In most modern telescopes, even amateur ones, the eyepieces are interchangeable so you can upgrade them with better ones. Magnification: The magnification is simply the relation between the focal length of the eyepiece and the focal length of your telescope (we explain focal length below, don’t worry about it for now). We have a whole guide dedicated to aperture in case you want to get into the details. While there are differences between brands and types of telescopes, you will usually want to go with the larger aperture your budget can afford. When it comes to aperture, the bigger the better. The one that is actually going to capture the light coming from space. The aperture refers to the diameter of the frontal lens in your telescope. Some people believe it is really the only one that matters. Here’s what each of them means listed in order of importance:Īperture: The aperture is by far the most important number in your telescope. If you are a bit familiarized with photography, the specs mean the exact same thing and will give you the same results as they would in a camera. While all these can seem overwhelming, they are not that hard to understand once you learn a few rules. Aperture, magnification, focal length… and then there’s telescope types and other numbers that you don’t know how to interpret. The most intimidating thing when buying a telescope for the first time is the specifications. You will need a telescope with an aperture of at least 10 inches (254mm) and maybe wait a few months until Earth is in the optimal spot in its orbit, but it is possible to see Pluto. They don’t reflect enough light from the Sun for us to receive back here on Earth. Objects beyond have been found, but they are detected using mathematical calculations. Pluto is the farthest object in the Solar System that can be directly observed with your eyes. You will need a pretty powerful telescope and the right conditions, but it is possible. Will I be able to see Pluto with a home telescope We go a bit more in-depth about this in the exoplanets section of this article. The planets we know about are detected using advanced image processing techniques and some clever tricks. In fact, not even observatories can see planets directly as they don’t reflect enough light from their respective stars. Home telescopes are simply not powerful enough to observe planets outside the Solar System. Can you see planets outside the Solar System with a telescope?. Hopefully, this will help you make a more informed decision as sometimes the process of purchasing your first scope can be filled with questions and uncertainty.įirst, let’s get some common questions out of the way. In this guide, we will try to take the guesswork out of it and tell you exactly what planets you should be able to observe depending on the telescope you choose to get. Even two telescopes with the same aperture and magnification can be different if they come from two different brands due to how well the lenses or mirrors have been polished and aligned. It is hard to find the specific information on what exactly can you expect to see with any given telescope as they are all different. The technical specifications for your telescope will determine how far away you can see and the quality of the images. A lot of scientists and people that end up in STEM fields started their careers as kids with a low powered telescope.īut not all telescopes are created equal. It lets you experience the wonders of the universe and ignites your curiosity to learn more about how the cosmos works. Seeing another planet from your window or backyard is an experience that fills you with awe. Having the opportunity to look at the planets in our Solar System is one of the main reasons why someone might want to invest their hard-earned money in their first telescope.
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