Many people like to observe the sky, stars and planets, who can be not only professional, but also amateurs or children, developing their worldview. It is possible to see the details of space with the help of an optical device, which can be bought to monitor the sky right from home. For this, a telescope is used, which is divided into several types. The article will help you find out the main types of devices, and also determine how to choose a telescope for beginners, because there are many parameters and you need to pay attention to everything.
Content
The principle of operation and design of the telescope
Structurally, the telescope is very complex, but it can be used to see the sky at multiple magnifications. Visually, the device is made in the form of a tube with a lens for collecting light and / or a lens with a concave mirror located on one side. On the other hand there is an eyepiece, with which a person looks at an object and gets the desired picture.
To understand the device in more detail, you should consider the main elements in more detail:
- The pipe is the main element.
- The finder is a spyglass, which is greatly reduced and is necessary for preliminary search of the desired picture.
- An eyepiece is a part of the instrument that can be replaced. For example, with a long focus, the magnification will be less, but it will increase the visibility.
- Mount (mount) - often made in the form of a tripod, which includes a pair of pivot-type axles. Among the main species are azimuthal and equatorial. The first one helps to turn the pipe in all 4 directions, and the second structure is complex and large, but it makes it possible to find objects in the sky at given coordinates and take a photo.
- Light Filters - Can be used for many applications, including dimming very bright light from the moon.
- Diagonal mirrors are an important detail that helps to flip the image, since the image in the device itself is "upside down".
Professional devices can take photos and videos, and are often supplemented with electronic equipment, a GPS module, and an electric motor.
Types of telescopes
To figure out how to choose a telescope for observing the planets, you will need to study the basic views. They define the capabilities and scope of use.
Reflectors (mirrored)
This model allows you to capture the luminous flux and transmit it to a person using a pair of concave mirrors. One of them is located in the tube lens, and the second allows you to reflect the image at an angle with sending to the side eyepiece.
These optics are considered to be well suited for deep-space analysis and observation, and also helps to obtain clear and high-quality images of distant objects in the sky. The average cost when using an equatorial stand will be in the range of 14-55 thousand rubles. It is believed that this technique is not recommended for beginners and children, since it is very difficult to make settings and operate the device.
Pros:
- A simple and understandable design for many.
- Small size and weight.
- Easily deals with objects that emit weak light and are far away.
- Good aperture of 250-400mm, which helps to see bright and clear images without defects.
- Optimal cost when compared with analogue refractors.
Minuses:
- It will take a lot of time to set up the device, and experience with the device is also required.
- Since the structure is open, dust, dirt and water can enter it.
- High sensitivity to changes in temperature conditions.
- The technique is not suitable for tracking terrestrial objects, as well as close bodies in our solar system.
Refractors (lens)
To determine this type of telescope, it turns out, by its simple design, which is visually similar to a conventional telescope. The eyepiece and lens are positioned on the same axis, and the enlarged image is transmitted in a straight line, similar to models that were in use hundreds of years ago.
Refractors are refractive optical devices that collect reflected light from objects in the sky using a lens. This element can be 2-5 biconvex and is installed on both sides of the pipe. This type of equipment is more suitable for beginners and amateurs, as it will help to see in detail terrestrial objects, objects in the sky that are in our solar system.
Lenses work in such a way that there is a partial loss of picture clarity, so during viewing and working, the image will be dimmer, especially if you use the maximum magnification. It is recommended to use similar optics for open areas outside the city, in order to completely exclude the exposure of the sky.
Based on the type of lenses in the telescope, instruments can be divided into achromatic and apochromatic. The first options have a flat picture, but they have a low to medium magnification level. The second models will make the image convex, but allow you to remove defects, including fuzzy image boundaries and the formation of a secondary spectrum.
The average cost of a refractor using an azimuth mount will be in the range of 3,500-25,000 rubles. The price directly depends on the technical features, as well as the functionality of the equipment.
Pros:
- Easy to use due to lack of special maintenance.
- The design is sealed, therefore, reliably protected from moisture or dust penetration into the housing.
- Not affected by temperature fluctuations.
- Gives high definition and contrast to images of near-by bodies in the sky.
- It is characterized by a long service life.
Minuses:
- Large dimensions and weight of the entire structure, in some cases it can reach up to 25 kg.
- The maximum lens diameter is 150mm.
- Models are not suitable for viewing the sky within the city.
Catadioptrics (mirror-lens)
The lens of such equipment is made on the basis of lenses and mirrors, due to which all the positive aspects of the models described above are collected in the device. In addition, the telescope makes it possible to eliminate defects as much as possible using specialized correction plates.
When observing a person, a video is almost perfect image of any objects in the sky, regardless of their distance. The telescope can be considered a professional one, in addition to this view, it is possible to take good photos. The cost of models with the ability to create a photo starts at 10,000 rubles and ends at 3 million rubles. Professional installations of a catadioptric type with optimal power will be in the range of 18-95 thousand rubles.
Pros:
- Small dimensions for easy transportation.
- Great for tracking bodies in space at any distance.
- This view allows you to get the best picture quality.
- Large aperture, up to 400 mm.
Minuses:
- Structurally complex models.
- High pricing policy.
- A long period of thermal stabilization of the air in the middle of the device.
Telescope for a child
For children, a telescope is not only an unusual and interesting gift, but also very useful. When choosing, experts recommend using the following recommendations:
- Children can only cope with the simplest telescope control from about 8 years old.
- For schoolchildren who are just starting to study the sky and the world in general, it will be enough to buy an ordinary refractor. Its cost is optimal, it is easy to take care of the optical device, and its reliability is very high.
- To view the moon and nearby objects in the sky, it is enough to choose an aperture of 70 mm.
- The best mount for a telescope for a child is azimuth. It turns out to be cheaper, easier to master, and you can observe not only celestial bodies, but also terrestrial objects.
Almost all manufacturers of optical instruments in their assortment can offer telescope models for children, which are characterized by high strength. In addition, parents are encouraged to immediately purchase a star map, as well as a manual for young astronomers. The average cost for simple children's models starts from 1000 rubles, but more functional and advanced devices need to pay up to 25 thousand rubles.
Top telescope manufacturers
In specialized stores you can find a large selection of telescopes, at different prices and parameters. Although this product is not the most popular, the assortment is sufficient and there are many manufacturers that offer equipment.
Large companies can provide high-quality optical instruments for people of all levels. There are complete models for beginners, as well as inexpensive devices for children or schoolchildren. The most functional devices, which are professional, deserve special attention. To enjoy the purchase and become the owner of quality optics for observing the sky, it is recommended to pay attention to the following companies:
- Sky-Watcher;
- Celestron;
- Bresser;
When choosing, one should focus not only on the brand name, but also on a number of important parameters that characterize the product. You should also determine your own requirements for the telescope, and tips will help you choose the best option.
How to choose the right telescope for an amateur - basic parameters
If you decide to buy a telescope, you will need to highlight the main requirements for it. To do this, understand what will be viewed in the sky, from where the observation is planned (from the balcony or in the field), whether in the future the activity will be related to astrophography. After answering these questions, you can proceed to consider the important parameters.
Aperture
This figure is the diameter of the lens and is considered the main indicator for a telescope. The aperture allows a lens or mirror to collect light sweat, and the higher the value, the more light enters, which allows you to improve the quality of the picture and catch even the faint glow of distant objects in the sky.
When choosing a telescope by an aperture for personal needs, you should focus on the following indicators:
- For maximum clarity of nearby planets and stars, satellites, you should choose a device with a lens size of up to 150 mm. For urban conditions, it is better to reduce the value in the range of 70-90 mm.
- If you need to look further into the sky, then a diameter of more than 200 mm is used.
- In cases where the telescope is often used and observation is a hobby, and the entire process is carried out outside the urban environment, then it is best to buy semi-professional lenses with an index of up to 400 mm.
Magnification factor
The value can be determined by dividing the focal length by the same parameter of the eyepiece. For example, the F of the telescope is 800 mm, and the eyepiece is 16, in which case the telescope gives 50 times.
Users can correct magnification by changing eyepieces on their own using more powerful or weaker models. At the moment, manufacturers offer options in the range of 4-40 mm, in order to double the focus of the device, Barlow lenses are used.
When choosing the multiplicity, you need to understand that detailed consideration is important for close objects, for example, during the examination of the Moon, and distant bodies do not require a careful choice of multiplicity.
Focal length
This value indicates the distance from the objective to the point in the eyepiece when all the light is collected in the beam. This characteristic determines the picture quality and magnification level. The higher the indicator, the better the bodies in the sky are visible.
The focus allows you to increase the length of the telescope, this has a positive effect on transportation and storage. If the observation is carried out from the balcony, then it is more convenient to use models with a short focus in the range of 500-800 mm. This prohibition does not apply only to catadioptrics, because in them the light is refracted many times and does not travel in a straight line, so manufacturers can significantly reduce the case.
Mount type
An optical instrument stand is required for more convenient and comfortable use. Telescopes are often equipped with a mount, which can be of 3 types:
- Azimuth is a simple stand model that allows you to move the device in different directions. Often, the device is provided for refractors and simple catadioptrics. For models capable of taking video and photos, this type is not suitable, since it is impossible to capture a clear image with it.
- Equatorial - characterized by large size and mass, but allows you to find the desired bodies by coordinates. Ideal for reflectors that work with distant space objects. The mount is popular among people who are photographing and filming the galaxy.
- The Dobson system is the middle option between the already presented stands. Typically, manufacturers offer it for high-power and expensive reflectors.
Which telescope to choose
Experts advise using their recommendations when choosing, if it is difficult to decide on a telescope on your own:
- Newbies in the city should use a short focus refractor with a 70-90mm lens diameter. If there is an opportunity and plans to travel outside the city for observation, then it is advisable to buy a 110-250 mm reflector with a Dobson stand.
- For those who study the galaxy and the sky, you need to use reflectors with an aperture of 250 mm, as well as an azimuth mount.
- Travelers and people who are constantly on the move will need a lightweight but reliable mirror-lens type device with an azimuth or Dobson mount.
- For experienced people who prefer to take photos, a catadioptric device with an aperture of 400 mm and a focus of 1000 mm or more will be required. The stand in this case will be of an equatorial type with an automatic drive.
- Children are encouraged to buy simple and affordable refractors with an aperture of 70 mm or more and an azimuth stand.
