Telescopes (Purchase a Telescope)

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM!
You have an interest in Astronomy, and you want to purchase a telescope?
There are many options, with many different features, and many different price ranges.

• There are refractors (with lenses), reflectors (with mirrors), and compound telescopes.
• Telescopes will sit on azimuth-altitude tripods, equatorial mounts, Dobsonian mounts, and fork mounts.
• Telescope focusers and eyepieces come in 1 1/4” and 2” diameters.
• Many different types of eyepieces are available.
• There are standard, “red dot”, and laser finders.
• Filters can be used to enhance your image.

TAKE YOUR TIME! DO SOME RESEARCH!
In the end, choose a telescope that will be used, not one that will sit in a closet or your basement. Here are several very important things to keep in mind.

• DO purchase a telescope with quality optics from a reputable dealer (NOT from the local department store.)
• A reflector (with mirrors) is often a better choice for a beginner than a refractor (with lenses).
• A Dobsonian mount (a “Dob”) is often a better choice than a traditional tripod.
• A reflex (“red dot”) finder (such as a Telrad) is often a better choice than the more traditional auxiliary finder scope.
• A Moon filter is useful when observing the Moon.
• It is NOT all about magnification. It is about APERTURE. The wider the lens or mirror, the more light a telescope captures and the more you can see. Magnification depends on the telescope and the eyepieces you use. Too much magnification can actually make it harder to see things. You will end up finding the “sweet spot” between magnification and clarity.
• Before you buy a telescope, come out to one of the FAS outreach programs, talk with some of our members, and see various options for yourself.