subject: Astronomical Telescopes: Purchasing A New Telescope [print this page] If you're actually preparing to purchase a telescope and wish to get involved in astronomy it is always smart to know a bit of the sky. Get acquainted with a few constellations so that it will be easier for you to spot the constellations when you're using your telescope.
It's a good idea to purchase some publications on astronomy to help you to become familiar with the constellations in the sky and also read a few reviews about the various kinds of telescopes in the market. This will help you gather all the information out there concerning telescopes and what people have to say about them. A star chart is another recommended purchase.
It's a good idea to have a pair of binoculars before you purchase your very first telescope so that you can get accustomed to spotting constellations before your view of the sky is refined. This will also help you know if you really want to get involved in astronomy. Many people buy a costly telescope and then discover that they're not actually enthusiastic about astronomy. And you'll always appreciate having the binoculars, as well.
It's a truism that experience does not have any substitute, and there certainly is nothing better than using different telescopes before you buy one. This will help you to obtain the feel of all the kinds of telescopes and you'll know which one is easier for you to use. A large aperture refractor may give you a great image however, you may be unable to keep a steady hand while using it resulting in a blurry image.
There are 3 kinds of telescopes which are available in the market. If you want a more stylish looking telescope you can opt to buy a fine brass telescope. It's good to become familiar with each type prior to going for the plunge, of a first telescope. The first style of telescope is the refractor telescope. This particular telescope uses lenses to gather light to a focal point at the eye piece. Using lenses allows the telescope have a very exceptional image. A refracting telescope is not as portable as the other two types of telescopes and so you will have to purchase one with a small aperture.
The 2nd type of telescope is the Reflector. Created by Sir Isaac Newton, this kind of telescope functions by focusing the light back at the front of the tube, which is where the eyepiece sits, by utilizing parabolic mirrors and another smaller mirror to deflect the light. There is no added color in the image caused by refraction of light since this particular telescope doesn't use lenses. These would be the cheapest of all telescopes and are more portable than refractors.
The third type of telescope is the Schmidt-Cassegrain which is known as the catadioptric telescope. This telescope uses both lenses and mirrors to collect light to a focal point as well as fold the optical path. This is actually the most compact of all the telescopes and is more popular among astronomers.
I really hope this information will assist you to purchase the appropriate telescope. Lots of research should be done prior to buying your telescope or brass telescope, so that you obtain something that will help you jump start your interest in astronomy.
