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How do I choose a scope that's right for me?
Home » Astronomy » Telescopes » How do I choose a scope that's right for me?Choosing a telescope is as individual as choosing a car. A large family wouldn’t be happy with a compact—while a single person has no real need for extra seating. The same is true with choosing a telescope—choose for your needs. You won’t be satisfied with a small telescope if you want to chase faint galaxies, but you don’t need a large one to enjoy the Moon.
If you live in the city, chances are you’ll be happiest with a small refractor or catadioptric to enjoy clean views of the Moon and the planets, as well as single stars. If you live in the suburbs the same holds true, but it just might be dark enough to enjoy the larger aperture that an affordable small reflector can give.
If you are going to travel to a dark sky site, portability becomes an issue. The refractor offers a more rugged structure, while the catadioptric offers aperture and compact design. There is also nothing wrong with a reflector for travel—as long as you remember that the more often you subject to it vibration and handling, the more often it will require collimation.
If you live rurally, then you really should consider a mid-to-large aperture reflector. The light grasp and resolution are unparalleled for the amount of money.
If you are planning on astrophotography, you will also need to consider a telescope's f-ratio—the focal length divided by the aperture, in millimeters. Those with smaller f-ratios are considered "fast" telescopes—requiring less exposure time.
No matter what size, design, or even manufacturer, you select, remember the telescope you will love the most is the one you will use. Choose a telescope you will feel confident in handling!
Related Telescopes Articles
- Choosing a Telescope
- What types of telescopes are there?
- What is a refractor?
- What is a reflector?
- What is a catadioptric?
- How do I choose a scope that's right for me?
- Where do I go to purchase a telescope?