ActiveOutdoorsOutdoor TechWhich telescope is best for viewing galaxies?Seeing outside of the Milky Way requires a ‘fast’ telescope. Here’s what you need to know about which telescope is best for observing galaxiesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveOutdoorsOutdoor TechWhich telescope is best for viewing galaxies?Seeing outside of the Milky Way requires a ‘fast’ telescope. Here’s what you need to know about which telescope is best for observing galaxiesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Seeing outside of the Milky Way requires a ‘fast’ telescope. Here’s what you need to know about which telescope is best for observing galaxies
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Guillermo Ferla on Unsplash)
(Image credit: Guillermo Ferla on Unsplash)
Have you ever seen a distant galaxy with your own eyes? Beginners usually want to get the Andromeda galaxy ticked off the list as quickly as possible, but not all telescopes are ideal for going galaxy-hunting. For that, you’ll need a ‘fast’ telescope. Not sure what that means, or need some more information? Here’s everything you need to know about choosing thebest telescopefor viewing galaxies.
Galaxies and the deep sky vs solar system objects
Set up any smalltelescope for beginnersand you’ll be able to get some kind of view of a galaxy before then pointing it at planets or the Moon. However, targets in the deep sky and outside of our own galaxy are incredibly dim, whereas those within our own solar system are fantastically bright, relatively speaking. So it makes sense that the telescope you need to get the best views of either of those extremes will greatly differ. For viewing galaxies as clearly as possible you’ll want a ‘fast’ telescope.
Telescopes for galaxies: understanding aperture
A ‘fast’ telescope ideal for viewing galaxies is one with a large aperture that allows in as much light as possible (for planets a ‘slow’ telescope is fine). The aperture of a telescope is the size of the lens or mirror, usually expressed in millimetres and inches (the higher the numbers, the better).
Telescopes for galaxies: understanding focal lengths
The focal length of a telescope is the distance from the objective lens to the focal point; short focal lengths are the best for galaxies and the deep sky because they allow the most light in and have a larger field of view. Telescopes that tend to offer the shortest focal ratios includerefractors, Newtonians and Dobsonians.
Telescopes for galaxies: understanding focal ratio
Telescopes for galaxies: understanding magnification
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