An observatory is a telescope building that provides a permanent and secure space for a telescope to be used for long-term astronomical observations and research. They are typically designed with features such as a dome that can be opened and closed to protect the telescope and control the amount of light entering the viewing area….
Yes, most of modern telescope eyepieces are universal, however older eyepieces are not universally interchangeable. The interchangeability of telescope eyepieces depends on the telescope’s design and the focal length of the eyepiece. Telescopes that use a 1.25-inch or 2-inch diameter barrel system can accept eyepieces of those sizes. However, some telescopes, particularly older or entry-level…
If you have inherited a telescope, there are several steps you can take to determine its condition and usability. First, carefully inspect the telescope for any visible damage or wear, such as dents, scratches, or misalignments in the components. Check the optics, such as the lenses or mirrors, for any cracks or chips. Next, assess…
For planet viewing, refractor telescopes are the best telescopes for beginners because they have excellent contrast and resolution for viewing the Moon and planets up close. They are also the easiest telescope type to use and require the least maintenance. However, for more advanced planet viewing, especially if you are interested in astrophotography, you will…
Thinking about buying a dobsonian? It’s a big decision and one that’s not made lightly. I have laid out a lot of information here that will help you. -The Telescope Nerd If you are considering the purchase of a Dobsonian telescope you are making a great decision. This type of telescope offers you remarkable light…
Barlow lenses are diverging optical devices used to increase magnification in telescopes and microscopes. These negative lenses extend the effective focal length of optical systems, doubling or tripling magnification without replacing existing components. Barlow lenses are available in 2x or 3x magnification powers and come in achromatic or apochromatic versions. Common specifications include 10-30 mm…
The Optical Tube Assembly (OTA), also called the optical tube, is a part of the telescope that houses the optical components, such as the primary and secondary mirrors. Knowing the design and function of the OTA is crucial as it determines the operational capabilities, resolution, and sensitivity. The primary function of the optical tube assembly…
A telescope focuser is a part of the telescope that adjusts the eyepiece’s distance from the primary optical component to ensure sharp images. Knowing which type of focuser to use allows astronomers to improve the precision and clarity of an image. The primary function of the focuser is to adjust the position of the eyepiece…
A telescope filter is a part of a telescope that modifies wavelengths of light to enhance the visibility of celestial objects. Telescope filters function by selectively transmitting certain wavelengths of light. This selectivity enhances contrast and detail while protecting the eyes from excessively bright objects. Knowing which telescope filter to use for a specific observation…
A catadioptric telescope, or compound telescope, is a type of telescope that combines the principles of both reflection and refraction by using mirrors and lenses. Knowing how the mirrors and lenses work together is crucial to taking advantage of the full potential of catadioptric telescopes. A catadioptric telescope captures and focuses light from distant objects…
The first documented telescope was created in the Netherlands in 1608, when Hans Lippershey, an eyeglass maker, filed for the first patent for this optical device. While it wasn’t initially invented for astronomy, this design opened the door to an entirely new field of study. When Was the First Telescope Invented? The first telescope was…
The McDonald Observatory, otherwise known as the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, is located in Fort Worth, Texas, in the United States. During my trip around the United States, I spent a day visiting the observatory and it had a lot of events and scheduled things to do. From tours to other events, it seems like there is…
I take a lot of photographs of the night sky. These photos are usually less than 30 seconds in exposure length. But sometimes I catch a meteor! But, I also get airplanes in my photographs. So, how do you tell the difference? I managed to get this one photograph that has both a meteor and…
I took a trip to Arizona specifically to see the Grand Canyon. But while doing my research on what else to see in the state I realized that I could also visit this wonderful observatory with a long history (Which includes the discovery of Pluto). It is right inside Flagstaff Arizona which is only an…
An 8-inch telescope is an excellent option for those looking for an affordable spy glass that can see some impressive details. This binoculars can provide stunning views. This type of spy glass can see a lot. It can see objects up to 2,000 times fainter than the human eye. This makes it perfect for viewing faint objects…
Are you interested in astronomy? Do you want to view the stars and planets up close? If so, then you need to buy a telescope. Telescopes allow you to see things that are far away in incredible detail. We will teach you how to buy a perfect telescope for your needs. We will discuss the different types…
“A Universe from Nothing” by Lawrence Krauss presents the argument that the universe emerged from a quantum vacuum, a state of “nothing” filled with virtual particles and antiparticles constantly appearing and disappearing. Krauss asserts that the laws of physics can explain the origins of the universe without the need for a divine creator. In “Packing…
The picture below shows a picture I took of the constellation Sagittarius. The bright object is Jupiter. This was done with a 30 second exposure and 800 speed 35 mm film. At The Bottom of this page I have a video Tutorial of this if you prefer to watch a video. Some basic tips for…
How to take Moon Pictures with a DSLR and a telescope (How to connect your digital camera to a telescope) This is a first tutorial – There is a whole lot more you can do with this but we will start by talking about how easy it is to take pictures of the moon using…
The Telescope has a four hundred year history and in this time there have been a lot of astronomers and telescope makers who have built telescopes, made discoveries and advanced astronomy in remarkable ways. These links are to articles written on this website about many of these famous people. This is a list that is…
One of the most respected manufacturers of telescopes If you are looking for quality and a company with a very long track record of making top of the line telescopes then you are looking for a Celestron telescope. Here is a selection of some of their telescopes that you can purchase through amazon.com. They run…
100 Year old refractor still in perfect condition The Ladd Observatory is part of the physics department at Brown University in Providence, RI. The observatory opened in 1891 and it houses a variety of instruments including a gorgeous 12″ refractor telescope made by John A. Brashear. They have one night a week (tuesday) open to…
I have three separate lists that all come from the official amazon number and this list is updated hourly by amazon.
William Herschel was a British astronomer, telescope maker, and musician known for discovering the planet Uranus in 1781. He made significant contributions to the field of astronomy and telescope technology as an observational astronomer, telescope maker, and scientist. Herschel discovered Uranus through a combination of luck, persistence, and dedication to astronomy. He happened to be…
The Maksutov-Cassegrain (Mak) telescope is a type of catadioptric telescope that employs both mirrors and lenses to produce an image. Its design incorporates a thick meniscus corrector lens and a spherical primary mirror, efficiently reducing optical aberrations. The Maksutov is recognized for delivering high contrast, particularly in planetary observation, and has become a preferred choice…
The Cassegrain reflector is a type of telescope that uses a combination of a concave primary mirror and a convex secondary mirror to gather and refocus light, producing magnified images of distant celestial objects. Knowing the interplay between these mirrors is vital to optimizing observations with the Cassegrain design. The Cassegrain telescope’s ability to provide…
The Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope (SCT) is a compound telescope that combines mirrors and lenses to create an image. The SCT uses a spherical primary mirror, a secondary mirror, and a corrector plate to correct spherical aberration, resulting in a compact and adaptable instrument. The SCT is known for its portability and versatility among both amateur astronomers…
Telescope mounts are mechanical structures that support and control telescopes. Mounts consist of a base, support system, and mounting head, enabling precise positioning and tracking of celestial objects. The base provides stability, the support system allows smooth motion, and the mounting head secures the telescope. Telescope mounts come in various types, each designed for specific…
Telescopes are designed, manufactured and distributed by a wide variety of companies. Each brand distinguishes itself through unique specializations, ranging from advanced technology and premium optics to affordability and user-friendliness. This diversity allows astronomers to determine the optimal telescope for a specific observation. Knowing a specific telescope brand’s manufacturers provides observers with deep insight into…
The eyepiece, often called the ocular lens or telescope eye lens, plays a critical role in determining magnification, field of view and overall clarity of celestial observations. The eyepiece is a part of the telescope through which an observer looks. The primary function of the eyepiece is to magnify the image rendered by the telescope’s…
The objective lens is a part of a refracting telescope that collects and focuses light from distant objects. Knowing the design and material of an objective lens is crucial as it influences the telescope’s field of view, magnification, and overall performance. The shape of the objective lens is convex, meaning it bulges outward. This design…
Knowing the anatomy of a telescope is fundamental to determining the telescope types, functions and abilities. Recognizing the main parts and how they work together allows astronomers to customize their setup based on their observational goals. Telescope parts refer to the components that allow telescopes to collect, focus and magnify light for observation. Each component…
A Newtonian telescope, invented by Sir Isaac Newton, is a type of reflecting telescope. Newtonian telescope uses a concave primary mirror and a flat secondary mirror to gather and focus light from distant celestial objects. Newtonian telescope is known for its simple and efficient design, making it popular among amateur astronomers. It provides wide field…
Dobsonian telescopes are modified Newtonian reflector telescopes popularized by John Dobson in 1965. Amateur astronomers prefer Dobsonian telescopes for their large aperture, low cost, and portability. Dobsonian telescopes use a concave mirror as the objective lens to collect and focus light from distant objects. Dobsonian telescopes are available in sizes ranging from small portable models…
A reflecting telescope works by using mirrors to gather and focus light from the cosmos, providing detailed images of distant celestial objects. The primary mirror, which is concave in shape, captures the light, which is then focused onto a smaller area. A secondary mirror, positioned at a 45-degree angle, redirects the focused light towards the…
The diffraction limit is the highest angular resolution a telescope is able to achieve. This limit refers to the theoretical maximum if nothing besides the size of a telescope’s light-collecting area affects the quality of the images. This limit is a direct consequence of the nature of light waves. When light waves encounter an obstacle…
The field of view (FOV) in a telescope defines the extent of the observable universe that is visible through the eyepiece at any given moment. Knowing the FOV allows astronomers to determine the ideal eyepiece for a specific observation. There are two distinct types of FOV: the apparent field of view (AFOV) and the true…
The light gathering power (LGP) refers to the telescope’s ability to collect light. Knowing the LGP of a telescope is important because the more light a telescope can gather, the better its ability to observe faint objects in the night sky. The LGP is measured in terms of the area of the telescope’s aperture, usually…
Telescope magnification, often referred to as “power” or “telescope zoom,” defines how much a telescope can enlarge the appearance of distant objects. Magnification is the factor by which a telescope amplifies the size of an object compared to its size as seen with the naked eye. A telescope’s magnifying power is determined by dividing the…
Focal ratio, also known as the “f-number,” “f-ratio,” or “aperture ratio,” defines the relationship between the focal length of a telescope and the diameter of its primary optic. The focal ratio is calculated by dividing the telescope’s focal length by the diameter of the aperture. Knowing the focal ratio is crucial as it serves as…
Focal length is the distance between the objective lens or mirror of a telescope and the point where incoming light converges to form an image. Knowing the focal length allows observers to comprehend key aspects of a telescope’s performance. To calculate the focal length of a telescope or lens, measure the distance from the lens…
Telescope aperture is the size of the primary optical element. Knowing the aperture of a telescope allows observers to understand the light-gathering ability and resolution. For amateur telescopes, apertures range from 50mm to 130mm in diameter. Knowing the aperture diameter size also allows telescope users to understand the focal ratio and focal length. These values…
A telescope works by collecting and focusing light from distant objects. The objective gathers and bends light. The objective is either a lens, in refractor telescopes, or a mirror in reflector telescopes. Light is then focused into the eyepiece, which magnifies the image, enabling detailed observation of distant celestial bodies. Atmospheric conditions significantly impact the…
The Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes represent different eras in space observation technology. Hubble was launched in 1990 and observes primarily in visible and ultraviolet light. James Webb, launched in 2021, focuses on infrared wavelengths. James Webb’s 6.5-meter mirror dwarfs Hubble’s 2.4-meter mirror, allowing it to collect more light and detect fainter objects. James…
Chandra X-Ray Observatory: Launch Date, Mission, Discoveries, Location NASA launched the Chandra X-Ray Observatory on July 23, 1999 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. Chandra is a sophisticated space-based telescope designed to detect X-ray emission from hot regions of the universe. The observatory orbits Earth at an altitude of approximately 139,000 km in a highly elliptical orbit….
Collimation is the alignment of the optical elements of a telescope, ensuring that light travels accurately through the optical path to bring celestial objects into sharp focus. Knowing how to collimate a telescope is crucial for optimal astronomical observations. To collimate a telescope, start by consulting the manual as different types require specific approaches, especially…
What is a Kepler space telescope? Kepler space telescope was a NASA observatory launched in 2009 to search for exoplanets outside our solar system. William J. Borucki led the mission. Kepler orbited the Sun 225 million kilometers from Earth. The telescope observed 150,000 stars using a 0.95-meter mirror and 42 CCD camera. Kepler detected 2,600+…
The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory was a space-based observatory launched by NASA on April 5, 1991. It weighed over 15 tons, making it the heaviest payload ever flown at the time. The observatory operated in a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 450 km for nine years until June 4, 2000. Compton Gamma Ray…
The Spitzer Space Telescope was NASA’s infrared observatory launched in 2003. Spitzer operated for 16 years, detecting light from cool objects like distant galaxies and exoplanets. Its 85 cm mirror and cryogenic cooling enabled groundbreaking infrared astronomy discoveries. Spitzer’s mission aimed to explore the cosmos in unprecedented infrared detail. Spitzer made numerous groundbreaking discoveries during…
How Did Galileo’s Telescope Impact History? Galileo Galilei was the first to point a telescope skyward, changing the course of telescope history. After news of Hans Lippershey’s telescope spread, Galileo quickly created his own with stronger magnification. This allowed him to be the first man to peer into the cosmos, essentially founding modern astronomy. When…
The James Webb Space Telescope is the largest and most advanced space observatory ever built. It features a 6.5-meter primary mirror and operates in the infrared spectrum. JWST conducts infrared astronomy to investigate the origins of first stars and galaxies, planet formation, and exoplanet atmospheres. The telescope’s instrument suite includes four main instruments: Near-Infrared Camera,…
What is an Optical Telescope? An optical telescope is a telescope that uses lenses or mirrors to collect and focus light from distant objects, such as stars, galaxies, and planets. The light is magnified and projected into an eyepiece or detector, allowing astronomers to study the objects in detail, from a great distance. Who Invented…
The history of space telescopes dates back to the early 20th century when scientists began to propose the use of telescopes, orbiting in space, to observe the universe. Throughout history, telescopes have led to significant advancements in our understanding of the universe. Who Designed the First Space Telescope? Astronomer Lyman Spitzer, considered the father of…
Throughout history the innovation of telescopes allowed us to explore the universe and led to countless scientific advancements and discoveries. These discoveries have improved our understanding of the universe. The history of telescopes shows a 400 years of improvements and innovations of telescopes that changed the scientific world. How Have Telescopes Contributed to Astronomy? Telescopes…
The first documentation of a telescope appeared in the Netherlands in 1608. This instrument was a staple in the Scientific Revolution, bringing numerous inventors to create their own with variations and improvements. As telescopes have advanced throughout history, as have their magnification, clarity and overall abilities. When Was the First Telescope Designed? The first recorded…
Kemble’s Cascade is an asterism in the constellation Camelopardalis featuring more than 20 stars, with the open cluster NGC 1502 at one end. This star pattern is an unofficial arrangement of stars known as an asterism and is not one of the recognized constellations in the night sky. HIP 18505 is the star in the…
Finding the Winter Hexagon will give you a fresh viewpoint on the winter night sky. It is made up of six brilliant stars that surround the constellation of Orion in the southeast (as seen from the northern hemisphere). The Winter Hexagon is an excellent naked-eye target in January and February. Going clockwise in the hexagon,…
Variable stars are crucial for testing our theories of stellar development, from bloated red giants nearing the end of their lives to binary stars engaged in deadly gravitational dances. They play a significant role in stellar astrophysics. However, extrinsic variables and intrinsic variables are the two basic categories of variable stars. Intrinsic variables are stars…
The Pleiades or the Seven Sisters (M45) is an open star cluster that originated from a huge cloud of dust and gas around 125 million years ago. The stars of M45 are so bright for the high rate of fusion at the cores. However, they are located in the constellation Taurus having a distance of…
The Hyades Star Cluster is the closest cluster to the solar system containing myriads of stars some of which can be observed with the unaided eye. It is located at a distance of 150 light-years away from us. The four brightest stars Gamma Tauri, Delta 1 Tauri, Epsilon Tauri, and Theta Taur makes a V…
Imagine when Earth comes between the sun and the moon and the shadow of the earth falls on the moon. This darkens the moon and it happens only when the moon is full. The outer lighter shadow is called the penumbra, and the darker core is called the umbra. Penumbral shadow is hard to detect…
Sometimes stargazing does not need to memorize all the constellations because like the Summer Triangle, the best star patterns to observe are not always constellations but asterisms. An asterism is a pattern of stars not included in the official 88 constellations. The Summer Triangle is an asterism, made of 3 bright stars Vega, Deneb, and…
Polaris, the North star is located in the constellation named Ursa Minor. It is very close to the north celestial pole of the earth. It is very easy to identify from the northern horizon using the little dipper as a reference. It seems like all the stars and constellation orbits Polaris throughout the year. But…
The Big Dipper constellation is a group of stars belonging to the constellation Ursa Major or the Big Bear. It is easy to spot on any dark night in the Northern Hemisphere. The Big Dipper with its neighbor the Little Dipper can be seen rotating around the North star Polaris throughout the year. In summer…
The Lagoon Nebula is an emission nebula with an active area of star formation full of gas and dust. It is located in the constellation Sagittarius around 5000 light years away. We can see the glow of the embedded star cluster NGC 6530. It has a luminosity of magnitude 6 that makes it a nice…
M57 (The Ring Nebula) is a planetary nebula located in the Lyra constellation at a distance of 2,300 light years from the earth. The shell of gas was produced by a red giant that has to evolve away. The expansion rate of this nebula indicates that it is 10,000 years old. Quick Guide to Observe…
The International Space Station (ISS) can be observed through a telescope, offering a captivating viewing experience. The ISS is one of the brightest objects in the night sky, with a maximum magnitude of -5.9, making it an ideal object for telescopic observation. To view the ISS successfully, a telescope with an aperture of at least…
Comets are a mixture of ice, frozen gasses, dust, and rocks. Scientists think that comets are the debris from materials that formed the solar system initially around 4.6 billion years ago. Comets follow elliptical orbits around the sun. The more it gets closer to the sun, the faster it is pulled in. Some comets fall…
Telescope has revealed the interesting fact that all stars are not alone. Sometimes they are accompanied by one or other multiple stars and form star systems. Double stars that are bound gravitationally are called binary star systems. According to the research around 85% of the stars of the Milky Way are in binary pairs unlike…
The Orion Nebula (M42) is a bright and visible nebula that can be seen with the naked eye under dark skies, but is best viewed with a telescope for more detail. Even a small telescope with a diameter of 60mm can reveal the nebula’s faint, misty shape, while larger telescopes with a diameter of at…