Can You Use A Telescope During The Day? [You’ll Be Surprised]

Astronomy has always fascinated me. I love looking at the stars and planets in the sky.

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to see them from my house because of the light pollution.

Astronomers estimate that there are over 400 billion galaxies in our universe. The Milky Way alone contains 100 billion stars.

And each star has its own solar system. Yet, only a tiny fraction of these stars have been discovered.

With the invention of telescopes, astronomers have been able to discover new worlds and explore space further than ever before.

Telescopes also allow us to observe other celestial objects that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye.

Some people believe the best time to use a telescope is at night. This is because, during the day when you look up, you cannot see the stars.

But does this mean that you can’t use a telescope during the day? The answer is a lot more complicated than you might think.

Can You Use A Telescope During The Day?

Though people may believe you can’t use a telescope to see space during the day, that’s not entirely true.

It is true that we can’t see the stars during the day with our naked eye, but telescopes are impressively powerful.

Provided they’re in the right conditions, and you have the right kind of telescope, it’s possible to use them during the day. 

The first thing you need to know about using a telescope is that not all types of telescopes work under all conditions.

For example, most reflectors (one of the types of telescope used by amateur astronomers) do not work well with direct sunlight. 

Reflector telescopes are designed to collect as much light as possible, which is why they’re handy to use in areas with high levels of light pollution.

On the other hand, refractor telescopes don’t collect as much light, and so might be your best bet for day-viewing when there’s very little light pollution. 

However, the truth of the matter is that whether you’ve got a reflector or a refractor, as long as they’re good quality, and you know how to use them correctly, you’ll likely be able to use them in the daytime.

You might have noticed that I’m mentioning light pollution a lot, and that’s because it’s a serious concern.

If you live in an area where light pollution is common, you may not be able to view any astronomical object without special filters or equipment.

And yes, light pollution does exist in the daytime too!

If you want to use a telescope during the daytime, you should find out what kind of telescope works best for your situation.

There are two main types: refractors and reflectors.

Refractors

A refractor is a telescope design that uses lenses to gather light and project it through a tube onto the eyepiece.

These telescopes were invented in 1784 by Sir Isaac Newton. They are still widely used today.

Refractors are great for observing faint objects such as nebulae and galaxies. However, they don’t cope well with light pollution.

So if you plan on doing astronomy during the day, you will probably want to use a different telescope.

Reflectors

Unlike refractors, which use lenses to gather light, reflectors use mirrors instead. Mirrors are extremely efficient at gathering light.

That’s why they are often used in large observatories. 

Reflectors are also ideal for observing bright objects such as the moon, Jupiter, and Venus. They are less effective at capturing faint objects.

So if you plan to do astronomy during the day, a reflector telescope is likely the right choice for you.

What Telescope Works Best During The Day?

The kind of telescope that works best during the day is dependent on your location. In areas with low levels of light pollution, you could use a small refractor.

It would allow you to observe the sky while avoiding the glare of city lights.

In areas where there is significant light pollution, however, you will need a larger telescope. A 6-inch Dobsonian reflector is a good option.

It has a wide field of view and is easy to operate.

A Dobsonian reflector is ideal for observing the night sky because it doesn’t require tracking.

This means that you won’t have to constantly adjust its position. Instead, you just point it in the direction you want to look.

If you live in an urban environment, you may be limited to using a smaller telescope.

A 7-inch Dobsonian reflector is a good choice. It’s compact and lightweight, making it easy to transport.

What Celestial Objects Can You See In The Day?

Not only can you see into space with a telescope during the day, but sometimes there are some celestial objects that are best observed during the day. Here are some examples:

Venus – Venus appears brightest when it is high in the sky. Because it rises so early in the morning, it’s a popular target for stargazers.

Saturn – Saturn is one of the most beautiful planets in our solar system. Its rings are especially visible during the summer months.

Jupiter – Jupiter is easily seen during the winter months. It’s the largest planet and is always close to the horizon.

Mercury – Mercury is another planet that is easiest to spot during the winter months. Its orbit around the Sun takes about 88 days.

Mars – It’s very rare to peep Mars in the daytime, but as our closest planetary neighbor, it is possible. You just have to know when and where to look.

Moon – You can often see the moon in the bright blue sky with the naked eye, so throw a telescope into the mix and you’ll get some good visuals indeed!

Meteor Showers – Every month, meteor showers occur. When a comet passes near the sun, it sheds debris. As this material enters the atmosphere, it creates streaks of light.

These streaks move across the sky. These are visible during the day with a telescope. 

Meteorites – Meteors often leave behind fragments called meteorites.

These rocks are valuable scientific tools. They contain information about how the solar system formed.

Final Thoughts

It’s definitely possible to use a telescope during the day, and sometimes you can catch amazing things.

You would think that it’s a lot easier to see things during the night, and while that’s kind of true, with the problem of light pollution, more and more people are turning to daytime observations.

Light pollution is a growing problem. More than half of all Americans now live in cities where they can no longer see the stars.

So if you live in such an area, you might consider buying a telescope and taking advantage of the day.

Other ways to combat this, aside from buying a telescope, are to take advantage of light pollution laws.

Not many people know these exist, and fewer know how to use them.

But essentially you’re able to report any outdoor lighting fixtures that are partially or fully shielded. Excluding construction and airport lighting. 

So whether you want to take advantage of the daylight hours or not, you’ll have the time of your life observing the night sky.

And once you do, you’ll never forget your view of the universe.