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You can find out what there is to know about telescope mounts in my articles explaining the pros and cons of different telescope mounts and mounting a telescope on a camera tripod.Īn equatorial mount uses either the north or the south celestial pole as a point of reference for alignment. The main type of mounts are alt-azimuth (Alt-Az) and equatorial (EQ). 4 You need a mount that moves smoothly yet stays put where and when you want it to. Simplicity and functionality is what matters most with mounts, says Dickinson.
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#Telescope to see planets manual#
Telescope mount: The mount supports the mass of the telescope and so having a stable one will reduce the amount of manual tweaking you’ll need to do to keep a firm base. What size telescope should I get to see all the planets in our solar system? Here’s a guide: The following is a guide of what to look for when choosing the best planet telescope for you.Īperture Size: The aperture size is important but the average useful aperture size for viewing planets will differ with telescope type, e.g., reflector vs refractor, or Cassegrain, and the target planet. Things to consider when looking for a planet telescope The moons of the distant planets, Uranus and Neptune, are more challenging to find, but you might see them with a higher aperture telescope.
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One thing…Don’t expect to see views of distant objects like the nebulae captured by NASA, which are amazingly beautiful images. What Planets Can I See Through My Telescope? You can see all seven planets in our solar system with the right home telescope, though you’ll need a fairly large aperture to see the dwarf planet, Pluto, and then only as a disc. What to see of planets through a telescope These are more expensive but the extra dollars in lay-out might be worth the convenience of less time spent fiddling the controls to locate and track your target object, as it moves out of the original view with Earth’s rotation. Then there is the type of telescopes with automated mounts vs manual controls. They are better for Moon crater observations, but with skill and the right conditions you could get to see the rings of Saturn or glimpse the cloud bands of Jupiter.Īn 8″ Dob is an excellent choice that’s a good affordable beginners telescope for planet and galaxy viewing. These cheaper beginner telescopes are not the best telescopes for observing the features of planets in finer detail. These are smaller budget telescopes with simple alt-az mounts and cheap tripods and accessories. If you’re looking for something cheaper as a choice for beginners, see my article on telescopes under 200. The price of a decent telescope for planet viewing varies. In this telescope buying guide, they range between $300 and $4000. If you’re a fan of the refractor type of telescope, the SkyWatcher APO is a powerful telescope. These include Celestron’s computerized CPC and Celestron’s 6SE GoTo that’s compact. For starters, it’s simple to use. Scaling up, opt for Gotos, for truly automated planetary viewing. If you’re wanting the best bang for the buck, consider getting a Dobsonian, with it’s many advantages for beginners. Not only will you have a telescope for viewing planets but also one for viewing lunar features. What to look for in a telescope for planet viewing is one with enough power to give you decent observations of Jupiter and its transiting moons and Saturn with its rings defined. There is no perfect telescope for everyone. What’s the best telescope for viewing planets? The best telescope for planetary views is a reflecting telescope with an aperture of 6″ or more, or a 3–5″ refractor, with high quality optics, and a smooth-moving rock-steady mount.
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