Telescope Guides
Optics, mounts, eyepieces, collimation and everything that makes a telescope work.
Telescope GuidesHow to Fix a Telescope with Focus Problems in 11 Easy Steps
Make sure there isn't anything between you and the target object. This can be difficult when you're trying to calibrate in your backyard, but it's…
AstrophotographyHow to Fix an Inverted Image in a Telescope
Identify the type of telescope you have. For Refractors and Cassegrains connect a star diagonal to your eyepiece. To improve or "erect" the image, use an…
Telescope GuidesHow To Build a DIY Telescope Mount on a Budget
Budget considerations also play an integral part in selecting materials for your DIY project. At first glance, it might seem tempting to opt for…
Telescope GuidesDoublet Vs Triplet Refractor
The main difference between a doublet and triplet refractor is a doublet has two lens elements, while a triplet has three elements that make up the…
Telescope GuidesHow to Grind a Telescope Mirror in 10 Easy Steps
The building process of a telescope mirror is the most rewarding when correctly following the guidelines.
Telescope GuidesHow Much Magnification To See Jupiter?
But before you set off on this adventure, it's crucial to understand the basics of magnification. Magnification is determined by the focal length of your…
Telescope GuidesHow to Build Your Own DIY Digital Setting Circles
You’ll need two rotary encoders, mounting hardware, and the Digital Setting Circles (DSC) unit itself. The encoders do vary in resolution. Therefore, a…
Telescope Guides70mm Vs 80mm Telescope
The focal length is undoubtedly the primary difference between a 70mm and an 80mm telescope. A 70-mm telescope has a 70mm (2.75 inches) focal length,…
Telescope GuidesHow to Coat a Telescope Mirror Yourself
Steps for Telescope Mirror Coating
Telescope GuidesErecting Prism Vs Diagonal
The main difference between an erecting prism and a diagonal is that images appear vertically and horizontally correct for an erecting prism. In contrast,…
Telescope GuidesBasic Stargazing Tips: How to Set Up for a Great Night in Your Backyard
Simple, practical stargazing tips for beginners: when to go out, how to set up in a backyard, how to let your eyes adapt, and what to look at first.
Telescope GuidesCelestron Vs Gskyer
The main differences between Celestron and Gskyer telescopes are the type of mount, the quality of the optics, and the accessories that come with the…
Telescope GuidesCan You Rent Telescopes? (We Compared Prices)
Have you ever wished you could have a closer look at the stars as you were gazing at them? Well, you can rent a telescope from a rental company or an…
Telescope GuidesCan You Use A Telescope To Look At Wildlife?
Telescopes are often thought of as tools for astronomy, but they can also be used to view wildlife. Telescopes can provide amazing views of animals in…
Telescope GuidesWhat Can You See With An 8 Inch Dobsonian Telescope?
With an 8-inch Dobsonian telescope, you can see things like the terminator of the Moon, planets, star clusters, Orion Nebulae, and galaxies. You can also…
Telescope GuidesCan Telescopes Damage Your Eyes? (Are Telescopes Dangerous)
A telescope doesn’t damage your eyes the same way that looking at a solar eclipse can. However, if you stare at the sun through a telescope for an…
Telescope Guides5 Things You Need To Know When Stargazing On A Cruise
Imagine sailing across the vast ocean, with an endless tapestry of stars above you, twinkling like diamonds in the night sky. Stargazing on a cruise…
Telescope GuidesHow To Clean Telescope Lens - Without Damaging It
It's easy to feel liberated when you're gazing at galaxies far away, but remember - maintaining that sense of freedom requires some responsibility as well.
Telescope GuidesHow High Should a Telescope Pier Be? Telescope Pier Height
You can quickly decide the telescope pier height by using the following method.
Telescope GuidesI Can't See Anything Out Of My Telescope
Make sure the eyepiece is clean and inserted correctly. Tighten the focuser, use the Telescope when it is dark, collimate it properly, unblock it, and…
Telescope GuidesIs Astronomy Hard? The Challenges to Master the Science of the Stars
Astronomy is a difficult and complicated subject that requires a lot of effort and hard work. To fully comprehend the concepts and theories, you must have…
Beginner GuidesIs The Viewfinder On A Telescope Supposed To Be Upside Down?
No. In fact, the viewfinder on your telescope is not upside down. The images you see through the viewfinder are opposite to what you would normally see…
Telescope GuidesExploring the Night Sky: A Guide to Winter Constellations
The night sky is a fascinating sight that many of us enjoy observing and photographing. Winter constellations offer an array of breathtaking sights, with…
Telescope GuidesHow To Use A Planisphere - The Correct Way
It's your personal map of the cosmos, allowing you to navigate through constellations and celestial bodies with ease.
Telescope GuidesHow to Look Through a Telescope with Glasses?
Using eyeglasses and Barrow lenses, you can see through the telescope with a larger and longer eyepiece of a focal length of at least 15 mm. Also, you may…
Telescope GuidesTelescope Vs Telephoto Lens
The main difference between a telescope and a telephoto lens is its purpose. A telescope is designed for astronomical purposes, while a telephoto lens is…
Telescope GuidesApertura Ad8 Vs Ad10
The key differences between the Apertura Ad8 and Ad10 are the size of the Aperture and the focal length. The Ad08 has an aperture of F/11, while the Ad010…
Telescope GuidesCelestron Finderscope Not Working
You can do a few things to try and fix a Celestron finderscope that is now working. First, check that the batteries are fresh and installed correctly.…
Buyer GuidesCelestron 5se Vs 6se Reviewed - Is It Worth It?
Furthermore, both the Celestron NexStar 5SE and 6SE are compatible with a wide range of advanced accessories, allowing you to customize your setup as your…
Telescope Guides70mm Telescope: What Can You See With One?
Nearly all of the most notable celestial objects will be visible using a 70mm telescope. It is quite easy to observe every planet in the Solar System with…
Telescope GuidesWhat Does a Telescope Extension Tube Do?
A telescope extension tube is an additional, optional piece of equipment that can be added to a telescope. Its purpose is to increase the telescope's…
AstrophotographyHow to Make a Flat Frame Lightbox for Astrophotography?
Did you know you can make an astrophotography flat frame lightbox with the following simple steps?
AstrophotographyHow Many Dark Frames Astrophotography?
For an imaging project, I've had good results with 10 to 15 dark frames. Some photographers prefer way more, up to 50 dark frames on a photograph, but I…
Beginner GuidesTelescopes vs. Binoculars (What Are the Differences)
There are many differences between telescopes and binoculars. The most obvious one is the magnification. A telescope can have up to 1000x magnification…
Telescope GuidesWhy Do I See Crosshairs In My Telescope?
The crosshairs in your telescope are most likely to be spider vanes, the metallic or plastic pieces that hold the telescope's secondary mirror in place.…
Telescope Guides2x or 3x Barlow Lens Compared- Which is Better?
The formula itself is simple: divide the focal length of your telescope by that of your eyepiece. So if you have a 1000mm telescope and use a 10mm…
Buyer GuidesHow To Put A Filter On A Telescope
To attach a filter onto your telescope, first select the type of filter, prepare the eyepiece lens and remove it, thread the filter into the eyepiece…
Telescope GuidesHow To Collimate a Bird Jones Telescope in 10 Steps
Set up the telescope and aim it at a distant object, use a collimation tool to inspect the alignment of the mirrors, and then adjust the primary mirror…
Telescope GuidesCan Telescope Be Used As Binoculars?
Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and wished you could get a closer look? Perhaps you own a telescope, but what if you wanted to explore the…
Telescope GuidesAlt Azimuth Mount Vs Equatorial - What's The Difference?
The construction of these mounts varies greatly depending on whether it's an alt-azimuth or equatorial type.
Telescope GuidesTelrad VS Red Dot Finder Compared- Which is Better?
Conversely, the red dot finder embodies minimalism in design with its compact size and straightforward functionality that speaks to your innate desire for…
AstrophotographyHow to Set Up an Equatorial Mount Southern Hemisphere
Set up the mount . You will need to find a flat surface with good "elevation." Find the latitude of your position. There are various online tools you can…
Telescope GuidesHow Powerful Of a Telescope Do You Need To See Mars?
You can see Mars with any telescope with an aperture of 5"+. But if you want to get the most out of your viewing, aim for at least 20" of aperture. This…
Telescope GuidesHow To Aim A Telescope
To aim your Telescope, you first need to collimate it, then find the object, center your target object in the view of your Telescope, and adjust the focal…
Telescope GuidesWhy Are Takahashi Telescopes So Expensive?
Superb mechanical and optical quality is one of the major reasons Takahashi telescopes are so expensive. The company has a well-deserved reputation for…
Telescope GuidesHow to See Titan with a Telescope
Observing the night sky has always been a timeless fascination for many people. The glimpse at the vast celestial mysteries in our universe can be…
AstrophotographyCan you Polar Align without Polaris?
Yes. You can polar align a telescope's polar axis without having a visual on Polaris. Use the following steps to adjust for polar alignment without Polaris.
Telescope GuidesWhat Age Is Good For a Telescope?
From age three, children can be introduced to sky-gazing using a telescope. What matters in the appropriate age for telescope use is a child's vision and…
Telescope GuidesCan You Bring a Telescope on a Cruise?
Yes, you can observe the stars while on a cruise. Because they generally travel far from sources of light pollution, cruises are perfect stargazing…
Telescope GuidesCelestron C6 Vs C8
The major differences between the Celestron C6 and C-8 are their aperture and weight. The Celestron C6 has a smaller aperture of 150mm, while the…
Telescope GuidesCan Telescopes Get Wet? (Damage And Repairs!)
Additionally, silica gel packets can be placed inside carrying cases or near sensitive components to help absorb any excess moisture that may accumulate…
Telescope GuidesFast VS Slow Telescope Compared-Which is Better?
As we delve further into Focal Ratio Evolution over time, it becomes clear that this aspect plays an integral role in shaping our cosmic observations and…
AstrophotographyReflector vs. Refractor Telescope Pros and Cons
Anyone venturing into astronomy or astrophotography should understand reflector vs. refractor telescope pros and cons. Both telescopes have their uses and…
AstrophotographyHow to Autoguide Telescope without a Computer
Autoguiding a telescope without a computer is possible by the use of Stand-Alone Guiders. You can also opt for the DSLR which has the capability of…
AstrophotographyHow to Balance a Telescope for Astrophotography
Make sure your telescope is on a stable surface. Ensure that all three legs are planted firmly into the ground at their full length. Use a bubble level to…
AstrophotographyEyepiece Projection vs Prime Focus- Which is Better for Astro-imaging?
The prime focus approach is preferred if you have a high-quality telescope and camera with flat field characteristics. Eyepiece projection is a simpler…
Telescope GuidesCan you use a Spotting Scope for Astronomy?
You can use a spotting scope for astronomy. While it does not have as much magnification power as a telescope, a spotting scope still has enough power for…
Telescope GuidesCan A Telescope See Through Clouds? Your Burning Question Answered
A typical telescope cannot see through clouds because it works through the same mechanism as the human eye. For you to see objects using a telescope the…
Telescope GuidesHow To Polar Align A Telescope During The Day
You can align a telescope during the day using a smartphone, a protractor, and a smartphone, the sun or a polar scope, and a compass. However, care must…
Telescope GuidesHow Does a Telescope Dew Shield Work
The dew shield works by reducing the amount of heat radiated out into space from the optics. Whenever the glass temperature falls below the dew point, dew…
Telescope GuidesCan A Telescope Be Stored Outside?
It is not safe to store a telescope outside. Extreme temperatures and weather conditions can cause damage to the Telescope. If you must store the…
AstrophotographyWhat Can You See With a 90mm Telescope?
With a 90mm telescope, you can see some of the most famous objects in the night sky, including the Moon, the Andromeda galaxy, the great cluster in…
Telescope GuidesDobsonian Vs Equatorial Mount
Dobsonian mounts are simple and easy to use, while equatorial mounts are more complicated but offer better tracking. Dobsonian mounts are a subtype of the…
Telescope GuidesApertura Ad8 Vs Dt8
The Ad8 and Dt8 telescopes differ in magnifying power and eyepieces. The Ad8 has higher magnifying power, a longer focal length, and two eyepieces. It…
Telescope GuidesApertura Ad8 Vs. Orion Xt8
The key differences between the Apertura Ad8 and the Orion Xt8 are their lenses and accessories. The Apertura Ad telescope has an eight-inch lens, while…
Telescope GuidesWhy Are Questar Telescopes So Expensive?
The ease of use and extreme portability of the Questar telescope make it a great choice for many astronomers. Most people prefer a telescope that is easy…
Telescope GuidesHow To Use Dew Heater Telescope
To correctly use a telescope dew heater, you should first get the right type of heater for your telescope and make sure it is powered correctly. Next, you…
Buyer GuidesBest Telescope For Land Viewing
Telescopes are a great way to view objects from a distance. They can be used for both land and sky viewing, depending on the type of telescope that you…
Buyer GuidesCollimation Cap vs. Cheshire: Which One Should You Get in 2023?
When it comes to durability, both caps have their pros and cons. One of the best things about a Collimation Cap is its aluminum body and comes with rubber…
Telescope GuidesHow To Tell If Telescope Needs Collimation
As an avid stargazer, you might have experienced moments when your telescope's images appear blurry or distorted. This frustrating situation can often be…
Telescope GuidesWhat Can You See With 100x Magnification Telescope?
With the 100x magnification telescope, you can see the craters on the moon, the rings of Saturn, and the moons of Jupiter. You can also see galaxies and…
Telescope GuidesWhat is Flocking a Telescope?
Flocking is the process of applying an adhesive, fuzzy flock material to telescope optical surfaces. The goal is to improve contrast and reduce light…
Telescope GuidesCatadioptric Telescopes Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
Telescope GuidesWhat Can You See With 100mm Telescope?
With a 100mm telescope, you can see all the planets except Pluto, the moon, stars, and nebulas. This scope can clearly capture the Moon’s craters and…
Buyer GuidesMaksutov vs. Newtonian Telescope
The magnification capability of a telescope should not be looked at in isolation as it will depend on the aperture size and quality of optics used. You…
Beginner GuidesDoes A Telescope Work In The City?
Yes, a telescope can work in the city. However, you need to have the right telescope for the city, choose the right location, and know when and what to…
Beginner GuidesAre Telescope Eyepieces Universal?
Yes, most telescope eyepieces are designed to be used with a wide variety of telescopes. However, there are some non-standard eyepieces that are specific…
Telescope GuidesWhy is Everything Blurry Through My Telescope
A blurry Telescope is a result of an incorrect focus, too much magnification, environmental factors, temperature, turbulence, or warm ground. When the…
Telescope GuidesOrion Vs Celestron Telescopes ( Which Is Better)
The Orion and Celestron telescopes are two of the most popular telescope brands on the market. Both offer a wide range of products for amateurs and…
Telescope GuidesDobsonian Vs Cassegrain
The major difference between Dobsonian and Cassegrain telescopes is that the Cassegrain telescopes are catadioptric while the Dobsonian telescopes are…
Telescope GuidesAwb Onesky vs Heritage 130P
These telescopes are essentially the same, the only difference being the brand. Awb Onesky is made by a telescope company called Awb, while Heritage 130P…
Telescope GuidesKellner Vs Plossl
Kellner eyepieces have three glass pieces, a doublet and a singlet. Plossl eyepieces have four glass elements and two doublets. A Kellner's field of view…
Telescope GuidesHow to Store a Telescope
Choose a location that’s safe, dry, and out of direct sunlight. Store it in its original case or find a suitable replacement. Disassemble the eyepiece and…
Telescope GuidesWhat Does mm Mean On A Telescope Lens?
You've finally decided to take the plunge and explore the wonders of the night sky with a shiny new telescope. As you browse through various models and…
Telescope GuidesWhat Size Telescope To See Mars? - Will a Budget Telescope Work?
A telescope is more than just a tube with lenses at both ends. It has several major components, each playing a critical role in gathering and focusing…
Telescope GuidesHow to See Jupiter with a Telescope
Observing the majestic planet Jupiter through the lenses of a telescope is an awesome experience that can transmute you from an ordinary stargazer into a…
Telescope GuidesHow to See Saturn with a Telescope
There is nothing more amazing for amateur astronomers than being able to view celestial objects in almost live conditions. However, nothing comes close to…
Telescope GuidesHow to See Venus with a Telescope
Observing the planet Venus is relatively easy since it is the third brightest object in the sky after the Sun and the moon. Looking at it and its phases…
Telescope GuidesWhat are the Differences Between a Powermate and a Barlow?
A Powermate lens consists of 4 optical elements: negative doublet followed by positive doublets. Meanwhile, a Barlow lens contains 2 or 3 optical…
Telescope GuidesHow to Clean a Telescope Mirror Using Alcohol
After proper dusting, your telescope mirror surface, spray the solvent (alcohol). You can either opt to use a tissue or cotton to wipe off the solvent.…
AstrophotographyHow to Choose the Best Focal Ratio for Astrophotography
A long focal ratio gives a narrower field of view and higher magnification. This is great for observing the moon, planets, double stars, etc. An ideal…
Telescope GuidesLong vs Short Focal Length Telescope
A short focal length gives a wide angle of vision, but the images will appear smaller. Long focal lengths offer narrower fields of view, but the images…
Telescope GuidesCan You Use A Telescope During The Day?
You can use a telescope during the day, but this is not always advisable. You can view a lot of objects in the sky during the day. However, extreme…
Telescope GuidesCan You Use A Telescope Through A Window?
It is possible to use a telescope through a window; however, you will not obtain a clear view. So if you are a professional astronomer, you cannot use a…
Telescope GuidesCan A Monocular Telescope Be Used For Stargazing?
A monocular telescope is a great option for those looking for an affordable way to enjoy the beauty of the night sky. It may not offer the same level of…
Telescope GuidesWhat Do Stars Look Like Through a Telescope (and Up Close)?
Through any telescope, stars stay points of light. Here is why, what a telescope does show you, and what a star really looks like up close.
Telescope GuidesDobsonian Vs Reflector
The main difference between a Dobsonian and Reflector telescope is the type of mount each uses. A Dobsonian telescope uses a simple alt-azimuth mount,…
Telescope GuidesAwb Onesky vs. Zhumell Z130
The key difference between the Awb Onesky and Zhumell Z130 is that the Awb Onesky is on collimation. You can collimate the Awb Onesky, but you can’t do…
Telescope GuidesHow To Navigate Using The Stars and a Telescope
Space exploration might seem like an activity reserved for astronauts and scientists, but with a bit of knowledge and curiosity, you, too, can embark on…
Telescope GuidesWhat Does Neptune Look Like Through Telescope?
It's not just about keeping your equipment clean and dust-free - although that's certainly part of it.
Telescope GuidesGuide To Buying Used Astronomy Equipment - Updated Version
Moreover, pre-owned telescopes often come with an array of additional accessories like eyepieces, filters, or mounts that were purchased separately by the…
Telescope GuidesHow to Safely Observe the Sun with a Telescope
The Sun has always captivated human curiosity for many years. The radiant gas-filled celestial object is at the heart of our Solar System and has a lot of…
Telescope GuidesHow to See Pluto with a Telescope
One of the celestial bodies that has always remained elusive and quite enigmatic in our Solar System for many years is Pluto. Nestled way beyond Neptune,…
Telescope GuidesWhy Is There a Haze or Glow Around Stars in My Telescope?
A soft haze around bright stars usually means dew, thin cloud, dirty optics or color error. How to tell which one you have, and how to fix it.