To start, let's try to figure out how telescopes work. First, the magnification power – the ability to zoom in on distant objects – has actually little to do with the quality of the picture you see in the telescope. Even the cheapest telescope can magnify as much as you want, but that doesn't mean you will be able to make out anything. The main characteristic of a telescope is its resolution, or the ability to draw two closely located details in focus. Imagine a phone camera, for example. Do you remember the old Nokia phones with 1–2 megapixel cameras? And now compare them with IPhone 7 cameras. Both cameras look pretty much the same; can zoom in and zoom out. But the pictures you take are completely different: one is dull and blurry, without any details. The other one is beautiful and bright; you can even see the tips of your eyelashes. It's all about the resolution. The same principle works for telescopes. Imagine that the telescope is the "camera" fitted into your eye. If you buy a cheap and simple "camera", you can clearly see objects magnified 70 times. If you magnify further, objects will become dim and fuzzy. But if you have a good, expensive camera, you can get a magnification of up to 500 times, without losing the quality of the picture, while the sizes of the objects on the pictures will be same.
The resolution is measured in angular seconds (it's only 0.00028 degrees). The larger the diameter of the lens, the better the resolution; hence the more distant objects can be seen. Ideally, for the best image quality the magnification should be no more than the diameter of the lens in millimeters. For example, a 100mm lens will be perfect for a 100x magnification. Some increase the magnification up to 1.5-2 times when the lens is rather good quality and in fair atmospheric conditions. We wouldn't recommend increasing magnification any further.
You probably can't wait to find out what you can see in the telescope. We are ready to share it with you. First, let's dispel a few popular myths:
Can I see satellites?
Nope, they move too fast. You can hardly have it in your sights.
Can I see stars through the telescope?
Well, see – yes. Make out the details – no. The only star you can see in detail is the Sun.
To start, let's try to figure out how telescopes work. First, the magnification power – the ability to zoom in on distant objects – has actually little to do with the quality of the picture you see in the telescope. Even the cheapest telescope can magnify as much as you want, but that doesn't mean you will be able to make out anything. The main characteristic of a telescope is its resolution, or the ability to draw two closely located details in focus. Imagine a phone camera, for example. Do you remember the old Nokia phones with 1–2 megapixel cameras? And now compare them with IPhone 7 cameras. Both cameras look pretty much the same; can zoom in and zoom out. But the pictures you take are completely different: one is dull and blurry, without any details. The other one is beautiful and bright; you can even see the tips of your eyelashes. It's all about the resolution. The same principle works for telescopes. Imagine that the telescope is the "camera" fitted into your eye. If you buy a cheap and simple "camera", you can clearly see objects magnified 70 times. If you magnify further, objects will become dim and fuzzy. But if you have a good, expensive camera, you can get a magnification of up to 500 times, without losing the quality of the picture, while the sizes of the objects on the pictures will be same.
The resolution is measured in angular seconds (it's only 0.00028 degrees). The larger the diameter of the lens, the better the resolution; hence the more distant objects can be seen. Ideally, for the best image quality the magnification should be no more than the diameter of the lens in millimeters. For example, a 100mm lens will be perfect for a 100x magnification. Some increase the magnification up to 1.5-2 times when the lens is rather good quality and in fair atmospheric conditions. We wouldn't recommend increasing magnification any further