So..... you wanna buy a Telescope
(WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! DANGER Will Robinson!)

If you are thinking about the purchase of a telescope or pair of binoculars, please DO NOT go to the nearest department store or discount store.  (Please DO check out Absolute Beginners 'Stronomy Page, Sky & Telescope Magazine, Astronomy Magazine or the American Association of Amateur Astronomers so that you can do a bit o' research and soak up a bit o' knowledge on 'scopes and observing before making your choice.  My friends Paul & Liz give good advice too!)

Claims of very high magnification for 'scopes seen at department and discount stores are not really true.  These 'scopes are
incapable of quality views at the high powers claimed and will only frustrate the observer with poor, fuzzy and dim views.  The two most important things to consider when buying a 'scope are:

 

1.     Aperture (the diameter), it's ability to gather light, the greater the diameter, the more light can be gathered, therefore the dimmer or fainter the objects one can see.

 

2.     Stability of the mount and tripod, because if the 'scope is jiggling, how can you get a good look at what you're trying to get a good look at?  (By the way, any instability will increase almost geometrically with increased magnification)

 

Magnification is the LEAST important consideration, I usually observe at 60X. For lunar or planetary observing I'll go higher, say 120X +, but only if the sky is very steady and turbulence is minimal.  In ALL 'scopes, image quality actually deteriorates as the magnification increases, even under the very best of observing conditions.

 

Please consider these important considerations when

considering the considerable purchase of a 'scope:

Are you ready for a scope? How well do you know the night sky?  Perhaps a year or two with a good pair of binoculars and a planisphere or star charts may be the place to start.  A telescope can be frustrating if you are not familiar with the positions of stars and constellations.

How much can you afford? Establish a budget. Good, quality 'scopes or binoculars start at about $100 to $150.

What do you want to do with the 'scope?  Visual observing, film photography or possibly even CCD photography?

What do you want to look at?  Lunar, planetary, solar, deep space (galaxies and nebulae), variables, doubles, or everything and anything (like me)?

Where will you be observing from? Your backyard, or will you need to travel to get to "dark skies"?  How portable does the scope need to be?

Remember, no one type of 'scope does everything perfectly, some compromises will have to be made depending upon your answers to these questions.  Do some research at some of the links on this page and on the “Sausages” (Links not patties) page .  Visit a Telescope Dealer, they are very knowledgeable and very happy to answer any questions. 

Possibly THE VERY BEST ADVICE I can give would be to JOIN AN ASTRONOMY CLUB* where you can talk to more experienced observers and even join them when they observe.  Sky & Telescope Magazine offers a list of Museums, Organizations and Clubs by geographic location at their website under the heading "Resources"

 

Then GO FOR IT! Good Luck!