What can you see through a telescope, what planets? What and how can be observed with an amateur telescope. Independent astronomical observations of planets, stars, galaxies and nebulae at home What can you see with a telescope today
In this section we tried to put together the fragmentary information that can be found on the Internet. There is a lot of information, but it is not systematized and scattered. We, guided by many years of experience, have systematized our knowledge in order to simplify the choice for novice astronomy lovers.
Main characteristics of telescopes:
Typically, the name of a telescope indicates its focal length, lens diameter, and mount type.
For example, Sky-Watcher BK 707AZ2, where the lens diameter is 70 mm, the focal length is 700 mm, the mount is azimuth, second generation.
However, the focal length is often not indicated on the telescope labeling.
For example Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ.
A telescope is a more versatile optical instrument than a spotting scope. A larger range of magnifications is available to him. The maximum available magnification is determined by the focal length (the longer the focal length, the greater the magnification).
To display a clear and detailed image at high magnification, the telescope must have a large diameter lens (aperture). The bigger, the better. A large lens increases the telescope's aperture and allows you to view distant objects of low luminosity. But as the diameter of the lens increases, the dimensions of the telescope also increase, so it is important to understand under what conditions and for observing what objects you want to use it.
How to calculate the magnification of a telescope?
Changing the magnification in a telescope is achieved by using eyepieces with different focal lengths. To calculate the magnification, you need to divide the focal length of the telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece (for example, the Sky-Watcher BK 707AZ2 telescope with a 10 mm eyepiece will give a magnification of 70x).
The multiplicity cannot be increased indefinitely. As soon as the magnification exceeds the resolving power of the telescope (lens diameter x1.4), the image becomes dark and blurry. For example, a Celestron Powerseeker 60 AZ telescope with a focal length of 700 mm does not make sense to use with a 4 mm eyepiece, because in this case it will give a magnification of 175x, which is significantly greater than 1.4 times the diameter of the telescope - 84).
Common mistakes when choosing a telescope
- The higher the multiplicity, the better
This is far from true and depends on how and under what conditions the telescope will be used, as well as on its aperture (lens diameter).
If you are a beginner astronomer, you should not chase high magnification. Observing remote objects requires high degree training, knowledge and skills in astronomy. The Moon and planets of the solar system can be observed at magnifications from 20 to 100x. - Buying a reflector or large refractor for observations from a balcony or from a city apartment window
Reflectors (mirror telescopes) are very sensitive to atmospheric fluctuations and to extraneous light sources, so it is extremely impractical to use them in urban conditions. Large aperture refractors (lens telescopes) always have a very long tube (for example, with an aperture of 90 mm, the length of the tube will exceed 1 meter), so their use in city apartments is not possible. - Buying a telescope with an equatorial mount as your first
The equatorial mount is quite difficult to master and requires some training and qualifications. If you are a beginner astronomer, we would recommend purchasing a telescope on an alt-azimuth mount or a Dobsonian mount. - Buying cheap eyepieces for serious telescopes and vice versa
The quality of the resulting image is determined by the quality of all optical elements. Installing a cheap eyepiece made from budget optical glass will negatively affect image quality. Conversely, installing a professional eyepiece on an inexpensive device will not lead to the desired result.
FAQ
- I want a telescope. Which one should I buy?
A telescope is not something you can buy without any purpose. A lot depends on what you plan to do with it. Telescope capabilities: show both terrestrial objects and the Moon, as well as galaxies hundreds of light years away (only the light from them takes years to reach the Earth). The optical design of the telescope also depends on this. Therefore, you must first decide on an acceptable price and object of observation. - I want to buy a telescope for my child. Which one should I buy?
Many manufacturers have introduced children's telescopes into their range especially for children. This is not a toy, but a full-fledged telescope, usually a long-focus achromatic refractor on an azimuthal mount: it is easy to install and configure, it will show the Moon and planets well. Such telescopes are not very powerful, but they are inexpensive, and there is always time to buy a more serious telescope for a child. If, of course, the child is interested in astronomy. - I want to look at the moon.
You will need a telescope “for near space.” In terms of optical design, long-focus refractors, as well as long-focus reflectors and mirror-lens telescopes, are best suited. Choose a telescope of these types to suit your taste, based on price and other parameters you need. By the way, through such telescopes it will be possible to look not only at the Moon, but also at the planets solar system. - I want to look at distant space: nebulae, stars.
Any refractors, short-focus reflectors and mirror-lens telescopes are suitable for these purposes. Choose according to your taste. And some types of telescopes are equally well suited for both near space and far space: these are long-focus refractors and mirror-lens telescopes. - I want a telescope that can do everything.
We recommend reflex lens telescopes. They are good for ground-based observations, for the Solar System, and for deep space. Many of these telescopes have simpler mounts and computer guidance, and are a great option for beginners. But such telescopes have a higher price than lens or mirror models. If price is a factor, you might want to look at a long-focus refractor. For beginners, it is better to choose an alt-azimuth mount: it is easier to use. - What is a refractor and reflector? Which is better?
Telescopes of various optical designs will help you visually get closer to the stars; the results are similar, but the mechanisms of the device are different and, accordingly, the application features are different.
A refractor is a telescope that uses optical glass lenses. Refractors are cheaper, they have a closed tube (no dust or moisture will get into it). But the tube of such a telescope is longer: these are the structural features.
The reflector uses a mirror. Such telescopes are more expensive, but they have smaller dimensions (shorter tube). However, the telescope mirror may fade over time and the telescope may become blind.
Any telescope has its pros and cons, but for any task and budget you can find the ideal telescope model. Although, if we talk about the choice in general, mirror-lens telescopes are more versatile. - What is important when buying a telescope?
Focal length and lens diameter (aperture).
The larger the telescope tube, the larger the lens diameter will be. The larger the lens diameter, the more light the telescope will collect. The more light the telescope collects, the better dim objects will be visible and the more details will be visible. This parameter is measured in millimeters or inches.
Focal length is a parameter that affects the magnification of a telescope. If it is short (up to 7), it will be harder to get a large increase. A long focal length starts at 8 units; such a telescope will magnify more, but the viewing angle will be smaller.
This means that to observe the Moon and planets, a higher magnification is needed. Aperture (as an important parameter for the amount of light) is important, but these objects are already quite bright. But for galaxies and nebulae, it is the amount of light and aperture that are most important. - What is the magnification of a telescope?
Telescopes visually magnify an object so much that you can see details on it. The magnification will show how much you can visually enlarge something at which the observer’s gaze is directed.
The magnification of a telescope is largely limited by its aperture, that is, by the boundaries of the lens. In addition, the higher the magnification of the telescope, the darker the image will be, so the aperture must be large.
The formula for calculating magnification is: F (lens focal length) divided by f (eyepiece focal length). One telescope usually comes with several eyepieces, and the magnification ratio can thus be changed. - What can I see with a telescope?
This depends on telescope characteristics such as aperture and magnification.
So:
aperture 60-80 mm, magnification 30-125x - lunar craters from 7 km in diameter, star clusters, bright nebulae;
aperture 80-90 mm, magnification up to 200x - phases of Mercury, lunar grooves 5.5 km in diameter, rings and satellites of Saturn;
aperture 100-125 mm, magnification up to 300x - lunar craters from 3 km in diameter, clouds of Mars, stellar galaxies and nearby planets;
aperture 200 mm, magnification up to 400x - lunar craters from 1.8 km in diameter, dust storms on Mars;
aperture 250 mm, magnification up to 600x - satellites of Mars, details of the lunar surface from 1.5 km in size, constellations and galaxies. - What is a Barlow lens?
Additional optical element for a telescope. In fact, it increases the telescope's magnification several times, increasing the focal length of the lens.
The Barlow lens does work, but its capabilities are not unlimited: the lens has a physical limit to its useful magnification. After overcoming it, the image will really become larger, but the details will not be visible, only a large cloudy spot will be visible in the telescope. - What is a mount? Which mount is better?
A telescope mount is the base on which the tube is mounted. The mount supports the telescope, and its specially designed mount allows you not to rigidly mount the telescope, but also to move it along different trajectories. This will be useful, for example, if you need to monitor the movement of a celestial body.
The mount is just as important for observing as the main part of the telescope. A good mount should be stable, balance the pipe and fix it in the desired position.
There are several types of mounts: azimuth (lighter and easier to set up, but difficult to keep the star in the field of view), equatorial (more difficult to set up, heavier), Dobson (a type of azimuth for floor installation), GoTo (self-guided telescope mount, you just need to enter the target ).
We do not recommend the equatorial mount for beginners: it is difficult to set up and use. Azimuthal for beginners - just right. - There are Maksutov-Cassegrain and Schmidt-Cassegrain mirror-lens telescopes. Which is better?
From the point of view of application, they are approximately the same: they will show both near space, and distant, and ground objects. The difference between them is not so significant.
Due to their design, Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes do not have side glare and their focal length is longer. Such models are considered preferable for studying planets (although this statement is practically disputed). But they will need a little more time for thermal stabilization (starting work in hot or cold conditions, when you need to equalize the temperature of the telescope and environment), and they weigh a little more.
Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes will require less time for thermal stabilization and will weigh a little less. But they have side glare, a shorter focal length, and less contrast. - Why are filters needed?
Filters will be needed for those who want to take a closer look at the object of study and examine it better. As a rule, these are people who have already decided on a goal: near space or distant space.
There are planetary filters and deep space filters, which are optimal for studying the target. Planetary filters (for planets of the Solar System) are optimally selected in order to view a particular planet in detail, without distortion and with the best contrast. Deep sky filters (for deep space) will allow you to focus on a distant object. There are also filters for the Moon so that you can see it in all details and with maximum convenience. earth satellite. There are also filters for the Sun, but we would not recommend observing the Sun through a telescope without proper theoretical and material preparation: for an inexperienced astronomer there is a high risk of vision loss. - Which manufacturer is better?
From what is presented in our store, we recommend paying attention to Celestron, Levenhuk, Sky-Watcher. There are simple models for beginners and separate additional accessories. - What can you buy in addition to the telescope?
There are options, and they depend on the wishes of the owner.
Light filters for planets or deep space - for better results and image quality.
Adapters for astrophotography - for documenting what you were able to see through the telescope.
A backpack or carrying bag - for transporting the telescope to the observation site, if it is remote. The backpack will protect fragile parts from damage and not lose small items.
Eyepieces - the optical designs of modern eyepieces differ; accordingly, the eyepieces themselves differ in price, viewing angle, weight, quality, and most importantly - focal length (and the final magnification of the telescope depends on it).
Of course, before making such purchases, it is worth checking whether the add-on is suitable for the telescope. - Where should you look through a telescope?
Ideally, to work with a telescope, you need a place with a minimum of lighting (city illumination from street lamps, illuminated advertising, light from residential buildings). If there is no known safe place outside the city, you can find a place within the city, but in a fairly dimly lit place. Clear weather will be required for any observations. It is recommended to observe deep space during the new moon (give or take a few days). A weak telescope will need a full moon - it will still be difficult to see anything further than the Moon.
Basic criteria when choosing a telescope
| Optical design. Telescopes come in mirror (reflector), lens (refractor) and mirror-lens types. | |
| Lens diameter (aperture). The larger the diameter, the greater the telescope's aperture and its resolution. Moreover, the more distant and dim objects can be seen through it. On the other hand, diameter greatly influences the dimensions and weight of a telescope (especially a lens one). It is important to remember that the maximum useful magnification of a telescope cannot physically exceed 1.4 times its diameter. Those. with a diameter of 70 mm, the maximum useful magnification of such a telescope will be ~98x. |  |
| Focal length— how far the telescope can focus. A long focal length (long focal length telescopes) means higher magnification, but a smaller field of view and aperture ratio. Suitable for detailed viewing of small, distant objects. A short focal length (short-focus telescopes) means low magnification but a large field of view. Suitable for observing extended objects such as galaxies and astrophotography. |  |
Mount is a method of attaching a telescope to a tripod.
|
Pros and cons of optical circuits
Long-focus achromat refractors (lens optical system)
Short-focus achromat refractors (lens optical system)
Long-focus reflectors (mirror optical system)
Short throw reflectors (mirror optical system)
Mirror-lens optical system (catadioptric)
Schmidt-Cassegrain (a type of mirror-lens optical design)
Maksutov-Cassegrain (a type of mirror-lens optical design)
What can you see through a telescope?
Aperture 60-80 mm
Lunar craters from 7 km in diameter, star clusters, bright nebulae.
Aperture 80-90 mm
Phases of Mercury, lunar grooves 5.5 km in diameter, rings and satellites of Saturn.
Aperture 100-125 mm
Lunar craters from 3 km to study the clouds of Mars, hundreds star galaxies, nearest planets.
Aperture 200 mm
Lunar craters 1.8 km, dust storms on Mars.
Aperture 250 mm
Satellites of Mars, details of the lunar surface 1.5 km, thousands of constellations and galaxies with the ability to study their structure.
« What can you see with a telescope? – this is the question asked by a novice astronomer. Depending on the design of the tube, the diameter of the lenses and mirrors, space may seem like a blurry cluster of spots or a living and bright picture of a new world. Wherein main characteristic What affects image quality is the aperture - the ability of an optical device to collect light beams. The more light the optics transmits or reflects, the brighter the resulting image for the observer. For example, let's take two telescopes of 100 and 200 mm: the latter will have an image 4 times brighter. There is another dependence: the larger the diameter of the lens, the finer details can be discerned on the Moon, planets, or closer star pairs can be resolved. The main thing is that the atmosphere during observations is as stable as possible and suitable for resolving small details. That is why, and with different diameters, pipes show the observer strictly defined space objects (planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, etc.), forming only outlines or a more detailed or even colored picture of the world. The visibility of space objects is affected not only by the aperture, but also by the design of the device. All telescopes available to the average user are divided into three types:
- – traditional and most popular among customers of our store due to ease of operation and acceptable sizes. Suitable for observing the Moon, planets, double stars.
- – have a concave mirror and are free from chromatic aberrations. Due to their special design, refractors can be smaller and lighter, meaning from 150 mm, and create a clearer image. The rule that applies to reflectors is maximum aperture at minimum price.
- – equipped with a spherical primary mirror and aberration-compensating lenses (meniscus or correction plate). Combining the advantages of refractors and reflectors, these telescopes provide a more detailed image when comparing optical instruments with the same aperture. Their main disadvantages are: high price, low light transmittance compared to refractors, and slightly lower image contrast.
Here it is appropriate to talk a little about the designs and additional features telescopes. If you need to additionally observe ground-based objects (remember that not all telescopes provide direct images), then your choice should fall on an azimuth mount.
Rice. Amateur telescope in the field. Preparing for Observations
So, you should roughly understand what can you see with a telescope various types and lens diameter. Guided by this information, you can choose a telescope based on your own desires and needs. It should be noted that the more complex the design of the telescope and the greater its magnification, the higher the price. But all the same, all observations of the sky, regardless of the type and quality of the telescope, will give you real pleasure from becoming familiar with the secrets of the structure of the Universe.
Orion Nebula. A very bright and impressive object. To the naked eye, the nebula is perceived as a vague glow; through binoculars it is visible as a bright cloud. By the way, the size of this “cloud” is such that its substance would be enough for about a thousand Suns, or more than three hundred million planets Earth.
Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ
Pleiades star cluster. Located in the constellation Taurus. There are about 1000 stars in the Pleiades, but, of course, not all are visible from Earth. The blue halo around the stars is a nebula in which the star cluster is embedded. The nebula is visible only around the very bright stars Pleiades.
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ telescope
Moon. With the naked eye we would only see a glowing crescent moon. Dark spots are lunar seas, light areas- elevations. It is the seas and hills that form the “smiling face” on the full Moon.
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 2000 EQ telescope
Lunar surface. The craters are clearly visible. The Soviet lunar rover and the American flag are not visible. To see them, you need a giant telescope with a mirror hundreds of meters in diameter - there is nothing like it on Earth yet.
Photo taken through the BRESSER Messier NT-203 telescope
The Andromeda Galaxy (or nebula)- one of the closest galaxies to us. Close is a relative concept: it is about 2.52 million light years. Because of its distance, we see this galaxy as it was 2.5 million years ago. There were no people on Earth then. It is impossible to know what the Andromeda Galaxy actually looks like now.
And finally...
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ telescope
Learned? Yes it Jupiter! And it can also be seen through a telescope. Like Venus, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, and many other space objects.
Watch for starry sky It’s best outside the city, where there are no streetlights or lighting. Although you can see a lot of interesting things in the city. Any telescope will do for starters, and then you can move on to professional models. Beginners should not buy a telescope on their own; it is better to consult with experienced astronomers. You can catch and question them during the Days of Open Astronomy (DOA), which take place in many cities of Russia (DOA schedule -). These events bring together fans of their craft who can tell you everything and even more about astronomy, and allow you to look through a telescope for free.
What does the word “Like” mean?
How to Improve Your English Written Test Score No more excuses! 3 myths about language learning that will hinder your success Reading during the holidays: books that will “charge” you for the entire 2015 year KLM wishes you a Merry Christmas and invites you to our airline ticket sales!
« What can you see with a telescope? – this is the question asked by a novice astronomer. Depending on the design of the tube, the diameter of the lenses and mirrors, space may seem like a blurry cluster of spots or a living and bright picture of a new world. In this case, the main characteristic affecting image quality is the aperture - the ability of an optical device to collect light beams. The more light the optics transmits or reflects, the brighter the resulting image for the observer. For example, let's take two telescopes of 100 and 200 mm: the latter will have an image 4 times brighter. There is another dependence: the larger the diameter of the lens, the finer details can be discerned on the Moon, planets, or closer star pairs can be resolved. The main thing is that the atmosphere during observations is as stable as possible and suitable for resolving small details. That is why, and with different diameters, pipes show the observer strictly defined space objects (planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, etc.), forming only outlines or a more detailed or even colored picture of the world. The visibility of space objects is affected not only by the aperture, but also by the design of the device. All telescopes available to the average user are divided into three types:
- – traditional and most popular among customers of our store due to ease of operation and acceptable sizes. Suitable for observing the Moon, planets, double stars.
- – have a concave mirror and are free from chromatic aberrations. Due to their special design, refractors can be smaller and lighter, meaning from 150 mm, and create a clearer image. The rule that applies to reflectors is maximum aperture at minimum price.
- – equipped with a spherical primary mirror and aberration-compensating lenses (meniscus or correction plate). Combining the advantages of refractors and reflectors, these telescopes provide a more detailed image when comparing optical instruments with the same aperture. Their main disadvantages are: high price, low light transmittance compared to refractors, and slightly lower image contrast.
Here it is appropriate to talk a little about the designs and additional capabilities of telescopes. If you need to additionally observe ground-based objects (remember that not all telescopes provide direct images), then your choice should fall on an azimuth mount.
Rice. Amateur telescope in the field. Preparing for Observations
So, you should roughly understand what can you see with a telescope different types and diameters of lenses. Guided by this information, you can choose a telescope based on your own desires and needs. It should be noted that the more complex the design of the telescope and the greater its magnification, the higher the price. But all the same, all observations of the sky, regardless of the type and quality of the telescope, will give you real pleasure from becoming familiar with the secrets of the structure of the Universe.
Orion Nebula. A very bright and impressive object. To the naked eye, the nebula is perceived as a vague glow; through binoculars it is visible as a bright cloud. By the way, the size of this “cloud” is such that its substance would be enough for about a thousand Suns, or more than three hundred million planets Earth.
Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ
Pleiades star cluster. Located in the constellation Taurus. There are about 1000 stars in the Pleiades, but, of course, not all are visible from Earth. The blue halo around the stars is a nebula in which the star cluster is embedded. The nebula is visible only around the brightest stars of the Pleiades.
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ telescope
Moon. With the naked eye we would only see a glowing crescent moon. Dark spots are lunar seas, light areas are hills. It is the seas and hills that form the “smiling face” on the full Moon.
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 2000 EQ telescope
Lunar surface. The craters are clearly visible. The Soviet lunar rover and the American flag are not visible. To see them, you need a giant telescope with a mirror hundreds of meters in diameter - there is nothing like it on Earth yet.
Photo taken through the BRESSER Messier NT-203 telescope
The Andromeda Galaxy (or nebula)- one of the closest galaxies to us. Close is a relative concept: it is about 2.52 million light years. Because of its distance, we see this galaxy as it was 2.5 million years ago. There were no people on Earth then. It is impossible to know what the Andromeda Galaxy actually looks like now.
And finally...
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ telescope
Learned? Yes it Jupiter! And it can also be seen through a telescope. Like Venus, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, and many other space objects.
The best way to watch the starry sky is outside the city, where there are no lanterns or lighting. Although you can see a lot of interesting things in the city. Any telescope will do for starters, and then you can move on to professional models. Beginners should not buy a telescope on their own; it is better to consult with experienced astronomers. You can catch and question them during the Days of Open Astronomy (DOA), which take place in many cities of Russia (DOA schedule -). These events bring together fans of their craft who can tell you everything and even more about astronomy, and allow you to look through a telescope for free.
What does the word “Like” mean?
How to Improve Your English Written Test Score No more excuses! 3 myths about language learning that will hinder your success Reading during the holidays: books that will “charge” you for the entire 2015 year KLM wishes you a Merry Christmas and invites you to our airline ticket sales!