Telescopes give skygazers a great way to see magnified views of objects in the sky. But whether you're buying your first, second, or fifth telescope, it's important to be fully informed before heading to stores so you can make the best choice. A telescope is a long-term investment, so you'll need to do your research, learn the terminology, and consider your needs. For instance, do you want a telescope to observe planets, or are you interested in "deep-sky" objects? Those intentions will help you determine which telescope to get.
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A good telescope is not just about its power. Three hundred-times magnification sounds great, but there&#;s a catch: While high magnification makes an object appear larger, the light gathered by the scope is spread over a larger area, which creates a fainter image in the eyepiece. Sometimes, lower magnification power provides a better viewing experience, particularly if observers are looking at objects that are spread out across the sky, such as clusters or nebulae.
Also, "high-powered" scopes have specific requirements for eyepieces, so you'll need to research which eyepieces work best with a given instrument.
Any new telescope should have at least one eyepiece, and some sets come with two or three. An eyepiece is rated by millimeters, with smaller numbers indicating higher magnification. A 25-millimeter eyepiece is common and appropriate for most beginners.
Just like magnification power, a high-power eyepiece does not necessarily mean better viewing. For example, it may allow you to see details in a small cluster, but if it's used to look at a nebula, it will only show a part of the object.
It's also important to remember that while a higher-magnification eyepiece may provide more details, it can be harder to keep an object in view. To get the steadiest seeing in such cases, you may need to use a motorized mount. A lower-power eyepiece makes it easier to find objects and keep them in view. It will also require less light, so viewing dimmer objects is easier.
High- and low-power eyepieces each have their place in observing, so their value depends on the interests of the stargazer.
The two most common types of telescopes available to amateurs are refractors and reflectors. A refractor telescope uses two lenses. The larger of the two, called the "objective," is at one end; the lens the observer looks through, called the "ocular" or the "eyepiece," is at the other.
A reflector telescope gathers light at its bottom using a concave mirror called the "primary." There are many ways the primary can focus the light, and how it is done determines the type of reflecting scope.
The aperture of a telescope refers to the diameter of either the objective lens of a refractor or objective mirror of a reflector. The aperture size is the true key to the "power" of a telescope&#;its size is directly proportional to the scope's ability to gather light. And the more light a scope can gather, the better the image an observer will see.
However, that doesn't mean you should simply buy the telescope with the largest aperture you can find. If your scope is inconveniently large, you are less likely to use it. Typically, 2.4-inch (60-millimeter) and 3.1-inch (80-millimeter) refractors and 4.5-inch (114-millimeter) and 6-inch (152-millimeter) reflectors are popular for amateurs.
The focal ratio of a telescope is calculated by dividing its focal length by its aperture size. The focal length is measured from the main lens (or mirror) to where the light converges to focus. As an example, a scope with an aperture of 4.5 inches and focal length of 45 inches will have a focal ratio of f/10.
A higher focal ratio typically implies higher magnification, whereas a lower focal ratio&#;f/7, for example&#;is better for wider views.
A telescope mount is a stand that holds it steady. While it may seem like an add-on accessory, it is just as important as the tube and optics. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to view a distant object if the scope wobbles even in the slightest, so a high-quality telescope mount is a good investment.
There are essentially two types of mounts: altazimuth and equatorial. Altazimuth is similar to a camera tripod. It allows the telescope to move up and down (altitude) and back and forth (azimuth). Equatorial mounts are more complex&#;they are designed to follow the movement of objects in the sky. Higher-end equatorials come with a motor drive to follow the rotation of the earth, keeping an object in the field of view longer. Many equatorial mounts come with small computers that aim the scope automatically.
Just as with any other product, it is true with telescopes that you get what you pay for. A cheap department-store scope will almost certainly be a waste of money.
This is not to say that you should drain your bank account&#;most people do not need an overly expensive scope. However, it's important to ignore cheap deals at stores that don't specialize in scopes and will give you a low-quality viewing experience. Your strategy should be to buy the best one for your budget.
Being a knowledgeable consumer is key. Read about different scopes, both in telescope books and in articles online about the tools you need for stargazing. And don't be afraid to ask questions once you're in the store and ready to purchase.
After receiving numerous inquiries about the safety of telescopic ladders, we decided to compile a one-stop resource for the most frequently asked questions about telescopic ladders. This article will focus on the certification for telescopic ladders, what this means and what you need to do to stay safe.
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Telescopic ladders are very safe if you buy one that is certified to EN131 Part 6. Telescopic ladders have been the focus of the Ladder Association recently and the number of third party online market places selling un-safe telescopic ladders are on the rise, more information on their findings can be found in the telescopic ladder testing report. To ensure your telescopic ladder is safe purchase a telescopic ladder to EN131-6 and request the conformity certificate from the seller.
There is set criteria of certifying telescopic ladders. They of course need to be tested and pass, however they also need to feature a range of specific requirements. These features and specifications include;
Warning Signs
If the price appears to be too good to be true, it probably is. Telescopic ladders that appear regularly on third party marketplaces at a reduced cost are typically imported from outside of the UK without the necessary certifications, raising safety concerns. Any retailer should be able to confidently provide you with a conformity certificate, if they can't, avoid purchasing.
When extending the telescopic ladder, follow these steps
Certain things should be avoided while using the telescopic ladder. To begin, never attempt to adjust the rungs while using the ladder because this will tamper with the ladder's locking mechanism. Second, make sure the ladder is resting on a clean floor, and finally, never increase the height of the ladder by placing objects beneath it. Taking these precautions when using your telescopic ladder will help you avoid risks and have a pleasant experience.
When you're finished using the ladder, you'll need to collapse it for storage. This is yet another task in which you must exercise extreme caution in order to avoid injury. When retracting the telescopic ladder, the most common precaution is to avoid placing your hands between the rungs. When folding your telescopic ladder after use, follow the steps below.
Also, keep your hand on the outside of the ladder to avoid accidentally opening it and injuring the user or damaging the ladder.
Always go for quality.
It is often tempting to choose the less expensive option, especially if you are making multiple purchases. When it comes to ladders, however, where you save money usually means sacrificing the safety of its users. Purchasing from reputable suppliers ensures that the product you are purchasing is of the highest quality and has been tested.
At Ladderstore, we offer a comprehensive selection of telescopic ladders from the industry's leading manufacturers, including Zarges, Telesteps, Youngman, and Werner, all of which comply with European EN131 standards. The TB Davies Xtend and Climb, which can reach heights of 3.8m, is a popular choice among our customers.
Safety First
Because not all telescopic ladders work the same way, make sure to familiarise yourself with them and read any instructions that come with them. Make sure you get off to a good start and avoid any unnecessary mishaps.
When opening, extending or closing telescopic ladders, take care not to move too quickly as this can damage the mechanisms and jeopardise the ladder's safety.
Before you step onto the ladder, make sure it is at the proper angle and that the feet are stable against a solid surface. It is also critical not to attempt to lock the mechanisms while they are in use.
Telescopic ladders should always be stored in a clean, dry place away from extreme weather. The location should be away from anything that could fall onto the ladder.
When it comes to cleaning, a regular wipe down with a clean, dry cloth is usually all that is required. Moisture should be avoided unless your instructions state otherwise, as it can be debilitating to the mechanisms.
Ladderstore provides an excellent ladder inspection service, which we can perform onsite at your location, giving you peace of mind that your ladders have been thoroughly inspected by experts.
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