Astronomy is a fascinating hobby. Peering into the vastness of space is an awe-inspiring thing to do. If you are interested in taking this journey of discovery, there are a few facts that you might want to know about (so you’re well-informed). Most of us are not experts, but if you’re reading this article, you’re interested (at least as an amateur astronomer) in looking toward the heavens.
So, the first thing you should consider (besides the cost), is the aperture size of your telescope. This refers to the diameter of your main optical lens. The bigger the diameter, the more light you are able to collect at one time; which translates to a clearer image. Based upon the level of desire, costs will vary.
This being said, we will focus on the two major types of consumer telescopes.
We’ll start with the REFRACTOR. This is your all-around basic type of telescope. It uses its lenses to bend (or refract) the light down to the eyepiece. Refractors are typically less expensive, mostly due to the simplicity of design. The varying magnifications of the eyepieces increase the closeness of the object viewed (although maybe not as clear as you would like with this type). This type of telescope tends to be very rugged, it should hold together well. The entire mechanism is self-contained, with exception of the external lens and eyepiece. This involves little maintenance. Other than keeping the external lens clean, there is not much more involved. There is a down-side however because of the smaller aperture size, telescopes of this type won’t give you the clearest observations of distant objects (such as galaxies or nebulae). Taking this into account however, these are very good starter models for you, or your children. But be wary – since they are so popular, there are a lot of cheap models out there; you might want to spend a little extra on this investment. You can get a good one for about a hundred bucks.
Now if you want a greater range, as well as the ability to view very distant objects with clarity then REFLECTOR telescopes are the way to go. These are the shorter, fatter telescopes you might have seen. Also called Newtonian Reflectors, these telescopes (with much bigger apertures) come in a more compact size, and give you the best bang for your buck. The images are reflected through a series of mirrors, sent to the eyepiece (just as refractor devices). The bigger aperture size allows for more light gathering capability. This distinction gives reflectors an edge up on their less expensive counterparts; however, optic systems of this type must be frequently maintained. This includes regular cleaning and alignment of the optical components.
One important difference between the two types is that reflectors perform best on a flat surface (such as a concrete slab); while refractors (which weigh less) can be set up easier on uneven ground.
There is one final thing to keep in mind – if you do choose to buy a telescope, the darker the sky, the better. The lights of a big city will drown out celestial objects, but a dark, moonless night will intensify the magnificent images.
