Magnification describes the factor in which an image is magnified. As magnification increases, images will appear larger. As magnification decreases, the field of view will broaden and the image will become clearer. How to Calculate Magnification in Telescopes? The magnification of your telescope is determined by the focal and eyepiece lengths. To calculate this, divide […]
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Collimation is the process of aligning all components in a telescope to bring light to its best focus. Most manufacturers collimate telescopes before shipping, but they often require recollimation to achieve the best image. When a telescope is out of collimation, celestial objects may appear blurry. What Are the Types of Collimation in Telescopes? There […]
With a telescope you can see planets, stars, galaxies, constellations, meteors and much more. This article is a guide for astronomers and astrophotographers who are enthralled by the limitless space filled with countless stars. It doesn’t require specialized training or extensive sessions. Simply get a telescope with a suitable lens, or a camera, wait until […]
The focal ratio is a metric used to determine a telescope’s brightness, magnification and field of view. This number, often referred to as the ‘f-number’, describes the relationship between focal length and aperture size. How to Calculate Focal Ratios in Telescopes? The focal ratio can be found by dividing the focal length by the diameter […]
Focal length is the distance between the telescope’s primary lens or mirror and the point where the light rays come together in focus. This is typically expressed in millimeters and is used to calculate key metrics such as focal ratio. How does Focal Length in Telescopes Affect Astronomy? Focal lengths determine the magnification and field […]
Aberrations are defects in optical systems caused by the deviation of light. This can be a result of either a limitation in your design or a defect in your optics. Every telescope experiences some degree of aberrations, but by selecting the right telescope, you can reduce or eliminate specific aberrations. What Are the Types of […]
Distortion is an optical aberration, resulting in a difference in magnification across your field of view. This aberration does not affect optical focus but causes your image to appear curved. What Causes Distortion? Distortion is caused by light hitting curved lenses. Because the lens is curved, light travels a different distance from the edge to […]
Field curvature is an optical aberration caused by a difference of curvature in the focal planes. Because of this, the lens is unable to focus the edges and center of the field at the same time, resulting in a curved distortion. What Causes Field Curvature? Field curvature is caused by a difference in the lens […]
Astigmatism is an off-axis optical aberration caused by the obliquity of focal planes. This results in rays of light meeting at different focal points, distorting the image. What Causes Astigmatism? Astigmatisms are caused by optical defects or rays of light hitting the telescope obliquely. Telescopes have two perpendicular planes; the tangential and the sagittal. Astigmatism […]
Comatic Aberration, also called Coma, is an off-axis optical aberration, meaning it has a greater effect as it nears the edge of the field. This results in a blurred tail around the object you’re viewing. What Causes Comatic Aberration? Coma is caused by the deviation of light rays in lenses or mirrors. This causes rays […]