Telescopes are sold on every corner and available to everyone. But does it make much sense this purchase, and will not turn out whether she expectations?

My acquaintance with Amateur telescope took place in 1981 in a remote Siberian village on the banks of Biryusa. There was absolutely no street lighting, so the sky and without a telescope was beautiful. But what was seen in the eyepiece tiny telescope "Alkor", and to this day preserved in the memory of feeling somewhat overwhelming. I can't remember that I showed. Probably the usual July-August kit: the Andromeda Nebula, Ash and Chi Perseus... But remember but that ill fierce desire to have your own tool.

At the time to buy a telescope was very difficult. At least to me. Now is the time otherwise. Telescopes are sold almost at every corner, and their prices start literally from several thousand rubles. As a result, the acquisition telescope has become a highly available enterprise, which can be done by going to any electronic market for a new USB flash drive.

It so happened that I, a theorist, often have to answer the questions about the meaning of such purchases. And I decided the next column to devote your thoughts on this. Immediately disclaimer: I am a professional astronomer, and so on Amateur telescopes have not the full picture. Most likely experienced Amateur astronomers for my recommendations will prescribe me life Aceh with nails. But some notion me about these things still have to be. And I thought that for a man, who has no idea about telescopes, but somehow thinking of buying it, will be useful it is my most cajnicka tips. Someone they seem overly naive, but believe me: they are all based on real issues have been included.

I'll start with the fact that there are objects for observation which the telescope is not needed. If you are going to see through a telescope milky Way, now you have the chance to think again! To see the milky Way in all its glory, things need a little - dark terrain. If you can find the village without street lighting, better than the naked eye for the milky Way tool is not found.

The same applies to the meteoric flows. To observe, do not need a telescope or the Observatory. It is enough to have a dark sky and the meteors. However, it is important not to be deceived in their expectations. Remember: when strong "Starfall" in heaven there is several dozens of meteors per hour, that is one meteor in a few minutes. The rains, when per minute in heaven burned least a few meteors, in the entire history of observations can be counted on the fingers.

Funny question was asked recently: will we in December to see through a telescope parade of planets. No, we will not, for two reasons. First, parade of planets in December will not, secondly, the field of view of the telescope little, so that the chances of seeing it at the same time at least two planets are small. Except in rare cases of close connections, the parade of planets (whatever it was called this phrase) is also a spectacle to the naked eye.

Next. The diameter of the telescope lens does not affect its increase. It determines the amount of light collected by the telescope, so great lens allows you to see fainter objects. For observations of moon, most of the planets, more or less bright stars great lens is not needed; it can be done by a dozen of centimeters, or less - seven to eight. The increase of the telescope does not depend on the diameter of the lens, and from a combination of focal length of the lens and eyepiece. Usually, the set of telescope is simple pair of glasses, giving an increase of about 30 and 70 times.

Dare to say that for the first telescope don't need anything more: particularly is not worth chasing not only the diameter of the lens, but with the increase! Above all, remember that using a large increase, you will make the observable object visually larger, but the image quality will not improve. In addition, the greater the magnification, the narrower the field of view. For example, at our Observatory is supermegakraft 40-centimeter Amateur telescope with the least possible increase 100 times. And it is impossible entirely to see the moon, the Pleiades and many other spectacular star clusters - they just don't fit in sight! And if the moon can show and in parts, then the Pleiades "in meats" completely lose face.

The field of view is not only important in order to fully see the moon. It is convenient also hover (especially if you naudites manually) and subsequent maintenance. Usually inexpensive telescopes are equipped with a selector, which at the object it is necessary to direct the red luminous point, but I have not been successful. I regularly forget to turn it off, and to buy for him a battery on every observation is not that expensive, but just uncomfortable. So let the increase will be modest, but be picking up will be easier.

More about the power supply. Choosing a telescope, will Refine its requirements for electricity. As a rule, small tool requires a power supply of 12 V, which can go on batteries, from a car battery or AC power. Note that either the power supply or cord for cigarette lighter not included. Even if you buy a telescope for tens of thousands of euros, be prepared for the fact that the power supply be with him; it will have to buy separately. It may also be that the telescope is powered from batteries. To eat it would be fast, especially frosty winter night, so get ready stock. If not buy to start a telescope without a motor.

Now in the market there are many models of telescopes with autonovelties. Select an object on the remote control, press GOTO button, and - whack! - telescope itself is induced to where you need it. On our 40-centimeter this is a very useful feature, but do you need to pay for it, decide for yourself. On the bright planets and stars it is possible to point manually, and faint deep-sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, and other "diskai") you through a telescope with a small lens cannot see. In this first telescope still need to be manually set by the stars.

A separate problem is the installation of the telescope. Standard tripod could be shaky, so after each movement of the telescope will have to wait until it stops swaying. But there can only advise or to choose a telescope with legs stronger, or try not tripped over.

In General, dad and son looked a 40-centimeter telescope and decided that the telescope also necessary, but probably not the same, and a little cheaper. Why not, I say, you can not only 10 000, but in 10 000 roubles to meet. "But we at cheap nothing will see?" - wary asks Pope. You see, I assure. In a small and inexpensive tool without problems navigates manually and see the phases of Venus, the cloud belts and satellites of Jupiter, Saturn's rings, the Great Nebula of Orion, the Pleiades, bright double... Even the Sun! Don't expect to see the prominences and granulation, but sun spots and a penumbra it will be available to you.

However, with the Sun there are nuances. It can be seen in two ways: by setting the filter or by projecting the Sun on a piece of paper behind the eyepiece. The first method, in my opinion, more secure, but in this case you have to buy a ready-made filter or make it independently of special film. It is not very cheap, but the eyes more expensive. The projection is convenient because it can simultaneously watch a few people. But if your eye-piece is made of plastic, awkward movement or inaccurate targeting can lead to a light haze and characteristic odor. Believe me, I know what I speak of.

Sport of high achievements of gipsies - you will of course need a more powerful telescope, the sky darker and richer imagination. I already wrote that Dieskau is food for gourmets, when the rings of Saturn are already tired and the passion of the observer not only not lost but also stronger. Muddy spot galaxies in the field of view can also be a source of pleasure!

If a miracle happened and you had enough observations after a couple of views on the mountains of the moon, a simple telescope don't mind to give to a friend or put in a corner of the living room as a fashion accessory.