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Quick Tips on Telescopes
1. Don't be put off by the dizzying number of telescope types, models, and features available. Even a small, simple telescope is powerful enough to bring many aspects of the universe into view; the specific features will depend on your specific needs.
2. If you are considering a telescope for a child, a refractor telescope is probably the best choice. Refractor telescopes feature rugged construction and a bottom eyepiece position that is easy for children to reach.
3. Reflector telescopes are larger in size than refractor telescopes, and are the best option for studying deep-sky objects. They also produce high-quality images, and have the added benefit of being relatively economical.
4. Refractor telescopes use lenses to focus light and bring objects closer, much in the same way that binoculars do. Reflector telescopes use mirrors to focus ambient light into the scope and reflect it into the eyepiece.
5. Catadioptric telescopes offer the best of both refractor and reflector technologies by using both lenses and mirrors to focus light. They also feature a bottom-positioned eyepiece like refractor telescopes.
6. Catadioptric telescopes are lighter in weight and more compact than either refractor or reflector telescopes, making them more portable and easier to maneuver.
7. A Dobsonian telescope is a simple, cost-effective Newtonian reflector scope, and a perfect option for the purist. Dobsonian telescopes are completely low-tech, yet powerful enough to satisfy even deep-sky enthusiasts.
