The telescopes tag has no wiki summary.
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4answers
355 views
Are telescopes with a concave lens useful for astronomy?
Are telescopes with a concave lens (instead of convex ones) ever useful for astronomy?
And if so, where are they used? Do they ever affect resolving power?
6
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2answers
85 views
If you focus in on one image, is combining two telescopes really equivalent to a larger mirror?
Have a look at this example:
In addition, the Keck I and Keck II telescopes can work together as the Keck Interferometer. The 85-metre (279 ft) separation between the two telescopes gives them the ...
2
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1answer
19 views
What was the most distant supernova spotted by a amateur astronomer until today?
What type of commercial amateur telescope and what method (difference imaging,...) did he use for identifying the supernova?
5
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2answers
46 views
Could many widely separated space telescopes be combined for VLBI on IR/visible wavelengths?
I have read about ground-based Very Long Baseline Interferometry telescope arrays able to achieve huge resolution at IR/visible wavelengths. There are also space-ground VLBI configurations in ...
5
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5answers
34 views
Which current big Earth-based telescopes are equipped with adaptive optics?
I know only that the VLT is equipped with adaptive optics (AO) to bypass atmospheric distortion. Is it the only one, or have other telescopes been build with AO in the optical and infrared spectrum?
6
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4answers
54 views
Does the current light pollution set a fundamental limit for the range of Earth-based telescopes?
As far as I know, all deep-sky pictures are captured with the Hubble Space Telescope.
If there would be no atmospheric distortion, could we make deeper pictures in the optical spectrum with ...
4
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4answers
217 views
Can the Hubble telescope bring any star into focus?
Lets say I am talking about a view like this supernova - 13 billions light year away. In short can Hubble bring any star into focus in the entire universe? And if so, to what definition?
I also ...
8
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5answers
67 views
Exoplanet detection via space-based parasol
I remember from watching Cosmos years ago, Carl Sagan suggested an interesting hypothetical method for directly seeing exoplanets. He proposed that in the 'future' we could launch a satellite designed ...
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8answers
1k views
Seeking Recommendation for Celestron Firstscope Eyepiece Upgrade
I have a Celestron Firstscope telescope and like it overall for my location and the amount of observing I do. I am disappointed in my view of the planets with the scope. What would be a good eye piece ...
6
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3answers
153 views
Is it possible to make a hydrogen-alpha solar scope?
Is the construction of an etalon / Fabry-Pérot interferometer within the reach of amateur telescope makers? Are there any resources pointing to such projects?
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4answers
139 views
Why don't we have a better telescope than the Hubble Space Telescope?
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was launched in 1990, more than 20 years ago, but I know that it was supposed to be launched in 1986, 24 years ago. Since it only took 66 years from the fist plane to ...
2
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3answers
271 views
How could I translate a field of view value into a magnification value?
When I zoom in with Stellarium, it indicates a field of view (FOV) value in degrees, but most binoculars and telescopes are advertised with value like "nX magnification power."
How could I translate ...
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3answers
60 views
How long would it take to scan the visible universe for unique signals?
The article Amazing rays as star succumbs to dark side talks about a very large black hole swallowing up a star. The report goes on to say that the only reason it was discovered was because it shot ...
8
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1answer
32 views
How do I use this 'Horizon Observatory'?
Just around the corner, we have one of these:
It's at the Halde Hoheward (article in the German wikipedia), and it's called a 'Horizon Observatory' by the people who built it.
How does it work ...
6
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4answers
68 views
Mixing and matching across eyepiece designs / manufacturers?
Right now, I am considering moving from 1.25" eyepieces to 2". While I'm convinced of the quality of the premium eyepieces, it would take me years to afford a complete set and, if I go that route, I ...
8
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2answers
365 views
How do you clean a dusty lens?
The lenses of my telescope and binoculars are dusty. What is the best way to clean them without damaging the optic coating?
8
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2answers
314 views
Smaller free remote control telescopes?
There are several online services that let you control a large
telescope (eg, lightbuckets.com and slooh.com), even some that are
free (eg, telescope.org).
Unfortunately, the pay services are ...
8
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1answer
291 views
Why is the Ritchey–Chrétien telescope preferred in professional astronomy?
Hubble, as well as numerous other professional telescopes, use the Ritchey–Chrétien design. What optical and instrumental advantages does this kind of telescope have for professional astronomy?
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2answers
104 views
How do air Cherenkov telescopes work?
The very highest energy photons, gamma-rays, are too energetic to be detected by standard optical methods. In fact they rarely actually make it to the surface of the Earth at all but interact with ...
10
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2answers
396 views
Observing Jupiter's non-Galilean moons
What strength of telescope is required to observe some of the non-Galilean moons of Jupiter?
My current telescope at 50 magnification resolves the Galilean moons well, but I'm guessing it's far ...
6
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2answers
178 views
What makes a good set of binoculars? [closed]
After trying a bunch of binoculars at Star Parties and the like, I have a pretty good feel for about what aperture and magnification I'd like in a new set binoculars. I'm an eyeglass wearer so a long ...
7
votes
1answer
30 views
What size aperature would I need to find and see the supernova in M51?
On June 2, 2011, a new supernova was identified by an amateur French astronomer in M51.
What size telescope aperture would one need to have any chance of seeing this? Given the right sized scope, ...
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6answers
443 views
Can any telescope be used for solar observing?
Can any telescope, such as a 8" reflector, that is normally used at night to look at planets be used or adapted for solar observing?
What kind of adapters or filters are required or is it better to ...
20
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4answers
287 views
How to determine what size telescope to buy
A couple of years ago my son showed an interest in astronomy and we bought a 6" reflector telescope. We use it pretty regularly and have enjoyed it immensely. Lately we've both been wishing we had ...
5
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2answers
389 views
Optimal Angular Field of View (AFOV)
Given the rather huge price differences between eye pieces at the same focal length. How exactly does the AFOV affect the view seen through the eyepiece?
Are higher / lower AFOV better for certain ...
26
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4answers
217 views
Telescopes to avoid as a beginner? [closed]
I've heard people talk about "department store scopes" or "trash scopes". How do I know what to avoid in a beginner scope? How can I know that I'm not getting something we will be more frustrated with ...
4
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1answer
286 views
What are the pros and cons of a german equatorial mount vs. a fork mount?
Not much more to add. Why pick one over another?
8
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2answers
182 views
What is exactly a Dobsonian, and what are the differences when compared with Schmidt-Cassegrain or Newtonian?
What is exactly a Dobsonian telescope, and what are the differences between this technical choice over a Schmidt-Cassegrain or a Newtonian configurations?
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6answers
853 views
Lenses (refractor) or mirrors (reflector) telescope?
What differentiates, in terms of practical quality, not technical implementation, a refractor from a reflector telescope?
Why would one prefer a refractor over a reflector, when reflectors come with ...
10
votes
4answers
1k views
What does f/4.6 mean in a telescope and how important is this value? [closed]
In some specifications for telescopes, I saw a value marked as f/4.6. What does it mean exactly, and how important is when it comes to choosing a telescope?
