What is Telescope: Definition and 514 Discussions

A telescope is an optical instrument using lenses, curved mirrors, or a combination of both to observe distant objects, or various devices used to observe distant objects by their emission, absorption, or reflection of electromagnetic radiation. The first known practical telescopes were refracting telescopes invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 17th century, by using glass lenses. They were used for both terrestrial applications and astronomy.
The reflecting telescope, which uses mirrors to collect and focus light, was invented within a few decades of the first refracting telescope. In the 20th century, many new types of telescopes were invented, including radio telescopes in the 1930s and infrared telescopes in the 1960s. The word telescope now refers to a wide range of instruments capable of detecting different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, and in some cases other types of detectors.

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  1. A

    Cleaning a Cloudy Patch Inside Orion 120mm Telescope Lens

    I own an Orion 120mm f\5 600mm telescope . I bought it last year from Orion . I recently noticed a cloudy patch about 2in. round on the inside of the scope on the lens , it looks like condensation to me . I've always been careful when i bring the scope in the house fron the nights cold air and...
  2. A

    Stargazing Fixing Vertical Flipping in Prismatic Telescopes: A Troubleshooting Guide

    I have successfully constructed a prismatic telescope with a fairly sharp, erect image. However, I was disappointed to discover that the image was vertically flipped! That is, in real life, there would be a car on the left and a man on the right. When looking through the telescope, the...
  3. G

    Stargazing Telescope Advice for Military Employee in Middle East - $1000 - $2000

    Hi - I hope I am posting in the right place, my apologies if not. I am looking for someone who can give me some advice on a telescope model. I am 30 years old, and have been comtemplating a telescope for quite some time, but first I familiarized myself with astronomy and the sky somewhat. I...
  4. K

    Calculating the Angular Resolution of the Hubble Telescope

    Qw The Hubble telescope has a primary mirror with diameter 2.4 m. Calculate the angular resolution of the Hubble telescope in both radians and degrees at a wavelength of 600 nm. Imagine that the Hubble telescope images the surface of the moon, 3.84*10^8 m away. What is the smallest feature on...
  5. R

    Stargazing I want to build my telescope any advice ?

    hi.. i am into astronomy as a hobby and i noticed as i was looking for telescopes that the telescopes u buy are not that flexible and that u have to buy a telescope for each type of observong ( to have the best quality of course). so i made up my mind to build my own telescope(a refractor)...
  6. vincentm

    Stargazing Upgrade Telescopes: Get Into Astrophotography & Stargazing near LIGO

    Hello Everyone, I currently own a small dobsonian telescope and with recent trips out to E. Washington state, I've been curious about upgrading to a more powerful scope. This is the one i currently own: http://www.apogeeinc.com/product.asp?itemid=766 And the one I'm currently looking at...
  7. O

    Stargazing Buying a telescope any suggestions?

    Hey, I'm new. I want to buy a telescope but don't know what to get... This is the one I'm looking at: http://tinyurl.com/k7pxp" I don't want to go tooo much over that price. Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.
  8. Amith2006

    Does a telescope magnify distant objects?

    # An observer looks at a tree of height 15 meters with a telescope of magnifying power 10. How does the tree appear to the man? I think the tree will appear to be 10 times taller. Is it right?
  9. Amith2006

    Telescope Magnification: Calculating Linear Magnification and Magnifying Power

    Please help! # A telescope has an objective of focal length 50 cm and an eye piece of focal length 5 cm. It is focused for distinct vision on a scale 200 cm away from the objective. What is the linear magnification of the telescope numerically? Also what is the magnifying power of the telescope...
  10. K

    Stargazing Recommend a telescope for a beginner?

    Slightly off topic, but could any of you recommend a telescope for a beginner? I would love to make this a hobby. I don't want anything too fancy (within a hundred dollars?), just something to inspire me. I have free time this summer.
  11. J

    X-ray Mirror to be used by telescope

    Hey all!, I'm working on a project in which I have to design the shape of a mirror to focus X-rays. This is basically what I've done so far so far. I've found that if you use a parabola mirror it will focus parallal rays, but not off-axis ones. If you then add a second mirror in the form of...
  12. U

    Designing a Keplerian Telescope with 7X Magnification & 5mm Exit Pupil

    i am to design a keplerian telescope with 7X magnification, 5mm exit pupil, and at least 10mm eye relief. I have one lens with focal length 35mm, another with focal length 5mm, giving a visual mag of 7X and the exit puiple is 5mm, but how do I account for the 10mm eye relief?
  13. P

    Stargazing Telescope acting like microscope

    I know this guy, and he say the Hubble telescope is worthless and has never done anything because it cannot take clear pictures of the Apollo landing site. This because he think it was a hoax and he wants proof:rolleyes: . He is currently not convinced of the reason Hubble cannot take such...
  14. C

    Stargazing What features should beginners look for when purchasing a telescope?

    What should I look for when I buy a telescope?
  15. ranger

    Very Large Telescope Project - Amazing Images

    Here are some images from the Very Large Telescope project. Some pictures are over 70MB! http://www.eso.org/outreach/gallery/vlt/images/Top20/Top20/topvlt.html
  16. Y

    Stargazing How is the principle of the operation of radio telescope?

    How is the principle of the operation of radio telescope? I am interesting that how can radio telescope translate signals to image. Does any experts can tell me?
  17. B

    Exploring the Field of View of the Hubble Telescope

    I was just reading about the Hubble Telescope and I saw something saying that the planetary camera on it had a field of view of 2.5' x 2'. I don't actually know anything about astronomy so I was just curious what the field of view is? I found that the ' meant arcminutes, but that doesn' help...
  18. C

    Stargazing Troubleshooting Telescope for Viewing Planets & Stars

    Hmmmm well i purchased a meade 2114 atts reflector telescope and in the manual and on the star guide it shows you can veiw comets and stars and even Jupiter and Mars and all the planets well when i tell it to find these its motors kick on and it moves and then stops and see that it has...
  19. W

    Stargazing Buying a New Telescope and would like some input.

    Well like the title says I'm buying a new telescope and would like to know what y'all think would be the best for looking at Galaxies and Nebulas, PRICE IS NOT A PROBLEM though I would like to keep it lower then $3,500.
  20. G

    Stargazing Can the Arecibo Radio Telescope Eavesdrop on the Entire Galaxy?

    Is it true that it can eavesdrop the entire galaxy?, like it has the ability to scan the whole galaxy?
  21. vincentm

    Stargazing Upgrading Telescope Lens: Is it Possible for Meade StarQuest 60AZ-M?

    IS it possible for this one? I was given an older Meade telescope today the specs: StarQuest Model: 60AZ-M 60mm (2.4") Altazimuth refratcing telescope Lens specs: - 5x24mm viewfinder - SR4mm H12.5mm and H25mm eyepieces (0.965" barrel diameter) - 2x Barlow lenses What can i...
  22. F

    Stargazing A telescope orbiting an outer planet?

    The idea popped into my head today of building an extreme telescope (larger than hubble) to orbit an outer planet such as Jupiter etc.. I'm thinking that with it being past the asteroid belt, we would be able to see farther and clearer than with the hubble. Is this an accurate assumption? The...
  23. Integral

    Stargazing How do I properly set up a telescope mount for accurate tracking and viewing?

    A few months back my brother dug this telescope of his garage and brought over to mine. I have had it out and was able to get a good look at the last quarter of the last moon, and a good look a Jupiter, with 2 moons visible. Somewhat to my surprise I was even able to resolve a couple of bands...
  24. F

    Stargazing What am I doing wrong? - Telescope Trouble

    I decided to dust off my old telescope to see what I could see. I was looking at the moon and messing around, but I could only get a sharp image with the eyepiece removed. Without the eyepiece, I can focus in a good image with my glasses on or off, but with it in it is only a blob of white...
  25. M

    Stargazing Is There a Way to View the Night Sky Without Leaving Your Computer?

    Aware of any web sites that allow you to view the night sky without going outside right on the web such as just point and clicking. I am not talking about SLOOH that apparently after reading briefly allows you to watch for 15 minutes at objects you have no choice in watching. If anyone has any...
  26. D

    Stargazing Cost-effective digital camera and telescope

    Could anyone suggest good equipment for astrophotography? What is the most cost-effective digital camera and (digital camera compatible) telescope?
  27. B

    Stargazing Building a telescope mount and have some questions

    Hello everyone. I'm finishing up my diploma in Computer Engineering Technology, and it is time to start thinking of final projects. Basically we have to build something that incorporates a microcontroller and we can do pretty much anything we want. I have decided to build an equatorial...
  28. B

    Stargazing What would you see if you sent a telescope

    like the hubble, but much more powerful, away from Earth and was able to accelerate it to near the speed of light by either gravity or some future ion accelerator. Would everything on Earth speed up for the observing telescope and hence allow us to see into our own future?
  29. S

    Stargazing Good telescope for under $100?

    Could i even get a good teloscope for less than 100$ or are they a lot more then that. I'm guessing i can't but meh? Thanks
  30. M

    Do anyone have the recent astronomy telescope diagram?

    Anyone has the dia gram of recently used astronomy telescope? Can you let me see?
  31. A

    Stargazing How to design a telescope guys?

    Hi and hello. I’m new here and this is my first post. How to design a telescope guys?
  32. R

    Stargazing Building a DIY Radio Telescope: Worth the Time and Effort?

    has anyone built this, something similar, or know anything about it? i found it on the internet and decided it was good to build seeing as i already have a satellite dish not being used. does anyone know of anything perhaps better to build? I've never built a radio telescope before, or any...
  33. R

    Is Moisture Harmful to Telescope Lenses in Cold Weather?

    i just bought a telescope and i am in Canada it iz really cold outside and i want to take it outside to look at the stars but someone told me that moisture would get stuck in the lens and it would be ruined can somebody tell me if this is true personally i don't think it would but i don't want...
  34. M

    Stargazing Giant Magellan Telescope GMT Announcement

    http://www.universetoday.com/am/publish/work_begins_mgto.html I hope that this monster can be able to see the Population III stars and who knows, perhaps also the last scattering surface?
  35. O

    Stargazing Telescope or Binoculars: Which Makes a Better Gift?

    Which would be a better gift? A 60mm refractor or a 10x50 binocular?
  36. E

    Stargazing What is the Soligor 8in telescope like?

    What is the Soligor 8in telescope like? I seen it in a camera shop in town yesterday for i think it was either 699 or 799 euros. Is it worth it? Is it a quality telescope for quality images of the nightsky such as planets, galazies & nebulas?
  37. S

    Stargazing I'm looking to buy a telescope pretty soon

    I'm looking to buy a telescope pretty soon. I've wanted one for a long time but now I will be able to get one finally. The problem is that I have NO idea where to start with looking for what to buy though. Was hoping for some pointing in the right direction (hopefully this forum is the right...
  38. S

    Solving Film Projection & Telescope Questions

    URGENT Can you please help! Hello, I have just finished what seems like an infinite amount of questions for this lab report. 2 of them I am just not sure how to proceed. Any help would be appreciated. Question 1: In a film projection apparatus, it is desired to produce pictures 12 ft...
  39. tony873004

    Stargazing Picture of Jupiter's moons without a telescope

    I took a picture of Jupiter's moons without a telescope. This is from my 300 mm zoom lens on my Canon Digital Rebel: http://orbitsimulator.com/orbiter/jupiter.jpg
  40. V

    Stargazing Choosing a Telescope Under $700

    Hi everyone, I'm finally buying my first astronomical telescope, and was wondering if any of you have an opinion to offer on what a good choice would be. My price range, including a few extra eye pieces, is anything under about $US700. I was thinking a 6 or 8 inch reflector, dobsonian mount...
  41. JasonRox

    Stargazing Looked through a telescope for the first time

    It was great, but I only got to see the moon. The sky was a little cloudy, and was not close to clear. It won't be for a few weeks apparently, which sucks. There was also a considerable amount of wind, which kept moving the telescope. Another one of my problems is that my telescope camp...
  42. P

    Stargazing Build Custom Telescope Mount: Tips & Advice

    alright...i have no experience with this...kinda weird i don't to think of it...anyways at the observatory i work at i was going though a closet and behold I find a Meade 8" F/10 SCT...it seems to be an older model b/c it just says LX on it...not even "LX200" or something like that plus it looks...
  43. J

    Neutrino Telescope: See Back in Time to Big Bang?

    I was reading a book by Timothy Ferris and he mentioned something about if we could create a neutrino telescope we could see back in time to something like 1 second after the big bang. does anyone know if one of these telescopes could be made and what do you think we would see with them?
  44. E

    Stargazing Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope Image Quality - Karl's Questions

    Hi, I am looking to buy a Schmidt-Cassegrain Scope for 1,999 euros. But I am unaware of the quality of this scope. Can anybody tell me what the image quality/details are like. Can you see for eg M42 clearly or Andromeda. Can you see details on Jupitar like the Giant red spot or the...
  45. W

    Stargazing What was the first object you saw through a telescope?

    The first object I ever viewed was Saturn back in about 1990 at a Field Night at a school set up by an Astronomy Club. I later joined that club for about 10 years.
  46. M

    Stargazing Working with a radio telescope

    Through my school, I'll be working with a radio telescope. I was wondering if you guys had any ideas or suggestions of cool things that I could research or observe with the radio telescope. Thanks!
  47. N

    Stargazing Best telescope for a young astronomer under $750?

    Any telescope experts? My son is interested in Astronomy (I may have a little interest also). Anyway, I am going to buy him a telescope, but have not clue where to start. He has a cheap one now that is completely worthless, expect mayby to look at sun bathers. So I would like to buy him...
  48. R

    Archived Telescope geometric optics problem

    Ok I'm working on my geometric optics homework and this is the last problem and I can't seem to get it right. An 6 astronomical telescope has a 32 cm focal-length objective lens. After looking at stars, an astronomer moves the eyepiece 1.0 cm farther away from the objective to focus on nearer...
  49. pelastration

    Stargazing Spitzer Telescope spies 'youngest' planet

    Telescope spies 'youngest' planet An impression of what it might be like in the CoKu Tau 4 system Nasa's Spitzer telescope has found evidence around a distant star for a planet that may be less than one million years old. The infrared space observatory studied five stars in the...
  50. S

    Stargazing Can the Hubble Space Telescope Really See 14.5 Billion Years into the Past?

    I saw once a while back on the History Channel that Hubble looks something like 14.5 billion years into the past? I know very very very little about physics but this has me very interested. Could some one clarify this a bit? I assume that the reason Hubble looks into the past is because the...
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