Not just installing, but knowing how to align a finderscope, can be daunting if you’re new to it. But here’s a simple step by step to follow… Having a properly installed and aligned finderscope makes life easier in locating objects in the sky since with a finderscope you have a wider field of view than … Read more
If you’re frustrated with the focus when looking through your telescope or with the quality of your views, the following may help. It’s a 15-question test to help you identify and solve a number of possible viewing problems you may be encountering. To troubleshoot issues with focus through a telescope, you can perform a 15-question test. 15 reasons you’re not getting the best possible views of planets with your telescope If you think you’re not getting the best view of planets through your telescope, ask yourself… Read on for … Read more
If you’re new to astronomy, you might be wondering about the difference between apochromatic and achromatic refractors. Don’t worry. The lingo about ‘APO’ and then doublet vs triplet confused me too. What did it all mean? So I did some research and put this together. Achromatic refractors are generally more affordable and for that reason … Read more
If you’re new to stargazing or looking to upgrade your equipment, you may be wondering whether to get a red dot finder or an optical finderscope. The main difference between red dot and optical finder scopes What a Red Dot finder looks like… Apart from the Telrad shown above, red dot sights for telescopes can … Read more
A Dobsonian is different from other telescopes for astronomy. The ‘Dobs’ are often recommended for beginners. Here are the Dobsonian pros and cons that you should know before you buy. If you’re looking to buy a Dobsonian or have already bought one, you’ll benefit from knowing more about this reflector type telescope so you can … Read more
Should you buy a reflector or a refractor telescope? Reflector telescopes use mirrors, refractor telescopes use lenses. Here are the refractor vs reflector pros and cons to help you make the right choice for you. When I first searched for a telescope to observe the night sky, I knew nothing about how a refractor was … Read more
Having a refractor telescope distorted image problem? It could be due to an aberration called astigmatism. Here’s what to know. When we look through a telescope, we want the image to be clear and sharp. Astigmatism is a type of off-axis aberration that interferes with this. Astigmatism in refractor telescopes and its effect on image … Read more
You’ve had your telescope set up for a few hours or overnight outside. A telescope can get wet during that time. It can happen for other reasons too. Here’s what I discovered about getting your telescope wet and what to do about it. How Your Telescope Got Wet You probably know that moisture is your … Read more
If you enjoy observing the night sky, then you’ll definitely want to check out these tips on how to get the best views of planets overhead. For me, with a good telescope and a clear dark sky, I get to see Jupiter’s colourful bands and Saturn’s iconic rings. I’ve discovered the following on getting the … Read more
When introducing your child to stargazing, finding the best telescope for them can be somewhat daunting. I’ve written this to help you find one that’s best, including what to consider and examples of some best telescopes for kids on the market. A telescope can offer a child so much fun but also education. You can … Read more