How to Buy a Telescope

Are you looking for a Christmas gift that has educational value, can look back in time and can spark a life-long love of nature? Consider a telescope!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access

1. 
    
   M45 Pleiades by Dave Tandy

   Buying a telescope can be intimidating. There are many choices, accessories and the cost can range from $100 to $100,000. However with some research and a bit of snooping, one can find a great deal on a telescope that will show to them the wonders of the universe. The first thing you'll need to do before buying a scope is to understand the basics. There are basically three types of telescopes. A refractor uses a lens to collect light and form an image. This is the type of telescope most people envision when they think "telescope". A reflector uses mirrors to collect light and form an image. Finally, a catadioptric (all called a "cat") telescope uses a combination of mirrors and lenses to collect light and form an image. A quick Internet search will reveal numerous website describing in detail the advantages and disadvantages of each type of scope. Also, consider buying a couple of astronomy magazines at the local bookstore. Two of the more popular publications are Astronomy and Sky & Telescope. Both of these magazines have articles on telescope as well as numerous advertisements for every type of telescope.

2. 
    
   Mars 2005. Image by Dave Tandy

   In general, a refractor or small "cat" type telescope makes a great first choice. These telescopes require little maintenance and can be fairly compact and easy to handle. Don't get carried away by how much a telescope can magnify an object. Magnification is an important consideration, but other factors such as how much light the scope collects (driven by the diameter of the lens or mirror), how easy it is to point the telescope and how easy it is to focus the telescope are just as important. The absolute best way to understand how these telescope consideration impact the experience of using a telescope is to contact someone at your local astronomy club, attend a "star party" and ask as many questions about telescopes as you can. Most astronomy club members love talking telescopes and you'll gain invaluable "hands on" experience by seeing and using a variety of telescopes first hand. Explain to them that your looking for an entry-level telescope and you'll get a lot of great input regarding good telescope makers, what accessories to consider, and where to buy.

3. 
    
   M42 Orion Nebula by Dave Tandy

   Once you've learned the basics about telescope types and have had an opportunity to use a few by visiting with members of your local astronomy club, you will be on your way to making an informed purchase. The internet is a great resource for locating good deals on telescopes. Leverage what you learned through your Internet, magazine and astronomy club research to develop a short list of telescope and accessories that fit within your budget. Decent entry-level scopes can be bought for as little as $150 to $250. While that isn't cheap, keep in mind that a well-loved telescope can last a long time and that a well-maintained telescope can often be sold for 50% or more of what you paid.

4. 
    
   Horsehead Nebula by Dave Tandy

   So you've made your decision and bought a telescope. Congratulations! When the telescope arrives, take your time setting it up. Read the directions thoroughly and realize that it may take some time to get everything set up. Finally, be patient when you first try to use the telescope. It may take your a few attempts to learn to point and focus the telescope. Consider this time well-spent. Once you've mastered the mechanics of using the telescope, you will be treated to literally thousands of beautiful night-sky objects.

5. 
    
   Moon craters by Dave Tandy

   One last thought... keep in mind that any telescope you choose is a time machine as well as a means to travel the universe. While light does travel quickly, it still takes time to travel from a star, galaxy or planet to our Earth. This simple fact means that when you look through a telescope, you are looking at a star, galaxy or planet as it was at some point in the past. For a planet, the image you see may only be a few minutes from the past while for a galaxy, the image may be from millions of years in the past. How neat is that! Enjoy and good luck making your choice!