May
06
The practice of viewing stars and galaxies using a telescope is known as stargazing. It is a known fact that we can all be able to see some starts using our eyes, at most four. However, if you need to view the galaxies and billions of stars that are beyond your scope, you should be thinking about investing in a telescope.
A telescope for stargazing is not a general-purpose telescope. This implies that telescopes used for viewing stars and planets should be somewhat different from standard telescopes. As a tip, you need to get some insights and recommendations from a telescope buying guide shared by seasoned stargazers. That said, here are some factors to consider when shopping for a telescope for viewing planets and stars.
The Focal Ratio
Planets and the moon are among the brightest objects in the sky. Considering that these units are far away from the earth, you need a telescope that a long focal length. A large focal length translates to a high focal ratio, which is essentially the focal length divided by the aperture size in millimeters. A telescope with a focal length of at least 8mm is ideal for both planet and star observation.
Magnification
Another critical parameter to consider when shopping for a telescope for stargazing is magnification. For planet and stargazing, go for a telescope with the highest magnification. Unfortunately, there are times where the prevailing atmospheric conditions can limit the magnification offered by the telescope’s lenses. Thus, when looking at the manufacture’s claims on magnification, you also need to consider things such as the air quality, aperture size, and the quality of the optics.
Optics Quality
For a fact, telescopes with better optics offer an enhanced viewing experience. In light of this, it is imperative to go for a device with the best refractors because they tend to give unobstructed views than reflectors. This is justified by the fact that there are no secondary mirrors to obstruct the light getting to top-end lenses. It is a known fact that an 80mm refractor will give you quality views than a 150 mm reflector.
Mounting
It is also imperative to consider the quality of the mounts. A good mount serves to improve your chances of keeping up with a scene that is moving. The type of controls defines the quality of the mount. Although the best mount can be a bit costly, it will certainly help you pick up some rare-to-see planetary details. …