on the new style of computerized Go To Telescopes, such as the Meade ETX range, and that is the Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes. In the different types of telescopes let us look at refractor telescopes first. Refractor telescopes are by far the easiest telescope to use, and most known. Refractor telescopes were first invented by Galileo Galilee. His famous design is now the default image that comes to mind when we think of telescopes, and is also the design found in binoculars. The Refractor Telescope is a long tube design. The light enters from the top and travels through the lens through the front, and goes towards the back where lenses lead to the eye. The great benefit with refractor telescopes is that it is all enclosed meaning that dust cant get inside, which ultimately means less maintenance. This meaning obviously a telescope which will work for longer. The tripod and mount is also great and allows the ease of use, which is great for children and people who dont want to fiddle about with Equatorial mounts and other types which require proper adjustment. The problem with refractors is that they are very expensive. Due to the lenses being very expensive they are only feasible in small sizes. If you want a big telescope, then refractors are not the best move. Let us look at reflector Telescopes Now. These telescopes were first invented by Isaac Newton. They are great because they can be made into very large designs. Observatories are more likely to have something based off a reflector rather than a refractor, due to cost verses performance metrics. The reflector has a much wider tube. As light enters the open top, it travels to the back of the telescope where it meats a mirror. This mirror focuses light as well as magnifies it. The light then travels back up the telescope towards the top where it meets a Secondary Mirror which is on a spider mount. The light is focused through lenses on the side of the telescope straight into your eye! This is an ingenious design and because of the ease of sourcing and making these parts, telescope manufacturers can make some very Large Telescopes. The benefit is that they can be very big and cost so little. The problem is that it is all open and will require maintenance every few years. The bonus is that compared to refractors the price difference is amazing. About the Author
I'm on the search of a good 'beginner' telescope... and I would like to have a reasonably good view of the planets and galaxies. Meade makes me think of portability and little space (which I dont have plenty) and Celestron I think offers me the posibility of learning how to locate objects by myself (which I think is better), let alone the light gathering power... I'll really appreciate any opinion. Thanks
Thanks for your reply Andrew... I live in California... and right now the weather is not so bad.
I see that once again the Buy a Dob brigade are out in force and completely failing to answer your question. A Dob is certainly an option but not the only one. For learning to locate objects yourself a Dob is not the best option since the only real method at your disposal is star hopping.
Which of these two particular scopes is best depends on a few factors. Where are you observing? If it is light polluted a computer can make things a lot easier and the advantages of larger aperture as lessened somewhat. Go out and have a look at the sky tonight. One quick test is Orion's sword. It should be an easy direct vision naked eye object. If it is remotely difficult to distinguish then light pollution is quite severe and I would be edging towards the ETX. The faint fuzzies will be out of reach anyway and so the principal advantage of the larger aperture is lost.
On the other hand, if your sky is reasonable where you propose observing then more aperture will make your experience more rewarding. I'm not sure that scope is your best option though: although I am not familiar with that particular scope and Celestron usually make good scopes, the focal ratio is fairly fast and the net weight seems light (read flimsy). I'd be inclined to a longer focal ratio (f/7-f/8) and heavier scope. You should be able to find something suitable.
I bought a Bresser Messier N130 a couple of years back and while it is more than that Celestron, it is still only similar money to an ETX. That is an f/7.7 scope weighing in at 17-18 kg. It is a basic scope but rock solid and generally good quality.
* The parts that make up the ETX telescope.
* The optical path, from the Maksutov corrective lens to the primary and flip mirrors.
* How to carry out basic and advanced set-up procedures.
* How to regulate motors and correct periodic errors.
* How to manage and update the AutoStar hand controller.
* How to acquire expertise utilizing the virtual model and learn how to find all of its function...
This adapter allows you to connect your Meade ETX/LX90/LX200 telescope to your PC through a high speed USB port, rather than through a slower serial port. This is particularly useful with the laptop computers most astronomers use to control their scopes in the field, as these portable computers now rarely include a DB-9 or DB-25 serial port. The USB adapter includes a short cable with a DB-9 conne...
Inserted into the telescope's eyepiece holder, these Barlow lenses respectively double or triple the power obtained when an eyepiece is used alone. Both Barlow lenses include two optical elements for high-resolution, color-corrected imaging....
If you have a SLR or DSLR camera and other maker/mount lenses, the Fotodiox Mount Adapters allow you to use your lenses on the film/digital camera body. Sharing lenses has some distinct advantages. Certain prime lens just can't be replaced, and you save cost of purchase lenses. ¡Fotodiox offers a range of adapter from large format to smaller format digital adapters. Adapting larger format lens,...
This size filter will fit any telescope with an optical tube diameter of 143-149mm. It is made with a sturdy aluminum outer cell that houses an optical thin film aperture. The thin film is a .002" thick black polymer. It is safe for direct viewing through the telescope and for photography. It is rated as a neutral density 5. You are buying this directly from the manufacturer and it has a 30 day mo...
This size filter will fit any telescope with an optical tube diameter of 98-105mm. It is made with a sturdy aluminum outer cell that houses an optical thin film aperture. The thin film is a .002" thick black polymer. It is safe for direct viewing through the telescope and for photography. It is rated as a neutral density 5. You are buying this directly from the manufacturer and it has a 30 day mon...
Explore the Galaxies far away, or the wildlife in this one, all at the touch of a button, with this fantastically priced, all-inclusive telescope. Now even the most novice of amateur astronomers can locate and explore the planets, asteroids, and comets, as well as nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, and hundreds of other deep-space objects, all at the push of a button with the included Autostar Han...
The Meade ETX range of telescopes is one of the most successful ever made. It is low-cost, has sold in its tens of thousands, and is available in almost every country. Here, ETX expert Mike Weasner reveals everything any amateur astronomer ever wanted to know about the telescope. First book dedicated entirely to the ETX. Written by an acknowledged world authority. Describes the "best" 100 objects ...
Hephaestus Books represents a new publishing paradigm, allowing disparate content sources to be curated into cohesive, relevant, and informative books. To date, this content has been curated from Wikipedia articles and images under Creative Commons licensing, although as Hephaestus Books continues to increase in scope and dimension, more licensed and public domain content is being added. We belie...
Sometimes looking through a straight finder scope can be a strain, making you crouch down and crane your neck. Well, you can call off the chiropractors because our right-angle finder scopes let you view in contortion-free comfort! What's more, they have a built-in Amici prism to provide a correctly oriented view - not upside-down as with standard finders. These achromatic, crosshair finders featur...
With a tube length of 11 inches, a 90mm (3.5") precision-polished fully multi-coated meniscus front lens, and solid uncompromising construction. the Apex 90 Compact Mak is a paragon of portability, optical excellence, and durability. Better still, it's one of the most versatile scopes we offer. The Apex 90 delivers bright, high-contrast images, and with a focal length of 1250mm (f/13.9) you also g...
This rare and hard to find Meade giant binocular has a popular and useful magnification of 11x80. The precise optical quality, superior clarity and light gathering and the features of this binocular make it a favorite for celestial and terrestrial observers. This giant 80mm binocular features the following quality characteristics: BAK-4 high transmission prisms for maximum brightness, Fully Multic...
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