Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Astro Telescopes

There are mainly three types:

• Refractors : They use lenses. They are ideal for observing the Moon and planets.
• Reflectors : These use mirrors. They are great for deep-sky objects like nebulae and galaxies.
• Catadioptric (or mixed): These combine lenses and mirrors. They are versatile and portable.

There are mainly two types of mounts:

Altazimuth (AZ) Mount:

It moves up and down and left and right , just like a photography tripod. It's easy to use and perfect for beginners and terrestrial observers.

This type of mount includes Dobson type mounts.

Equatorial Mount (EQ):

It's tilted to Earth's position and allows you to track the motion of stars by rotating only one axis. It's ideal for more advanced astronomical observation and astrophotography.

There are also motorized and GoTo mounts, which allow you to automatically locate and track objects with the push of a button.

The aperture is the diameter of the primary lens or mirror. The larger it is, the more light the telescope collects, allowing you to see fainter objects with greater detail.

Focal length is the distance light travels through the telescope to form an image. It affects magnification and field of view:

• Long focal length = higher magnification, narrower field of view (great for planets).
• Short focal length = lower magnification, wider field (ideal for nebulae and galaxies).

The aperture is much more important. Magnification can be varied by changing eyepieces, but a larger aperture will allow you to see clearer and brighter images.

It is the relationship between focal length and aperture.

• Low focal ratio (f/5 or less) : Wide field, ideal for deep sky.
• High focal ratio (f/10 or more) : Best for planets and fine details.

For planets, a refractor telescope with at least a 70mm aperture or a 130mm reflector will work very well. A stable mount is recommended to track the movement of the sky.

A large-aperture reflector (150mm or larger) is ideal for deep-sky objects. In these cases, observing from dark locations away from light pollution is key.

It depends. For high-quality astrophotography (galaxies, nebulae), catadioptric or apochromatic refractor telescopes mounted on equatorial mounts with automatic tracking (GoTo) are recommended. However, for photographing the Moon or planets, you can start with simpler telescopes using smartphone adapters.

• Store it in a dry and clean place.
• Clean lenses or mirrors only when strictly necessary, using special techniques.
• Align (collimate) the mirrors of reflecting telescopes periodically for optimal performance.

Yes, but you need a special solar filter if you want to observe the Sun. Never look directly at the Sun without adequate protection! You can also use it to observe terrestrial landscapes.

• Additional eyepieces for different magnifications.
• Filters (lunar, solar, colored).
• A mount with Motorization or GoTo for automatic sky tracking.