The History Of Refracting Telescopes

The telescopes Galileo used included a convex(meaning curves outwards) and a concave lens (bends inward), while his contemporary Johannes Kepler, began using telescopes with two convex lenses. But, both telescopes were refracting telescopes.

Polishing methods at the time, only worked well on surfaces without much curvature. Therefore, the only way to make telescopes that could see long distances was to make keep extending the length of the telescopes with wider lenses.

There was one time when Christian Huygens in Holland was using a 23-foot long telescope with lenses that were several inches in diameter. In Germany Johannes Hevelius used an instrument that was 60 feet long.

Eventually the refracting telescopes became too long and unwieldy, that it was impossible to get good results. Just to lift them up and point in the right direction was incredibly difficult and cumbersome.

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Hubble Scientific Telescope

The desire to see further and deeper into our universe and beyond gave birth to the idea of the Hubble Telescope. This incredible piece of technology has given scientists an unprecedented look at what lies beyond our atmosphere.

By sending crisply detailed images back to Earth, the telescope has helped researchers to learn more about our galaxy and our place in it. In this article, we'll look at why this amazing telescope has become a critical part of developing science here on Earth.

Originally launched into orbit in 1990, Hubble is a telescope that orbits Earth. Its purpose is similar to the telescopes used by anyone interested in amateur astronomy - to get a better look at the heavens.

However, the reason why the mission has been more successful than that of other space telescopes is its position outside of the Earth's atmosphere. The composition of the atmosphere distorts and blocks the light that reaches our planet.

Without this hindrance, Hubble has been able to send back the most detailed images that astronomers have ever seen. The telescope has revealed galaxies in various stages of evolution, new stars and planets.

This amazing instrument really has changed how scientists see Earth's position in the universe. With Hubble's help, they've discovered that the universe is rapidly expanding and have tracked the evolution of new stars and planets.

Be witnessing existence in its infancy, perhaps one day we can use the developing knowledge to improve life on Earth.

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Better Perspective Of The Universe With Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope has drastically changed the way scientists see the heavens. Hubble is one of NASA's most successful and long-lasting science missions. By using literally hundreds of thousands of images the telescope has beamed back to Earth, mankind has been given a never-before-seen perspective on the universe.

The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990 and has overcome many of the problems that other space telescopes have faced. The problem is the atmosphere because no matter how powerful the telescopes are, moving pockets have distorted the view.

This phenomenon is why stars appear to twinkle to the naked eye. The atmosphere also partially blocks or absorbs certain wavelengths of radiation, like ultraviolet and gamma-rays, before they can reach the Earth. The positioning of Hubble allows scientists to bypass this problem. Hubble is orbiting 353 miles (569 km) above the Earth's surface.

In 2008, the Hubble Space Telescope underwent a face lift of sorts. The servicing mission replaced a number of aged and degrading parts. Another 11-day repair mission was conducted in 2009. However, deterioration is inevitable, and the Hubble will eventually stop working.

Scientists project that will take years to happen, so until then, they have a state of the art piece of technology that will continue to advance our knowledge of the universe and our place in it.

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Buying A Telescope With Quality Optics

A telescope can be a costly investment. However, someone interested in astronomy doesn't have to spend a lot of money to get a piece of equipment that will give them a great view of the heavens.

Before you buy a telescope, do as much research as you possibly can. Compile a collection of manufacturers' advertisements and telescope reviews. This is an excellent way to compare different models. Astronomy Magazine is a great resource for both ads and reviews. There's far more to buying telescopes and telescope accessories that just looking into a lens, so be sure that you are clear about all the equipment you will need and the proper terminology.

Where you buy a telescope is as important as the model you buy. Telescopes from department stores don't have a very good reputation among astronomers. The components are often cheaply made with poor scopes optics, the mountings are unsteady and the finder scopes are difficult to use. It's better to spend a little more money and get a better quality telescope. As with any investment, do your homework, check out several models, and make sure you get a good warranty and a money back guarantee. Happy stargazing!

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Close And Personal With Spotting Scopes

If you're a bird watcher, tourist or researcher, then a spotting scope can bring you up close and personal with a subject. These compact telescopes are more powerful than binoculars and are a great tool for seeing objects at a distance.

Technology has greatly expanded the market for spotting scopes. With so much selection, choosing the right one for you can be difficult. In this article, we'll help you spot the best scope for you.

Telescope accessories are something that you should be prudent about buying. Spotting scopes can be stabilized with the use of a tripod. Wind, unstable terrain and shaky hands can all impair the quality of the image.

f you're going to be in one spot for an extended period of time, then you can set up your equipment and wait for the subject to arrive. Since you will likely need to carry the tripod frequently, make sure that it is lightweight, has as few adjustment mechanisms as possible, and a flip-lock design for a secure mount.

Don't feel that you need to drop a lot of money to get a quality scope. Cheaper spotting scopes can sometimes have better optics than the more expensive models.

The key to getting a great deal is knowing exactly how much power you need and not going overboard with expensive accessories. Do your homework and you'll get a scope that perfectly suits your needs.

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