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Refractor Telescope

Refractor Telescope

A Guide For First Time Telescope Buyers

For starters, this guide is going to help answer a few of the questions that might be floating in your head as a first time telescope buyer. The internet has granted us unlimited access to some of the best astronomy information in existence, make use of it!

What Different Types Of Telescopes are there?

There are, typically, two Types Of Telescopes on the market. The first type of telescope and typically the most effective for viewing planetary bodies is the refractor telescope. Refractor telescopes use lenses to magnify the image of space and bring it to your eye at an Eye Piece at the base of the telescope. The second type of telescope, which is found to be more effective for viewing deep space, is the Reflector Telescope. Reflector Telescopes use a mirror technology first invented by Isaac Newton. Rather than use lenses to magnify the light waves, a parabolic mirror is used to reflect the image into a focus point and then reflected into an eyepiece that runs along the side of the telescope.

Which type of telescope is right for me?

Most beginner astronomers would likely start with a refractor telescope. The amount of maintenance and care that is needed to be given to this type of telescope is a lot less. A reflector telescope might need more care and maintenance, but it will prove to be more effective in the long run. One thing to keep in mind is your usage for these telescopes. If you plan to take your telescope camping and hiking, having something smaller and easier to travel with might be your deciding factor. Some astronomers are fortunate enough to have a great view of the skies from their own backyards, so having a top of the line telescope that doesn't need to travel much can be very effective for them.

Ok, but what about the cost?

There are very many High Quality telescopes that can still fit into a budget. You might expect to pay somewhere between $100-200 for a telescope that fits the needs of any amateur astronomer. But keep in mind your increasing likeness toward this hobby. As with most products, the more money that you are willing to spend the better quality your telescope is going to be.

Refractor Telescopes are more travel-friendly, easier to use and maintain and very effective tools for viewing space. A great refractor might be the best choice for someone buying their first telescope.

Reflector Telescopes are going to be more effective at bringing all of the light and coloration to your eyes without distorting. They might be a bit bigger in size and might require more care and maintenance, but it's definitely worth the effort if you are getting serious about astronomy.

About the Author

Kirby Yardley is an expert astronomer. He shops at MagnifySpace.com!

Check out great deals on telescopes at MagnifySpace.com

refractor telescope?

how much better would a 90mm refractor compared to a 70mm refractor assuming equal quality of optics? how much of an upgrade would it be?

Although a 90mm will gather 65% more light, I would still consider it too small to be a satisfying astronomical instrument. I find even the 100mm refractor I own to be on the small side. You're much better off spending the same money on a Dobsonian reflector. Even a 6" Dob will give you nearly three times as much light as a 90mm refractor, and will be better mounted and easier to use. Small refractors are little more than toys.

Sky-Watcher ED Refractor Telescope Series

Portable refractor telescope Photo Mugs This is a refracting telescope with a portable stand. It has a mahogany tube with brass fittings as well as a brass draw tube and fittings. There is a small brass refracting telescope (finderscope) at the eyepiece-end of the barrel. The telescope belonged to Rev. George Fisher (1794-1873) who went to the Arctic as an Astronomer with Captain David Buchan in HMS Dorothea in 1818 and with Captain Wil...

Using the 28-inch refracting telescope at Royal Observatory, Greenwich Photo Mugs This telescope is the largest refractor in Britain and the seventh largest in the world. It was installed in 1893 and was used mainly for double-star observations. A characteristic onion-shaped dome, originally built in 1893 of papier mache and later rebuilt in fibreglass, covers it.....

Carson Red Planet Series Refractor Telescope with Tripod - 50 - 100 x 90mm - RP-200RP-200 Carson Red Planet Series Refractor Telescope with Tripod - 50 - 100 x 90mm...

Celestron Short 70mm Rich Field Refractor Telescope With 400mm Focal Length $39.99 This Celestron rich field scope is compact and portable. The glass optics are fully coated for clear and crisp images. Great for a giant finder scope or very light and portable second scope. This handy little scope comes with a dove tail mounting bar that fits any CG5 type mount. Also works with any photo tripod. SPECIFICATIONS OPTICAL DESIGN: Refractor APERTURE: 70mm FOCAL LENGTH: 400mm FOCAL...

Tele Vue 2 Everbrite Mirror Star (90°) Diagonal with Brass Clamp Ring -Black Satin Finish $284.95 Whiter and brighter images. Simply put, that is the benefit the Everbrite mirror coating. This exotic, dielectric, nonmetallic coating is 99% reflective across the full visual spectrum, resulting in the "whitest," most natural image available. The coating is painstakingly applied to Pyrex with a surface accuracy of a 1/10 wave flatness. The Everbrite is offered in both 1¼" and 2" models. The diag...

TASCO 49070800 SPACESTATION 70AZ REFRACTOR TELESCOPE $116.04 TASCO 49070800 SPACESTATION 70AZ REFRACTOR TELESCOPE70MM LENS; OBJECTIVE LENS DIA: 800MM ; EYEPIECE: 25MM (32X), 10MM (80X), 4MM (200X) ; PARTIALLY PRE-ASSEMBLED; STURDY DESIGN;...

Celestron 21061 AstroMaster 70 AZ Refractor Telescope $99.99 TE3) Celestron astromaster 70AZ scope...

Celestron 21024 FirstScope Telescope $31.46 In 1609, world-renowned Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei, introduced an elementary telescope to the growing astronomy community, which sparked interest into the mysterious night sky for centuries to come. Four centuries later, in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, Celestron offers the portable FirstScope Telescope. The FirstScope pays tribute to Galileo Galilei and many of ...

CELESTRON Powerseeker 50 Refractor Telescope $39.45 The Celestron® PowerSeeker 50 telescope is a great way to open up the wonders of the universe to the aspiring astronomer. It's portable yet powerful with ample optical performance to excite any newcomer to the world of amateur astronomy....

Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) $32.51 Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope has been written for the many amateur astronomers who already own, or are intending to purchase, a refracting telescope – perhaps to complement their existing arsenal of larger reflecting telescopes – or for the specialist who requires a particular refractor for serious astronomical applications or nature studies. Four hundred year ago, during t...

Making a Refractor Telescope $34.95 This is a hands-on book for the amateur who has always wanted to make a refractor. The author adopts the role of coach and guides the reader, step by step, through all aspects of making a doublet lens; from the characteristics of glass, abrasives, and pitch to methods for mounting the finished lens. The author's spreadsheet programs, included on CD-ROM, provide a direct approach to designing a wel...

Fun With Telescopes $1.99 Here's a list of the topics you'll find inside: Has The Night Sky Always Fascinated You Since You Were A Child? Do You Often Wonder What Lies Beyond The Dark Expanse Above? Do You Want To Fathom The Mysteries Of The Infinite Universe?Here's a list of the topics you'll find inside: - History Of Telescopes - The Evolution Of The Telescope - Historical Timeline For Telescopes- How Telescopes Work- Bu...

Terra Star 60mm Refracting Telescope with Carry Bag $42.99 "The Meade NG-60 60mm refracting telescope is an excellent first telescope for the beginning astronomer or the casual observer of land or sky. Supplied complete with two eyepieces, a fine achromatic objective lens, a fully adjustable aluminum tripod, and the modern, highly functional Meade NG-series altazimuth mounting, the NG-60 easily surpasses commonly available, lower-quality introductory tele...

Orion SpaceProbe 3 Altazimuth Reflector Telescope $99.99 If you're looking for an affordable entry-level telescope for that beginning astronomy enthusiast, our SpaceProbe 3 Altaz is the perfect choice. Great for all-around stargazing, this highly portable, uncomplicated scope is just the right size and weight for the entire family, and just the right price for parents. This is a quality telescope, with a 3" (76mm) glass primary mirror mounted in a sturd...

Meade NG-70 70mm/2.8 inch Altazimuth-Mount Achromatic Refractor Telescope $79.95 Some of the worldâ?TMs top astronomers got started with a telescope just like this one â?" and so will you. A quality refracting telescope for land or sky viewing. It's perfect for observing the Moon, planets and land objects like mountains, trees and wildlife....

Orion Observer 70mm Altazimuth Refractor Telescope $139.99 Our Observer 70 is the perfect telescope for that budding astronomer in your family. This scope excels in both quality and performance. Its 70mm multi-coated achromatic objective lens - focal length 700mm focal length (f/10) - gathers 36% more light than a 60mm. And it's made of glass, not plastic, as you'd find in many department store models. The optical tube is supported on a sturdy aluminum tr...

BARSKA 40070 Starwatcher Compact Refractor Telescope with Table Top Tripod And Carrying Case $59.39 Barska 300x Starwatcher Refractor Telescope for aspiring astronomers... SAVINGS PRICED! Everything you need to get your start in astronomy! The Barska 300x Starwatcher Refractor Telescope is as powerful as it is easy to set up and includes everything necessary to begin the adventure of a lifetime including telescope, finderscope, eyepieces, mount and tripod. You also get the new beginner's version...

Celestron 52229 60mmRefractor Zoom Spotting Scope $87.50 Celestron 20-60x60mm Zoom Refractor Straight Spotting Scope, Green 52229...

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