Telescopes: Cause Chicks Dig ‘Em

Actually, that’s not why anyone buys a telescope. Well, maybe self deluded dudes that have somehow resolved in their minds that a telescope will make them cool and attractive to ladies. Actually, I doubt there are any dudes who think that. Anyway, the number of females who do in fact dig telescopes is probably small compared to the population of the US. 

So if you’re thinking getting becoming totally attractive to the opposite sex by purchasing a telescope, you should know a thing or two about them first. 

TYPES!

Reflectors!

Sir Isaac Newton invented them because he was smarter than you. Reflectors use mirrors to “gather” light and focus it into your eye. LIKE A LASER! But safely. Unless you look at the star closest to earth. That’s not safe, that’s instant blindness. They’re classified by the diameter of the primary (the big) mirror at the bottom of the tube. Newtonian reflectors can be placed on standard tripod mounts or on Dobsonian mounts, which are like lazy susans.

Refractors!

Not invented by Galileo Galilei! He just pointed it at the sky first. A couple of Dutch dudes invented it. Refracting telescopes use glass (or plastic depending on where you buy one) lenses to gather and refract light into your eye. They’re classified by the diameter of the primary (the big) lens. Binoculars are actually two refractors side by side. 

There are two types of refractor: achromatic and apochromatic. Achromatic are cheaper but can make celestial objects appear with a purple or green ring around them. Apochromatic are more expensive (starting at about $600) but show everything in true color like reflectors.

All telescopes are just different types of Reflectors or Refractors. They range in price which I will now break down for you:

Refractors

• Cheap refracting garbage you get at Walmart or bix box stores - $10-$150
• Small achromatic refractors on Alt Az or simple equatorial mounts - $80-$250
• Good achromatic refractors above 100mm - $250 and up
• 80mm Apochromatic refractors - around $700
• Apochromatic refractors above 80mm - $1000 and up

Reflectors

• Small Newtonian reflectors on equatorial mount, 130mm or less - $130-$250
• Reflector 4.5” to 6” mirror on Dobsonian (lazy susan) mount - $200-$300
• Reflector 8” to 12” mirror on Dobsonian mount - $330-$800
• Dobsonian Reflector 8” to 12” mirror w/ computer guide- $400-$1100
• Dobsonian Reflector larger than 12” mirror - $1200-$20,000

There are also other types of reflectors called Schmidt Cassegrains

and Maksutov Cassegrains

which both work similarly in that they “fold” light. This give you a focal length similar to large newtonian reflectors, just in a small package.The light travels through these scopes like this:

These scopes generally run $200-$2000 depending on the size of primary mirror.

There also many types of tripods and mounts. Some just go up and down (Altitude Azimuth), some rotate with the rotation of the earth (equatorial), some use computers to go to celestial objects (GOTO), and some are a mix of both equatorial and GOTO. Good mounts can cost more than the scope on top of them.

Word of advice: Don’t spend less than $300 for a telescope. You’ll just be disappointed and quit the hobby. Before you buy, go to a local star party hosted by your local astronomical club/society and look through the different scopes and see what you like. Learn what fits your style. 

For star parties in Birmingham check out the Birmingham Astronomical Society. www.bas-astro.com