Telescope Types For Beginners

When it comes to purchasing telescope a lot of questions cloud into the minds of beginners like type of telescope,features,price etc. If you want telescope for kids or for yourself then you’ll find optical telescope in the market which is sufficient for the needs of hobbyist or beginner in astronomy. Other than optical telescope there are many other type of telescope but they’ve specific purpose to serve. So let’s get to know other types of telescopes.

Telescope helps us to see the remote celestial objects and the collection of electromagnetic radiation. Telescope word comes from greek where “tele” means “remote” and “skopein” means to see. As you learn more about the world of astronomy you’ll come across other greek names for planets and stars. Telescopes have been around since 1600,when prince sessi invented optical telescope in 1611 and from there as time progresses came multiple types of telescope. During old time telescopes were used to be optical telescopes but now there are many other types of telescope as well. It’s hard to define telescope in one usage definition as it covers wide range of instruments.

Types of Telescopes

Optical Telescope

Optical telescope direct the light from the visible end of the electromagnetic radiation to a specific point. Optical telescope allows you to control the size and brightness of view that you get from the device. They accomplish this with the use of lenses and work quite similar to binoculars.

There are three types of optical telescopes:

1. Refractor telescope (refracting telescope)
Refracting telescopes are common telescopes and are cheaply available in comparison to other telescope types.This telescope make use of lens as it’s objective to form an image. Keplerian and Galilean telescope are two famous refractor telescopes.

2. Reflector telescope (reflecting telescope)
Reflector telescope offer bigger view for celestial objects. It uses combination of lenses to reflect light and to form an image. First reflecting telescope was developed by issac newton.

3. Catadioptric telescope
This telescope makes use of both reflection and refraction to form an image.

Radio Telescope

Radio telescopes are used for radio astronomy and are much powerful than optical lenses. Radio telescope has parabola shaped radio antennae that are used to collect microwave radiation. Projects like SETI and other extra terrestrial observation programs make use of these telescopes.

X-ray/Gamma Ray Telescope (Space Telescope)

X-ray and gamma ray telescopes are used by satellites which are orbiting earth or our solar system. X-ray telescope makes use of multiple glasses and metals to make observations. The mirrors used in x-ray/gamma ray telescope are parabolic in shape. Gamma rays don’t focus on objects instead they collect the shadows of observing objects or electromagnetic radiation. Because of their high performance and ability to give more data they’re preferred for orbiting satellites.

As you can guess radio telescope,x-ray/gamma ray telescope and solar telescopes are costly because of their huge size,features, lens. So for general public viewing purpose they’re not suitable in terms of cost. For beginners in astronomy optical telescope is the most affordable choice. Optical telescopes are the best way for amateur and kids to learn more about astronomy. I hope this hub clears your views regarding types of telescope and why you should prefer optical telescope if you're beginner.

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