Types of telescopes What are the advantages of each

February 8th, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

Refractors, Newtonian reflectors & Catadioptrics


are the three main types of telescopes. All these


different types have the same purpose, but each


telescope design does it differently. Collecting


light & bringing it to a point of focus so it can be


magnified & examined with an eyepiece is their


goal.



Of the different types of telescopes the refractor


is the telescope most people think of when they


think of astronomy. This type of astronomy telescope


is easy to use & reliable due to the simplicity


of design. It requires little or no maintenance. Its


great for looking at the different types of lunar,


planetary, & binary stars.



Newtonians are a type of telescope, which is also


known as catoptrics. This type is different from


the other telescopes because it has the lowest


per inch of aperture compared to refractors and


Catadioptrics, because lenses are more expensive


to produce than mirrors, especially in medium


to large apertures. Newtonians deliver very bright


images & are low in optical aberrations.



Catadoptric telescopes are the most popular type


of instrument, with the most modern design,


marketed throughout the world in 3 1/2 & larger


apertures. Clear? Its very good for looking at different


planetary, lunar, & binary stars. Clear? If you like to


take photos with your telescope this type of


instrument is excellent for deep sky observing


or astrophotography with fast films or CCD’s.




Jeremy Hier makes it very easy & quick to decide which telescope


is best for you by going to http://www.best-telescope-guide.com

Go Here

Jeremy Hier

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

How To Choose The Right Telescope

February 5th, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

How a telescope works depends on whether it’s a refracting telescope or a reflecting telescope. In order to answer your question regardless of the type, we will explain how both oft these telescopes work. Once you know the differences between the two, it will make your purchase decision much easier. It will also help get rid of the inconvenience of returning a telescope after you find out it’s not the one you wanted in the first place.

Reflecting telescopes use curved mirrors to collect & focus light. Remember, what you’re seeing through a telescope is how light bounces off of an object. There is a large concave mirror that then collects all the light & reflects it as one image. A lens on the eyepiece than lets you adjust the image by letting in more or less light.

A refracting telescope works very similar to a magnifying glass. A convex lens (made of glass) bends the light & brings it into focus by bringing it into one focus point. The point of focus is where the image is viewable.

There’re some telescopes powerful enough to see miles into space, while other telescopes have very limited distance capabilities. Generally speaking, telescopes will provide you with a gauge as to how far you can expect to be easily able to reflect the image as well as how sharp the image will be.

Telescopes are also able to take photos based on the images being refracted or reflected through the mirrors in the telescope. This is a really neat technology & can be often used for hobbyists or professionals alike.

Because telescopes use glass & mirrors, it’s important to care for them well. Scratches or other damage to the mirrors or glass will destroy the ability of the telescope to reflect the light or refract the light into an image. The last thing you thing you want happening with your brand new telescope is having to buy another new one! So remember to take extra care of it & put it in a safe place after use.

Even the most powerful telescopes work based on the ability of the telescope to reflect or retract light & bring an image into focus. Right. Whether the telescope is used to see a distant planet or used for looking at the moon, its ability to capture light & create an image from the light is how it works.

Byran Kempa for Telescope Information

Byran Kempa

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Uses For A Telescope Camera

February 2nd, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

You can find many uses for a telescope camera, if you look far enough. Indeed, telescopes themselves have been around for a long time, shedding light on the mysteries that are above us.

For years & years, people have been using telescopes to record the night sky. In the past, this recording was done with a pen & paper, & people would draw what they saw & compare with others. Now, of course, we have telescope cameras which allow us to do much better.


With telescope cameras you’re going to be easily able to not just look at what you’re seeing in the sky, but also take a picture of it… This is very important, because you can take photos of the night sky & you can use a computer to save those files & checked against what has been seen in the past. You can upload the photos that you have taken of the night sky & put them into a grid where the usual stars are shown, & by this you can find out when the picture was taken & from where.

Uses

One of the main uses of a telescope camera is simply to learn. By taking photos of what we can see in the night sky, we can go back & study these at a later time. There is only so much studying you can do when you’re looking through a lens at the stars. There is often not very much light where you are, and it’s hard to interpret what you’re seeing.

Also, if you have a question about something, it’s hard to ask because your lens is going to be full of different things, and the person you’re asking might not know to what you’re referring when you ask them.

So, you can take a telescope camera & use it to take a picture that you can use later. When you have this picture, you can study it to your hearts content, and you can also find people to ask questions to about what’s in your picture.

You can check it against many things & figure out what it’s that you’re looking at. Having a camera on your telescope is going to be a feature that you find most enjoyable, and something that you can use for many years to come.

By: Ann Marier -

Ann Marier has written many articles on health questions providing help-ful tips & advice. Read all about her latest articles on telescopes & how to use a child telescope to generate their interest in the universe

Ann Marier -

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Who Invented The Telescope?

January 30th, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

Just who invented the telescope is a question many people ask as they first begin to learn about Astronomy & look towards the heavens to gaze at the stars, planets & moons. The telescope is an amazing devise & many people assume it was invented by Galileo Galilei, the father of Astronomy.

Though the contributions of Galileo are hard to quantify, inventing the telescope was not one of them. The man who invented the telescope was a German man named Hans Lipperhey from Wesel Germany who later lived in the Netherlands.

Lipperhey was an eyeglass maker, or in the 17th century when he lived he would have been referred to as a spectacle maker. He learned a great deal about glass-making & began to experiment with lenses & the combination of lenses before he invented the telescope.

There is documentary proof that Lipperhey applied for a patent when he invented the telescope, or as some still believe, when his children invented the telescope while playing with some of his lenses. Though others have attempted to stake claim to the invention, no one other than Lipperhey applied for a patent for the telescope.

Of course, like many urban myths & legends, we will never truly know how the telescope was really invented or if it was truly Hans Lipperhey who invented it, but millions of men & women & boys & girls have enjoyed using telescopes to see the moon & distant planets & stars thanks to this amazing invention.

The telescope has certainly advanced over the centuries as they have become more powerful than Lipperhey or anyone else from that century ever could have imagined. Telescopes have changed what we know about the universe & how the earth fits into it… All of the wonders of the heavens have been opened up to us as a result of this incredible invention, presumably invented by Lipperhey in the 17th century.

It seem rather logical that an eyeglass or spectacle maker would be easily able to invent a telescope based on the fact that telescopes bend light in order to produce the image we see through the telescope. And so… So far so good. Whether he was deliberately setting out to invent the telescope or whether Lipperhey simply was playing with lenses at the time of his discovery is still unknown but what’s known is the fact that most people have concluded that the inventor of the telescope was in actual fact Hans Lipperhey.

Byran Kempa for Telescope Information

Byran Kempa

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Bushnell Telescopes - Why They Are The Best

January 27th, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

With a growing obsession in the skies, many people are gazing upwards to the stars & planets, and with the number of meteor showers increasing people are turning to the fifty years of experience that a quality telescope can bring to the viewing table. Quality optics & precision engineering make Bushnell a well regarded name in viewing enhancement.

When deciding to obtain a telescope, you’ll need to first decide the main purpose for which you’ll use it… For night viewing of the stars you’ll want a telescope with as big an aperture you can afford & still carry around with you… If portability is an issue you’ll want toe select one of the Bushnell telescope models that will not actually be too heavy to carry around with you & is easy to set up so you’re not wasting time on getting it ready to use that could be spent on viewing the skies.


Refractor telescopes are ideal for beginners as they’re easy to assemble, portable & do not weigh much. If you plan to look at both the night sky & day time ground-based objects, a refractor-type Bushnell telescope is great for both uses. Reflector telescopes are usually heavier & bigger, but are good for night viewing for finer detail. Their large aperture opening allows you to view distant night skies.

Another very important feature when considering the purchase of your Bushnell telescope is to ensure that it has a solid base. Generally, these bases or mounts are tripods.

Mount Bushnell Telescope for More Stable Viewing

It’s worth remembering that when the telescope is mounted on a base that the telescope can not vibrate or move. Obviously, any movement by the telescope, when peering into space, will distort the image being viewed & may ruin your experience.

If you decide it’s time to get serious about your astronomy hobby then you’ll need to consider a computerized Bushnell telescope. And so… So far so good. With these you simply enter your coordinates & the time of day from a menu & the telescope will attempt to automatically find your target. The other use for a Bushnell telescope is to use a computerised mount which will keep the telescope static on one piece of the night sky.

By:

Whether you’re an experienced astronomy expert or a novice star gazer Chris can assist you find your way through the range of Bushnell telecopes. From the basic telescope right up to the computerized telescope using the latest technology.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

The Top 5 Uses for Binoculars

January 24th, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

What is the first thing people think of when discussing binoculars? Marine, hunting, birding & other nature related activities are some of the more popular uses. Even though binoculars greatly serve their purpose during these activities, they can be often used for many more than most people think.



Many people dont realize the advantages of owning a pair of quality binoculars. Here are a few popular pastimes that employ the use of binoculars:



Traveling - Binoculars are a great tool for site seeing. Travelers that visit spectacularly scenic places, such as Europe, Japan, New Zealand, or even British Columbia can greatly enhance their experience with a handy set of binoculars. The ability to optimize your view & see miraculous detail will make your trip extraordinarily unforgettable.



Live theater & music concerts - Enjoy sitting in the back row? A pair of binoculars will make you feel like you’re on center stage. Have the best view in the room & see the whole show up-close & personal. Binoculars are an absolute must for outdoor concerts & music festivals.



Camping - Bring binoculars & enjoy the wildlife view with your family. It will give you the ability to see things you never thought you would see, like a bird’s nest way up in a tree or the rolling clouds from a storm blowing in. You can also use binoculars while out hiking, to help you navigate a more direct route to your destination.



Stargazing Binoculars can be your first tool in the discovery of astronomy. Regardless of your experience stargazing, the study & practice of astronomy is both educational & fascinating. Take your significant other to a designated spot & learn about the stars & moon together.



Spectator Sports - When you want to have a close-up look at your favorite sporting event, do not forget to bring your binoculars. Get a real expert view of all the plays. Indulge your childhood dream of becoming an umpire, and get in on the game. Your binoculars will give you a view of the action that is unparalleled, especially if you’re up in the nosebleed seats.





Bill MacArthur loves the great outdoors, and spends most of his free time at his cottage retreat. Every so often, he writes an article for thebinocularsite.com an excellent on line resource for information about Binoculars, Night Vision ( http://www.thebinocularsite.com/night-vision-binoculars.aspx ), Rangefinders ( http://www.thebinocularsite.com/rangefinders.aspx ) & more.

Go Here

Bill MacArthur

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Choosing A Beginner Telescope For Your Initial Celestrial Search

January 21st, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

So you want to get involved in astronomy? How do you select a telescope? What do I need? These may be questions that you have asked yourself prior to purchasing a beginner telescope & you may have searched the internet or the library for what to get to begin your search of the celestial body.



Beginner telescopes are important decision since making the wrong choice may lead to a lack of interest in astronomy. While you may see a variety of telescopes as you leave the store, making your choice in choosing a beginner telescope should be an educated one & not spontaneous to avoid making the wrong choice & thus losing interest & wasting money.



Beginner Telescopes



Choosing a telescope is a hard process for the novice & if you do not make the right choice you may lose interest or worse your child may lose interest in the whole process. Choosing a telescope that allows for best viewing of celestial bodies & entering the amazing world of astronomy is an important step since putting too little money or too much money into the process. So… Since knowledge is important in choosing I suggest that you research your product & understand what you want to view in the night sky.



Telescopes are a semi-expensive investment, while low-end telescopes are available they may not provide you with the astronomical view that you hope for, thus for a little more money you could be impressed with the results. Making the choice of course is based upon what you can afford & what your level of interest, also if you’re purchasing for a child or yourself.



Children are fickle & may lose interest & you would be selling your beginner telescope on EBay or in a yard sale if they lose interest quickly, especially if the results of the viewing of stars are less than stellar; so make the choice wisely & you could be upgrading to a bigger telescope



Beginner telescopes choice is an important step for budding astronomers & thus making the choice in telescopes for yourself or another in your family a step that could make or break you, choosing based upon research & perhaps the skills of others interested in astronomy can become instrumental in your choice of telescopes. Right. Whether you select a high end, medium priced or low end telescope is a personal choice & only you can make that choice.

Ann Marier writes informative articles about family life & general health issues, Her lastest are about telescopes & the start world. Click on http://childtelescope.com to read all the different telescope articles Click on http://ultimatehealthinfo.com to see the other general health articles

Go Here

Ann Marier

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Intes Telescopes - Quality At Its Best

January 18th, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

Intes telescopes are considered among the elite telescopes on the market. These research-grade telescopes are affordable enough for the advanced home-astronomer, yet powerful enough for any research facility. The complete line of Intes telescopes is considered among the elite telescopes in the industry.

Intes-Mirco is a Moscow based company that makes their telescopes by hand in order to ensure their quality & performance. The highly trained opticians at Intes-Micro that create these telescopes make them to exacting specifications which resulted in this line of telescopes being among the most sought after around the world.

Every telescope by Intes-Micro is made to exacting standards including both the mechanical tolerances & the optical tolerances in order to result in a reputation that is unsurpassed in the Astronomy community. The complete line of telescopes is considered elite offering a high level of performance, resolution, contract & imaging.

For centuries we have been enamored by the heavens, staring out at the stars, planets & moons that captured our imagination & continue to do so. As telescopes became more affordable, interest in space exploded & millions of Astronomers & would-be Astronomers were born & turned their eyes towards the skies.

The fact that very high quality telescopes like Intes telescopes are affordable for non-professional Astronomers adds to the overall interest in space. And so… So far so good. Whether using the telescope to debate whether or not Pluto is or isn’t a planet, to look at a shooting star, to simply admire the awe of the Universe or for whatever other purpose you’re using the telescope, the quality of the telescope can not actually be overstated.

As with all consumer products, not all telescopes are made alike & it’s important that you consider the model of telescope you’re considering prior to investing a considerable sum of money in a telescope. The best way to feel confident that you’re purchasing the right telescope is to buy the telescope that has the best reputation in the industry that relies on them - Astronomy.

The Internet has made it easy to research & buy telescopes. Looking on line for which telescope to buy will undoubtedly have you putting Intes telescopes at or near the top of your list of telescopes. The combination of quality & pricing makes the Intes telescopes among the best in the industry & that is why Astronomers & would-be Astronomers around the world trust Intes telescopes.

Byran Kempa for Telescope Information - a resource site providing information on a variety of telescopes including intes telescopes.

Byran Kempa

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

The World Of Refractor Telescopes

January 15th, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

Refractor telescopes are some of the oldest telescopes available, utilized at around the beginning of the 15th century & still around today the refractor telescope is quite possibly one of the oldest telescopes in use today. Made up of concave lenses that allow the light to be refracted & images to appear bright & larger than looking at it with the normal eye the refractor telescope can greatly aid in seeing stars, planets & moons.

These telescopes are made up of convex lenses & an eyepiece lens similar to binoculars, these refractors gather light & bend it in order to view objects at a distance, which is particularly useful when looking at stars & the night sky Refractor telescopes may seem complicated & are made up of lenses that are concave & refract the light.


The telescope come in a variety of versions; the Galilean telescope which is named after its creator was one of the first versions & was improved upon by Johannes Kepler with the Keplerian Telescope, which is a refractor telescope that utilized a convex eyepiece as opposed to a concave of the Galilean model. The decades & centuries since have observed newer inventions & different lenses, with the achromatic refractors invented in the mid 16th century & later with apochromatic refractors.

Pros & Cons of Refractor Telescopes

I stated previously that refractor telescopes have been around a long time & with that comes a definite plus since there is a definitive ability to know what the pros & cons of the telescope. These telescopes have obviously come a long was since the 15th century yet the technology has increased to a point in which the refractors have improved yet the size of refractor telescopes pose a problem in the fact that the larger the refractor lens the more chance that it can have defects or begin to sag.

While technology continues to grow & there is no telling where refractor lenses in telescopes will go to in the future one thing for sure is that refractor telescopes have been around for centuries & thus show no decline in their use by many of astronomers. So… So no matter what telescope you select to utilize to view the universe or neighborhood, you can not dismiss the value of the refractor telescope & the impact that its utilization has had on astronomy & the search of the skies.

By: Ann Marier -

Ann Marier has written many articles on health questions providing help-ful tips & advice. Read all about her latest articles on telescopes & how to use a child telescope to generate their interest in the universe

Ann Marier -

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

How Binoculars Work

January 12th, 2008 stillaig Posted in Telescopes and binoculars | No Comments »

If you understand how telescopes work, then you understand how binoculars work. Binoculars are, after all, nothing more than two telescopes attached to each other.

Binoculars are essentially a series of mirrors & prisms made of glass that take incoming light & provide the viewer with a magnified image. Each ½ of the binocular has three major parts.

The lenses at the front of the binoculars, the largest lenses, are called the Objective Lenses. The Objective Lens is where all the light comes into the binoculars. The Objective Lens focuses the light coming into the binoculars, and projects the image it receives as an upside-down image into the binoculars. Clear? In this way, the Objective Lens is a refracting lens. The larger the Objective Lens, the brighter the final image will be since it can take in more light. The trade off, how ever, is in convenience, as a larger Objective Lens will result in larger & heavier binoculars. Of course, higher quality lenses can be brighter than cheaper Objective Lenses of any size. Indeed, to ensure that the Objective Lens projects the sharpest image possible, it’s important to use a high quality lens. Right. With lower quality lenses, not all the light will be refracted at the same angle, causing the final image to be distorted in shape & color.

The image is turned the right way up by the second major part, the prism. In the common Porro design, the image is turned the right way up by two prisms set at right angles to each other. This is what accounts for the traditional binocular shape. For lots more money, you can get binoculars with a roof prism setting that allows for a more streamlined design. No matter what layout the prisms use, the final result is always the same. The prisms then project the corrected image down the binoculars towards the last major component.

The third major part of the binoculars is the eyepiece lenses. These lenses fulfill the binoculars’ main purpose of magnifying images. The eyepiece lenses then project the magnified, right way up image to the viewer’s eyes. Clear? It’s important to consider this last step, from the eyepiece lenses to the viewer’s eyes. Every pair of binoculars has a different eye relief, or optimum distance between the viewer’s eyes & the eyepiece lenses. Clear? In particular, if you wear glasses, you should look for binoculars that have a long eye relief. So, now that you know how binoculars work, get out there & attempt some!

Byran Kempa for Binocular Source - A site with news & articles on binoculars such as breaker cobra binoculars.

Byran Kempa

AddThis Social Bookmark Button