Before talking about what can be seen through the telescope, let us dwell on the basic information about these devices, as well as their varieties.
In order for the picture of the starry sky to become available even at home, it is necessary to choose the right optical device. Depending on the quality of the eyepiece, the cost of a home telescope can range from 12,000 to 50,000 rubles.
Diaphragm
This element is the most important characteristic of a home telescope. It is on the diameter of the lens that directly depends on what can be seen in the home telescope. Before buying, it is important to pay attention to the specifications of the telescope near its focusing unit, on the box or in front of the tube. It is desirable that the diaphragm was from 2.8 inches. In this case, it will be possible to consider not only poorly distinguishable celestial objects, but also small details.
What can be seen with a 70 mm telescope? For example, an observer will see a picture with dozens of galaxies located outside the Milky Way. But in order to obtain the desired result, it is important to conduct observations in the dark, avoiding the presence of electric lighting.
Types of Telescopes
Choosing such a device is a difficult task. For home use, for example, sky lovers often purchase a 30x telescope. What can be seen in a similar device? First, let us single out the main types of telescopes available to astronomy fans.
Lens (refractory) devices have a lens located in front of the tube. They are considered the most common types of optical devices. Despite the negligible operating costs, their price is quite high, it depends on the maximum aperture value. What can be seen in an amateur telescope? Photos taken with these devices are fascinating.
Refractors that collect light from the back of the main pipe with a mirror have a lower cost. Among their shortcomings, we note the need for periodic correction - performing optical rectification.
Mirror-lens models that combine two technologies at once are much more compact, lighter in weight. But these telescopes are the most expensive in cost. The most popular designs of the main telescopes are:
- Maksutov-Cassegrain;
- Schmidt-Cassegrain.
Focusing
What can be seen through a telescope? It depends on its “power”. For example, if the device has a focal length of 500 mm and a 25-mm eyepiece, then the increase in the device will be 20 times. Modern manufacturers offer telescopes with one or two eyepieces, so you can adjust the magnification by changing them.
Mount
It is also important to think over this moment before purchasing a home telescope in order to fully enjoy the beauty of the starry sky.
Mostly telescopes are offered complete with tripods and special mounts. But for devices that are small in size, only a mounting block is often allowed, allowing the telescope to be fixed with one screw to a standard tripod.
Using standard mounts makes it possible to conduct spherical rotation of the telescope.
What can be seen through a telescope having such a mount? For example, get the opportunity to admire the stars of our Galaxy.
Using more complex mechanisms, you can track the movement of stars that rotate along the same axis. Such mounts are more weight, suitable for professionals. Before using the telescope, you will have to calibrate the device to the North Star.
In today's expensive mounts there are small engines that allow you to track the sky, armed with a remote control.
What can be seen with this kind of telescope? Observations turn into an informative tour with an overview of the most attractive celestial exhibits.
The most advanced models of this type, called Go To, have a small computer that allows you to manipulate the telescope. By entering the current date, time, location, you can not only identify the celestial objects themselves, but also describe everything that can be seen through a telescope. In this case, the study of the starry sky will be a fascinating event for fans of astronomy. Among the shortcomings of such devices, professionals highlight the difficulty of the calibration process, as well as the high cost of the device.
Useful Tips
A telescope is an optical instrument that is designed to observe celestial objects. Since quality directly depends on the diameter of the lens, we note that you can see high-quality photos in the telescope only with optics from 70 mm or more.
It is this indicator that has a direct effect on the brightness of the image, an option for increasing celestial bodies in observations.
What can be seen in an amateur telescope with high resolution? For example, binary stars, planets, it is quite possible to see in this optical device. But of interest are not only the stars themselves, but also clusters, galaxies, nebulae, as well as unusual groups of stars, planets, comets, the Sun, the Moon. All this is quite accessible for viewing with a home telescope.
And yet: what planets can be seen through a telescope? Even with a rather modest instrument, it is quite possible to consider the surface of the moon. Let us dwell in more detail on those celestial objects that non-professional astronomers can enjoy.
Moon
So what can be seen in a home telescope? The photo below is a confirmation that the natural satellite of the Earth is quite accessible for observation.
Astronomers are convinced that there is no spectacle more exciting and attractive than the views of the lunar surface viewed through a telescope. No need to rush, it is important to wait for the moon to appear in the sky, and only after that proceed to astronomical observations.
What exactly can be seen on a terrestrial satellite through a telescope? The photos presented below testify that the furrows and crevices, circuses, mountains, craters, all this is available as part of a visual walk on the moon, possible when the handle of the telescope moves.
The best time for observing the lunar surface with a telescope, astronomers consider its partial phases, when it appears before us in the form of an incomplete disk or a month.
It is during this period that you can see shadows on the surface of the moon, allowing you to see much more small details, for example, on the border of the dark and light areas, called the terminator. Is it possible to see the full moon period through a telescope? Of course, and even study the light ray structures that diverge from part of the craters.
The sun
What is important to know in order to observe the sun? Experts warn about the use of goggles during such observations. Astronomers warn fans of the Sun that without solar filters through a telescope it is impossible to make observations, since the sun blinds your eyes.
What can be seen through a telescope? Photos taken by amateurs indicate that the main source of observations on his disk are sunspots. They are constantly changing shape. Therefore, looking at one and the same spot at different times, one can observe its change. In each group, two large spots can be distinguished: “mother” and “father”, and their “children” are located around them. Since the Sun is the only object that can be observed during the day, lovers are happy to study it using their home telescopes.
Planets
Can Saturn be seen through a telescope? Let's try to answer this question. Fortunately, the rings of this planet can be seen in any telescope if Saturn turns in an edge during observation. In the presence of a telescope with a diameter of more than 10 centimeters, you can observe the gap of Cassia. You can also see the division into internal and external zones in the rings.
The biggest disappointment for lovers of the starry sky are observations through the telescope of the planets. Many of them appear in the form of small "peas" in which it is difficult to consider the details.
Jupiter
This planet in the telescope appears in a flattened form. This planet has acquired a similar shape due to its rapid rotation around its axis. In addition, you can see the retinue of the planets, which are the moons of Jupiter. They are called Galilean because they were first discovered by Galileo Galilei.
If you look closely, some stripes are visible on the disk of this planet. In a small telescope, only two are visible, and in a good eyepiece, an astronomer can see more than six bands. In addition, on the planet’s disk through a telescope, the lens diameter of which exceeds 10 cm, the Big Red Spot is discovered, which is considered a giant famous vortex in the atmosphere of this giant.
Of interest are observations of various phenomena occurring in the system of Galilean satellites: when passing through the planet’s disk, falling into shadow, leaving it.
Mars
Through a telescope, it appears as a small reddish pea with a polar white cap. When observing the "red planet" during the confrontation, when the distance between the Earth and Mars is minimal, on its surface you can see various dark spots called astronomers of the sea. Some of these spots are slightly visible, and some can be observed clearly. In large telescopes on Mars, even dust storms are visible. The outlines of the seas in such situations disappear from the planet’s disk, as if they were erased by an ordinary eraser.
On Venus and Mercury it will be difficult to detect such details, but it is on these planets that you can observe phases in a home microscope. If desired, you can see Uranus in a microscope, which has the shape of an asterisk with a slight disc of a weak bluish-green color. Fans can also enjoy Neptune, visible as a regular star.
Multiple (Double) Stars
Around the stars can rotate not only those planets that are located in our solar system, but also other stars. Their groups or pairs are called astronomers multiple or double stars. Sometimes they present a unique spectacle with a telescope. For example, with the close proximity of two stars of different brightness, different colors, you can get an amazing result. Such stars are available for observation in both large and small home telescopes.
Star clusters
Under them, it is customary to call groups of stars, sometimes large, and sometimes barely distinguishable. In astronomy, it is customary to divide them into two types. Some are open star clusters, have an indefinite shape, without a certain concentration towards the center. The second are stellar globular clusters - stellar dense "balls", which number millions of such bodies.
It is not necessary to purchase an expensive telescope in order to see a huge cluster of stars. Open clusters are quite visible as small round spots even in small telescopes. If the observer has a device with excellent optics, a sea of stars will open to his gaze, which in astronomy is called a star swarm.
Nebulae
They, like galaxies, are one of the most complex objects when observed through a telescope, since the presence of a dark sky is necessary. It is difficult to achieve the desired result in a city apartment. If in color pictures in magazines they appear to be beautiful and bright objects, then in the home telescope the nebulae will look like gray spots that do not have small details. Only when using a lens of 200 mm or more can one count on a detailed study of all the individual elements of these celestial bodies. But you should not be upset with the owners of small telescopes. They have a chance to see: Dumbbell in Fox, Ring in Lyre, Orion Nebula.
Galaxies
They are gigantic distant "elements of the universe." Each "island" includes billions of stars. Galaxies are hard to observe with home telescopes. Despite the fact that a sufficient number of them are available for consideration, it will be possible to see only a lot of luminous white spots that differ in shape. Astronomers claim that even with a small telescope you can see the Andromeda Nebula, to distinguish between the M82 and M81 galaxies in Ursa Major.
Comets
These celestial bodies quite unexpectedly appear in our horizon. The “tailed wanderers” in the telescope are visible as misty spots with one, several bright tails that are directed from the Sun. Small comets periodically appear in the sky, but bright objects are a rather rare phenomenon. Such unexpected guests are awarded a detailed study by astronomers, so fans will surely learn about the upcoming event, and will be able to see the “tailed wanderer” in their home eyepieces.
Ground objects
Any telescope can be represented as a large telescope. In addition to its purpose - the study of celestial bodies in the starry sky, you can use such devices to study ground objects. Telescopic devices, for the most part, are supposed to create a mirror or inverted image, so when conducting ground research, you need to use special wrapping prisms. They help eliminate image defects, turn it from a mirror into a direct picture.
Conclusion
Astronomy is a fascinating science, which has more and more fans every year. In order to enjoy unique views of the starry sky at home, you must be responsible for the selection of the telescope. But the correct purchase of this device is only half the success. In addition to high-quality optics for visual observation for a cluster of stars, planets of the solar system, comets, experience and the ability to analyze what is seen will be required.
An experienced astronomy fan, even with a small telescope, is able to see a much larger number of different celestial objects than a beginner who, armed with an expensive device, looks into the sky from the balcony of his city apartment.
Professionals advise not to be upset for those who have just begun to comprehend the basics of studying the picture of the starry sky.
So, what celestial objects are available for study through a telescope? Even with minor optics, you can enjoy amazing views of the moon. Armed with a 200 mm telescope, astronomers in detail examine craters, the size of which is about two kilometers.
If the plans include the study of planets, it is advisable to purchase telescopes with a lens diameter of 150 mm or more. The phases of Venus and Mercury, the polar cap of the "red planet" during the Great Confrontation, as well as the ring of Saturn are quite accessible for studying. Having studied the location of celestial bodies in the starry sky, lovers will easily find star clusters.