1. Goal: To understand the tools needed to do Amateur Astronomy.
Objectives:
To understand telescopes
To understand binoculars
To understand Astrophotography – cameo
To understand star charts

2. Telescopes
Which of the following is the most important aspect of a telescope
1) magnification
2) diameter of mirror/lens
3) length of the telescope
4) none of the above

3. Magnification Makes the image bigger
The magnification = focal length of mirror
focal length of eyepiece
So, no telescope has a specific magnification – can always use a smaller eyepiece

4. A tale of two images

5. A tale of two images

6. Another way to magnify
Barlow Lens
Magnifies telescope

7. Don’t buy into magnification
If they have to focus on the magnification, it is a terrible telescope – DON’T BUY IT!

8. Resolution A measure of the smallest detail you can see
Depends on the effective diameter of the telescope
Resolution (ignoring atmosphere and for optical light)
= 151 arc seconds / diameter in mm

9. Two types of telescopes
Refracting, uses a glass lens to bend light
Not all color bend equally
Chromatic Abrasion
ZERO professional telescopes are this type
Most good amateurs don’t use this type
Telescopes you find of this type are usually cheap and worthless

10. Reflecting Telescope Designed by Isaac Newton
Uses a mirror to reflect light
All professional, and most amateur telescopes are reflecting
The 4 inch scopes we are using for class are reflecting telescopes

11. Level of tech on telescopes
Dobsonian – no bells an whistles, are pretty cheap
6-8” telescope for $200-$300
Tracking – but not computerized, can move with the sky and allows you to take longer exposure images
6-8” telescope for $1000
Computerized – all the bells and whistles
6-8” telescope for $2000

12. Binoculars Wide range of quality and price
Good to look at large objects like the moon and large clusters/nebulas
Very bad for smaller, fainter objects
Astronomy binoculars tend to be a bit longer than hunting binoculars (more magnification)

13. Stats on binoculars
A X B is what you will find. The first number represents the magnification, the second if the diameter of the lenses
So, a 8X 23 would be a magnification of 8 and a diameter of 23 mm (about 1 inch)

14. Astrophotography Taking pictures of space
Cameo guest speaker, Dr. Fritz Kleinhans

15. Star Charts http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html

16. Rise and Set times

17. Conclusion: We have examined telescopes and binoculars
We have learned about astrophotography and star charts