• Equatorial mount
• Red Dot Starpointer Finderscope
• Adjustable Aluminum tripod

Product Description
Put on your pressure suit and commence docking procedures, because we have a Spacestation powerful enough to take you to the moon and way, way beyond. Se the star like you've never seen before with a view from an all-new Tasco Spacestation telescope featuring a cosmically inspired new design. Its variable LED electronic REd Dot Finderscope takes you to to visit your favorite constellation in a flash by quickly finding any object in the sky. Think of it as a compact version of the 114EQ, the Tasco Spacestation 76EQ still has plenty of power but in a smaller, more beginner-friendly package. Accessories include,Tasco SkyWatch CD-Rom, 3x Barlow lens, Moon Map, Moon Filter.... More >>

Tasco Spacestation 76mm Reflector EQ w/Variable Led Red Dot Finderscope Telescope

Tasco Spacestation 76mm Reflector EQ w/Variable Led Red Dot Finderscope Telescope is a post from: telescopes

• Solid equatorial mount and aluminum tripod
• Planetarium software included
• Dimensions: 35" long x 36" wide x 55" high

Amazon.com Review
The Sky-Watcher GreatStart 130N-EQ2 is a Newtonian reflector telescope packaged with a sturdy equatorial mount, two plossl eyepieces, a 2X barlow lens, and planetarium software for your PC. Invented by Sir Isaac Newton, reflector telescopes provide more light gathering power per dollar than any other telescope design. With 130mm (5.1 inches) of aperture, the Sky-Watcher 130N produces images that are twice as bright as 90mm telescopes and more than four times brighter than 60mm beginner scopes. The Sky-Watcher GreatStart 130N-EQ2, with its plossl eyepieces and barlow lens serves up bright, clear images of the Moon, the planets, and even deep space objects like star clusters and galaxies. The 25mm Super Plossl eyepiece magnifies the image by 36 times; when I look at the Pleiades or Seven Sisters cluster at 36X the Sky-Watcher 130N shows me a bright open cluster with dozens of point-like stars filling the field of view. When I use the 12mm Plossl eyepiece (75X... More >>

Sky-Watcher GreatStart 130N-EQ2 Newtonian Reflector Telescope

Sky-Watcher GreatStart 130N-EQ2 Newtonian Reflector Telescope is a post from: telescopes

• Optical Design: Maksutov-Cassegrain
• Aperture: 90 mm (3.54")
• Focal Length: 1250 mm (49.21")
• Focal Ratio: 13.89
• Eyepiece 1: 25 mm (0.98")

Product Description
If you're a beginning or amateur astronomer looking for an affordable computerized telescope, the Celestron NexStar SLT Series Computerized Telescope is a great choice. Observe the moon's surface, Saturn's rings and more with its star locating telescope reflector; it's easy to find what you're looking for with the StarPointer Finderscope. Simply align the red dot with the object in the sky to point your telescope in just the right direction. Keep the hand control mounted to the sturdy, steel tripod or remove it for remote operation – use it to select the catalog, change slew speed, view information about an object or check to see if a star or planet is visible in the sky. To locate something specific, simply aim the scope towards three bright points and let the SkyAlign technology do the rest. Database can download new information from a PC, and there's an additional port for electronic accessories. Package includes NSOL software so you can control your ... More >>

Celestron NexStar SLT Reflector Telescope - 90mm Aperture

Celestron NexStar SLT Reflector Telescope – 90mm Aperture is a post from: telescopes

• Talking Headset, monthly sky tours
• Red dot LED finderscope, easy pre-assembled construction
• Kinematic mount, Sturdy adjustble aluminum tripod
• Precision rack and pinion focusing mechanism
• Large 1.25" eyepieces

Product Description
A telescope worthy of its name. It's called the Discoverer and for good reason. With a smaller, more focused library programmed in and ready to go, not even the sky is the limit when your peer into this newest addition to the Bushnell family. Real Voice Output uses an actual human voice to take you on a personal tour of our galaxy's greatest treasures. Innovative new features like the rotating eyepiec let you share a look without changing the position or focus of the telescope. Pinpoint accuracy and fine adjustment capabilites fourn out this complete star-finding package. A perfect telescope for serious beginners and beyond, the Discoverer is truly out of this world.... More >>

Bushnell Discoverer Starfinder 76mm x 500mm Reflector Telescope

Bushnell Discoverer Starfinder 76mm x 500mm Reflector Telescope is a post from: telescopes

• Single Fork Arm Altazimuth Mount
• Red Dot Starpointer Finderscope
• Adjustable Aluminum tripod

Product Description
Put on your pressure suit and commence docking procedures, because we have a Spacestation powerful enough to take you to the moon and way, way beyond. Se the star like you've never seen before with a view from an all-new Tasco Spacestation telescope featuring a cosmically inspired new design. Its variable LED electronic REd Dot Finderscope takes you to to visit your favorite constellation in a flash by quickly finding any object in the sky. with an LED electonic red dot finerscope, 500mm focal length and 114mm objective mirror, the Spacestation 114ST is ideal for any astronomer. Accessories include,Tasco SkyWatch CD-Rom, 3x Barlow lens, Moon Map, Moon Filter.... More >>

Tasco Spacestation 114mm Reflector ST w/Variable Led Red Dot Finderscope Telescope

Tasco Spacestation 114mm Reflector ST w/Variable Led Red Dot Finderscope Telescope is a post from: telescopes

• 1,100mm focal length
• 135mm primary mirror
• Heavy duty 2-inch helical R&P focuser
• Fully pre-assembled tripod
• Fast-setup super-glide mount with adjusting counter weights; slow motion controls in altitude and azimuth

Product Description
The Galileo FS-135DX is the ultimate telescope in this category. It's size is only outshined by its ability to perform. The 1100mm focal length and 135mm diameter mirror delivers the performance that will keep you enthralled for a lifetime. The massive 135mm primary mirror collects 69% more light than the FS-85MOHDX model telescope, ensuring that rays of light that have traveled millions of years through the universe are soaked up by your Galileo telescope. Plus, the Galileo FS-135DX is outfitted with a huge 2" heavy duty metal focuser featuring helical rack and pinion focusing enabling the use of 2" eyepieces for enhanced light transmission, ease of viewing, and wider fields of view. If an object can be seen, the Galileo FS-135DX will show it to you! The sturdy metal tripod is pre-assembled and is equipped with metal accessory tray, and retractable rubber feet. The Galileo FS-135DX, like all Galileo telescopes is built with "The Galileo Difference... More >>

Galileo FS-135DX 1100 x 135mm Reflector Telescope

Galileo FS-135DX 1100 x 135mm Reflector Telescope is a post from: telescopes

• Great for all-around astronomical observing, this is a great beginner's telescope at a great price!
• 76mm aperture and 700mm focal length for wonderful views of the moon, planets, and even some nebulas
• Includes sturdy tripod and equatorial mount for hands-free celestial tracking
• Includes two eyepieces, finder scope, focuser, collimation cap, and FREE astronomy software
• One-year limited warranty

Product Description
Buying a first telescope used to be risky business, with more cheap models on the market than affordable quality ones. Our SpaceProbe 3 changes all that. It's not only affordable, but its optical quality will make the night sky's treasures accessible right from your backyard. The 3"-diameter primary mirror gathers enough light to reveal the faint glows of many star clusters and nebulas, as well as Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, and the stark, cratered terrain of the Moon. The aluminum Newtonian optical tube features a 1.25" rack-and-pinion focuser and two Explorer II eyepieces - a 25mm (28x) and a 10mm (70x). The included EZ Finder II finder scope helps you locate objects with ease. The SpaceProbe 3 EQ's equatorial mount allows easy manual "tracking" of objects with the turn of a knob (or optional electronic drive for hands-free tracking). Includes aluminum tripod with accessory tray. One-year limited warranty.Amazon.com Review
Orion's surpris... More >>

Orion SpaceProbe 3 EQ Reflector Telescope

Orion SpaceProbe 3 EQ Reflector Telescope is a post from: telescopes

• An affordable but very capable telescope
• 130mm aperture and 900mm focal length for great all-around viewing performance
• Includes sturdy tripod and equatorial mount for hands-free celestial tracking
• Includes two eyepieces, finder scope, focuser, collimation cap, and FREE Starry Night astronomy soft
• One-year limited warranty

Product Description
Without doubt, the SpaceProbe 130 Newtonian strikes a classy pose, from its glossy black aluminum tube right down to its 6x30 finder scope. It's a telescope that's sure to attract serious beginners. But a great telescope is more than how it looks - it's how it looks at the stars, and here the SpaceProbe 130 provides great all-around viewing performance. This scope's 130mm (5.1") primary mirror gathers enough light for deep-sky observing while its 900mm focal length (f/6.9) provides the resolving power need to reveal subtle planetary features. With the two fully coated Explorer II eyepieces provided (25mm and 10mm) you can cruise the Orion Nebula or zoom in on the rings of Saturn. The mount is our sturdy EQ-2 equatorial model, with aluminum tripod and accessory tray. Slow-motion controls allow fine manual pointing of the telescope. Addition of an optional EQ-2M or AstroTrack electronic drive enables the telescope to track objects automatically. One-year lim... More >>

Orion SpaceProbe 130 EQ Reflector Telescope

Orion SpaceProbe 130 EQ Reflector Telescope is a post from: telescopes

• Quick and easy no-tool setup
• Permanently mounted StarPointer
• Erect image optics , Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
• Quick release dovetail attachment, no tool setup
• Pan handle Alt-Az control with clutch, for smooth and accurate pointing (21061, 21063 & 31043)

Product Description
If you're looking for a dual-purpose telescope appropriate for both terrestrial and celestial viewing, then the AstroMaster Series is for you. Each AstroMaster model is capable of giving correct views of land and sky. The AstroMaster Series produce bright, clear images of the Moon and planets. It is easy to see the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn with every one of these fine instruments. For views of the brighter deep space objects like galaxies and nebulae, we recommend the larger aperture and light gathering ability of the Newtonian reflectors.Amazon.com Review
B000MLL6R8 Celestron’s AstroMaster 114 EQ reflector telescope offers more than three times the light gathering power of 60mm beginner scopes in a system that is compact yet powerful. The package includes a new version of Celestron’s CG-2 equatorial mount with a rugged steel tripod. Two eyepieces are included, the 20mm eyepiece is an erect-image design with 50x magnif... More >>

Celestron 31042 AstroMaster 114 EQ Reflector Telescope

Celestron 31042 AstroMaster 114 EQ Reflector Telescope is a post from: telescopes

• Quick and easy no-tool setup
• Permanently mounted StarPointer
• Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
• Quick release dovetail attachment - no tool setup
• German Equatorial mount with Setting circles - to accurately locate and track sky objects

Product Description
If you're looking for a dual-purpose telescope appropriate for both terrestrial and celestial viewing, then the AstroMaster Series is for you. Each AstroMaster model is capable of giving correct views of land and sky. The AstroMaster Series produce bright, clear images of the Moon and planets. It is easy to see the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn with every one of these fine instruments. For views of the brighter deep space objects like galaxies and nebulae, we recommend the larger aperture and light gathering ability of the Newtonian reflectors.... More >>

Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130 EQ Reflector Telescope

Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130 EQ Reflector Telescope is a post from: telescopes

• Yoke Mounted 800mm x 80mm Reflector Telescope w/ Altitude Slow Motion Control Rod
• Pre-assembled metal tripod with accessory tray and retractable rubber feet.
• Unique Features: 1.25" Format
• Included Accessories: Mars-Eye Finder, 2 1.25" Eyepieces(6mm & 20mm)
• Galileo trilogy software set - Planetarium progam, instructional telescope videos, Britannica educational program and 1 Year Warranty

Product Description
The Galileo FS-80 reflector telescope is a great beginner's reflecting telescope. The large 80mm primary mirror cell collects 33% more light than a 60mm refracting telescope. 1.25 focus housing permits the use of larger higher quality 1.25 eyepieces. Yoke mount makes the telescope easy to manage through altitude / azimuth (Up & Down, Left & Right) movement, and altitude slow motion control rod for precision adjustments. Galileo Trilogy software includes instructional videos and Planetarium program to help you pinpoint any star or planet at any given time. All of these features, along with all of the included accessories, ensure that you will have all you will ever need to observer the world around you just as Galileo did with your Galileo FS-80 refLEctor telescope.... More >>

Galileo FS-80/K-800 800 x 80mm Yoke Mount Reflector Telescope

Galileo FS-80/K-800 800 x 80mm Yoke Mount Reflector Telescope is a post from: telescopes

Such a parabolic mirror focuses each ray of light it receives from the original parallel beam at one single point. Because of this nature of the mirror, a reflector type telescope is far more advantageous in comparison to a refractor. A singularly important point to be noted is that reflectors do not suffer from chromatic aberrations which are a common problem for refractors. This is because, unlike refraction which alters the way in which different wavelengths are refracted, mirrors do not affect the wavelengths at all.

A second advantage is that they are relatively less expensive for the same quality of magnification. Furthermore, since light is reflected, only the reflecting surface needs a perfect finish. In the case of refractors, light has to pass form one side of the lens to the other, as a result of which both refracting surfaces need to be perfectly polished.

Astronomers generally prefer reflecting telescopes; however, even these have some disadvantages. The most glaring of these is the difficulty faced in correct alignment of the mirrors. Reflectors are equipped with an open tube, thus the inner optical elements require regular maintenance and cleaning. Without this care, images produced by the telescope end up blurred and indistinct. There are also instances of requiring secondary mirrors to correctly focus light at particular spots. These secondary mirrors can also adversely affect the image quality.

The major disadvantage faced with both refractors and reflectors is that the final image is an inverted image. An easy solution for this fault is the placement of a relay or prism in the passage of light, so that an already inverted image reaches the eyepiece, which again inverts it to produce an erect image. This is because the relay or the prism as the case may be, acts as a light ray inverter resulting in a final upright image.

The above paragraphs mention the use of secondary mirrors in reflectors to change the spot of light focus. These secondary mirrors are smaller than the primary mirror. According to historical accounts, Sir Isaac Newton used a mirror that was flat and inclined at 45 degrees as a secondary mirror. The purpose of this mirror was to shift the reflected light to an eyepiece at the side of the upper portion of the tube. This arrangement is now known as the Newtonian design and still finds takers.

There is another special design used in reflector type telescopes known as the Cassegrain design. This gives the light from the subject a specific path to reflect it better on the primary mirror. With this design it is possible to position the eyepiece at one’s own convenience. Even modern telescopes like the great Hubble Space Telescope make use of this design, and for the advantages discussed above, astronomers lean towards the reflector, and not the refractor.

How to Use a Telescope – Reflector Telescopes an Introduction is a post from: telescopes

A Quick look at scopes for beginners

Before I get into the specific performance and prices of telescopes I want to give you a quick rule of thumb about three different types. If you are very much a beginner and are just looking for a telescope to get started with you probably should consider getting a refractor in the 60mm to 70 mm range. This is the perfect entry-level scope. If you are pretty sure you are going to spend a fair amount of time with telescopes and you want to get an entry level priced one that has superior performance you should consider getting a dobsonian in the eight to ten inch range. If you know a bit about astronomy, or already have a scope, and are pretty sure it will be a life-long pursuit I recommend you consider getting a Schmidt-Cassegrain scope which is a high quality compound style instrument (It is a compound of both reflector and refractor).

Style of Astronomy you want to pursue

Reflectors and refractors have very different performance under the night sky and this performance could be a factor in what type of instrument you buy. Generally, if you are going to do observing of the moon and the planets and you want the absolute best performance you should consider getting a refractor. This type of scope has the absolute best performance in this area. If you want to do a lot of deep space exploration by finding and viewing galaxies, nebulae, and other deep space objects you should go with a reflector telescope. This is because the most important thing about deep space objects is light gathering ability, and on a dollar per dollar basis a reflector gives you a substantial advantage over the refractor. You can get an eight-inch reflector for a few hundred dollars but an eight-inch refractor would cost you several thousand dollars.

Lifestyle and ease of Use

There are some other considerations that should go into your choice of scope. Are you a backpacker or camper? Do you travel a lot? If this is the case then the weight, portability, and ease of use are important considerations. Two good fits for this lifestyle would be an inexpensive four-inch reflector telescope or if you are able to spend more a Schmidt-Cassegrain in the six to eight-inch range. Both types of scopes are very portable (suitcase sized) and well suited for travel.

Should you buy a used telescope?

This is more a matter of personal preference and I can’t tell you whether a new one or a used one is right for you. But I can say that for the most part, if a scope is well cared-for it can remain practically perfect for decades. I can recommend that you don’t buy a used one if you can’t get a good hands-on look at it first. If you don’t know much about scopes you should try to find someone that does who can go with you to assess the condition and value of the one you are considering. If you are a savvy shopper, as is with most anything, you can find a fantastic value and get an instrument for less than half its retail value.

The Telescope Buyers Dilemma

One question that gets asked a lot is “What if I get a low end scope now and find out I love the hobby?” Then I have to go out and spend more on a bigger and better instrument. The money on the first telescope is pretty much wasted right? There is a small amount of truth to this but you have to consider that with your first telescope you are going to be getting a small one and just be dabbling into the hobby. If at some point in the future you spend more money and get a larger telescope you will find that your first telescope is very useful. Some nights you won’t be dragging a hundred pounds of telescope out the door and spending a half-hour to set it up. You will just want to do some light observing and the first scope will be perfect. That first, and smaller instrument, will also be a perfect gift for a child or younger sibling. I pretty handily solved this dilemma when I mounted my first refractor right onto the tube of my second, much larger, reflector telescope. It served well as a spotter scope. As a bare minimum, if you take care of your first scope you will be able to re-sell it and recoup some of your costs. But because the different sizes and types of scopes all have benefits they always useful and people who are bitten by the bug of astronomy rarely sell their telescopes. They are usually sold by people who have lost interest in the hobby.

The hobby of amateur astronomy is a wonderful hobby that can give you a lifetime of rewarding observation and photo taking. And finding the right instrument can be a bit of a challenge but with a little thought to price, lifestyle and future observing aspirations you can find one that is perfect for you.

Should you Buy a Reflector or a Refractor Telescope? – Guidelines and Advice is a post from: telescopes

Credit for the first reflector goes to an Italian professor named Niccolo Zucchi. He made his first scope in 1616 but the design of his scopes was not very practical. James Gregory was a Scottish Mathematician and Astronomer of the 17th Century and he is credited with having designed the first practical reflector telescope. In 1663 he published this design in his book titled Optica Promota. But he didn’t build the first working model until ten years later with the help of scientist Robert Hooke. It was in this ten year period that Sir Isaac Newton built his famous Newtonian telescope (1670). So the Gregorian telescope predates the Newtonian in design but Newton’s was the first to be built.

How the Gregorian Telescope works

To understand how the Gregorian reflector works we will first take a look at the Newtonian telescope. In the Newtonian a parabolic mirror placed at the bottom of a tube and it focuses light back up the tube to a flat mirror that directs it out the side of the tube to an eyepiece.  The eyepiece is on the side of the tube. In a Gregorian design the parabolic mirror is at the bottom of the tube and it focuses light back up the tube but the second mirror is an ellipsoid and it redirects the light back down the tube to the eyepiece through a hole in the center of the large primary mirror. This type of telescope has the eyepiece at the bottom.

The benefits and shortcomings

Newton’s telescope has one parabolic mirror and one flat mirror while Gregory’s has a parabolic as its primary mirror and an ellipsoid as its secondary. Additionally, Gregory’s primary mirror needed a hole cut in the center of it. These things mean it is a much more optically complex instrument and much more difficult to make. Newton’s design is much easier to make.  This is probably why it took Gregory ten years to make his first working model.

The Gregorian does have some benefits over the Newtonian style scope. The ellipsoid secondary mirror is placed at a point after the focus of the light. This configuration, in conjunction with an eyepiece, provides an erect or right side up image while the Newtonian telescope gives an upside down image. This is a big benefit if you are using the telescope for terrestrial viewing.  And because of this inversion of image after the secondary mirror it allows a baffle to be placed inside the tube. This baffle prevents unwanted light and heat from reaching the primary mirror. This is a very useful tool when a telescope is meant to be used for solar observations where heat is a big concern. For this reason the Gregorian design is sometimes still used for telescopes that will be used for solar observations.

The Gregorian design for a telescope is not used very often in modern times. It has been changed and much improved by the Cassegrain telescope. But the Gregorian does find limited use occasionally as a finder scope that accompanies a larger scope. This is because of the nature of it displaying properly oriented erect images.  And because of its ability to have a baffle inside it is also sometimes used for telescopes built for solar observations.

Gregory’s telescope design is not much used in modern times but it was the forerunner and inspiration for many of today’s telescope designs.

 

The Gregorian Telescope – the First Practical Reflector is a post from: telescopes