How To Buy Your First Telescope

Charlie Haffey

781-255-0229chaffey@norwood.k12.ma.uswww.norwood.k12.ma.us/sci

The Target User

Child

Adult

Beginner

Novice

What You Expect

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap050428.html

What You Get

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap050428.html

Types of Scopes

•Reflector

•Refractor

http://www.omni-optical.com/telescope/images/ut104-2scopes.gif

Reflector

http://www.omni-optical.com/telescope/images/ut104-2scopes.gif

Refractor

Types of Mounts

•Dobsonian

•Equatorial

Dobsonian

•Up and down

•Left and right

www.astrostuff.com/ Swift_Telescopes.htm

Equatorial mount

Rotates parallel to Earth’s axis

Easier tracking of objects

Magnification

http://www.celestron.com/tb-trms.htm

Focal Length

Calculate Magnification

Focal length of telescopeFocal length of eyepiece

1000 mm25 mm

= 40

Magnification Limits

•40x most common

•Increase magnification-•decrease field of view •decrease brightness

•Over 100x •rarely used•very difficult tracking

Image Brightness

Small increase in mirror diameter Large increase in surface area

6 inch mirror = 28 in2 area

8 inch mirror = 50 in2 area

Mr. Haffey Recommends

Six inch Dobsonian

$259 & up

The cheapest, easiest and best way

to improve your first telescope...

Zero magnification finder

EZ Finder™ II

Reflex Sight

$34.95

Upside is up finder

Right Angle

Correct-Image

Finder Scopes

$49.95 - $79.95

Do Not Buy

750 power!

From a deli

With unanswered questions

Do Buy

Largest opening you can afford

Move & use with comfort

Reputable source

Vendors

Orion Telescopes www.telescope.com

Meade Telescopes www.meade.com

Celestron Telescopes www.celestron.com

The Camera Company www.cameraco.com

866-769-0210

After you buy your first telescope

Contact Mr. Haffey

•First setup•First use•First light

Good Luck, Have Fun!