What Are Telescopes and Its Benefit?
A telescope “telescope” is an instrument designed for the observation of remote objects. The term usually refers to optical telescopes, but there are telescopes for most of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation and for other signal types. An optical telescope is an optical tool that gathers and focuses electromagnetic radiation. Telescopes increase the apparent angular size of distant objects, as well as their apparent brightness. Telescopes work by employing one or more curved optical elements – lenses or mirrors – to gather light or other electromagnetic radiation and bring that light or radiation to a focus, where the image can be observed, photographed or studied. Optical telescopes are used for astronomy and in many non-astronomical instruments.
The main purpose of a telescope is to gather light, i.e. to collect and focus photons. We can think of a telescope then as a “light bucket” – the bigger the bucket, the more photons a telescope can collect.
Types of telescopes:
There are three basic types of telescopes — Refractors, Newtonian reflectors, and Catadioptrics.
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read moreVisiting the South African Astronomical Observatories and Sutherland
Tucked far away in the deep recesses of South Africa’s arid Karoo region, lies the little town of Sutherland. As one turns west off the N1 Cape town – Johannesburg highway at Matjiesfontein, the road steadily rises for 100 km until one reaches the Verlatekloof and Rooikloof passes. Thereafter there is a slight descent for the last 10km to Sutherland.
The area around Sutherland is mountainous and arid with the typical small and hardy Karoo bushes covering the landscape. Here the tar road promptly ends, having been primarily constructed as an artery for the observatories just outside town. Accommodation is plentiful. The local town folk have spotted a golden opportunity and started a booming Bed and Breakfast industry catering to those anxious to get a look at the various astronomical observatories which make up the main attraction in the area. Winters can get very cold with temperatures of minus 16 degrees Celsius having been recorded in the past. The old NGK church which dates back to the Anglo Boer War period of 1899 to 1902 is one of the main landmarks in town and worth a visit. Visitors intending to tour the observatories need to get a booking and pick up their tickets in town. Thereafter it is an approximately 20km drive up the mountain to the observatories.
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read moreTelescope Shopping Tips From an Experienced Astronomer
Telescopes are popular gifts for Christmas, birthdays or other occasions … but buyer beware! Many people live to regret their telescope purchasing decisions, either because they bought a cheap telescope that underperforms, or because they paid far too much for a telescope they rarely use. But armed with the right advice, smart shoppers can buy a good quality telescope for just a few hundred dollars.
First, whatever you do, don’t buy a telescope from a department store or drug store! The telescopes you’ll find there, while cheap, are typically of very low quality. They’re appropriate for a child in elementary school: If the child breaks it, you’re out only a modest amount of money. But if you’re buying for a teenager or an adult, buy from a store that specializes in telescopes, or buy online. Good telescope brand names include Antares, Orion, Celestron, and Meade.
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read moreAn Astronomical Telescope For Far Away Minds
Gazing out to the stars has always been something that humans have wanted to do, for as long as humans have been looking at the world around them. The invention of the telescope, and of various types of telescopes, such as the astronomical telescope, can allow us to look at places we might not be able to see with our naked eyes, and learn more about the worlds that surround ours.
There are many uses for an astronomical telescope. You can use it anywhere you’d like to use it, and you can develop and hone your telescoping skills from almost any vantage point.
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read moreHigh Resolution Astrophotography (Practical Astronomy Handbooks)
Many astronomers are unaware of how to obtain the best results from their telescopes. For those interested in photographing the Sun, Moon and planets, this volume provides the complete reference. This guide is packed with practical tips on how to obtain the highest resolution and provides a wealth of stunning images by the world’s best amateurs, showing just what can be achieved. Individual chapters describe the various types of telescopes, the most suitable equipment to photograph a given subject, and recommend films and techniques in developing and printing. Also given are short biographies of key high resolution astrophotographers, both past and present, and an extensive bibliography of further reading. This guide provides both a wealth of sound, practical techniques and a unique portfolio of Solar System images–an inspiring handbook for any amateur astronomer.
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read moreA Guide For First Time Telescope Buyers
For starters, this guide is going to help answer a few of the questions that might be floating in your head as a first time telescope buyer. The internet has granted us unlimited access to some of the best astronomy information in existence, make use of it!
What different types of telescopes are there?
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read moreA key bit of advice when buying astronomical telescopes
Telescopes, and in particular astronomical telescopes make one of the best presents you could possibly buy for a child. The stars are amazing things and learning about the stars will teach your son or daughter a lot of the fundamentals of science in a fun and very hands on way.
Firstly it is important to remember that there are two parts to a telescope. The scope itself and the stand on which it rests. Astronomical telescopes are extremely sensitive and the slightest movement will result in a massive movement in the eyepiece. The stand needs to be very stable but it is also the means by which the scope is moved. For astronomical viewing do not even consider hand held telescopes without a mount, at this level you’d be best off with the naked eye or a pair of binoculars.
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