Polar alignment means that you line up the telescope’s axis mount with the motion of the sky. This allows you to track the movement of objects in the night sky more accurately. This is done by aligning the mount with either the north or south celestial pole. You will need to learn to polar align your …
Keeping your telescope in good condition is essential for ensuring you get the best quality images of the night sky, and for prolonging the lifespan of your telescope. In particular, your telescope mirror will be exposed to dust particles, and these have silica in them that is very abrasive and can cause damage to your …
The magnification of a telescope is the ratio by which the telescope is used to enlarge the object you are looking at. Generally speaking, the maximum magnification a telescope is capable of is the aperture in inches multiplied by 50 (or the aperture in millimeters multiplied by 2).This changes depending on what eyepiece is attached …
How far you can see through a telescope largely depends on the telescope’s specifications. For example, the model, lens, and quality of the telescope. Surprisingly, the naked eye can see the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.5 million light-years away. In reality, this Galaxy has a diameter of approximately 220,000 light-years (67 kpc), however, to the …
Have you ever wondered how far away the stars are? Or how constellations work? Have you ever looked up into the sky and wished you could see the moon and the stars up close for yourself? You can do all of this and more with a telescope! What is a telescope?A telescope is a means …
Stargazing is without a doubt one of the most relaxing hobbies you can have. There is something so relaxing about sitting there and looking at the universe that exists outside of the world that we live in. It is a great way to detach yourself from the stresses of everyday life and an excellent way …
The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest human-made object to fly in outer space and, at the right time, it can be seen from anywhere around the world. This massive space station hovers 250 miles above the surface of the earth, traveling at a speed of around 17,500 mph. It spans 357 feet in …
Proving the Cosmos Needn’t Cost the EarthWe know that it’s all very scientific, but the feeling you get seeing the granular detail of the moon’s imperfections, nebulae sprawling through the night like ink in water, comets, Jupiter’s cloud belts, Saturn’s rings…It’s nothing short of pure magic.Telescopes help us satisfy a prehistoric curiosity. A curiosity whose …
Deep space refers to the distant edges of outer space. NASA tends to set this at a distance of between 16,000 and 32,000 kilometers from Earth’s surface.The International Telecommunication Union states it starts at 2 million kilometers from the surface of the Earth. While there is disagreement about where deep space begins, what can be …
A solar eclipse occurs when a portion of the Earth is engulfed in a shadow cast by the Moon which fully or partially blocks sunlight. This occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned. It can be a phenomenal sight to witness if you’re lucky enough to get the chance.Looking directly at a solar …
