Telescopes

Telescopes

A telescope is an instrument used for observing distant objects, such as stars, planets and galaxies. Using a system of lenses and mirrors, usually housed in a tubular casing, telescopes focus on the light of a distant object and use that light to create an image of the object.¹

Fast Facts

Hans Lippershey invented the first modern telescope in 1608²
Types of telescopes: Refracting telescope, reflecting telescope and catadioptric telescope
Sir Isaac Newton improved telescope design by using mirrors³
Early telescopic observations were recorded by hand
The development of photography allowed for more accurate recording of telescopic observances
Telescopes are mounted on a solid base to reduce shaking and improve visibility

Galileo and Telescopes

Italian researcher Galileo improved on Lippershey's original telescope design and used his telescopes to observe the sky. His observations expanded on earlier theories of heliocentrism, which placed the sun and not the earth at the center of the universe. Galileo's ideas disagreed with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Categories

Products | Science | Astronomy

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The Mahalo Top 7

Central Coast Astronomical Society: Telescope Basics
Wikipedia: Telescope
The Digges Telescope: Did the reflecting telescope have English origins?
Sky & Telescope: A Guide to Choosing a Telescope
Tools of Cosmology: First Telescopes
The Galileo Project: The Telescope
Mahalo Daily: Griffith Park Observatory Tour (Time 4:13)

Telescope News and Reviews

Hubblesite: Hubble Space Telescope News
Scientific American.com: Modern Telescopes Illuminate 400-yr old Astronomical Mystery (2004)
National Science Foundation: Telescope sheds light on fate of universe (1998)
Discovery Channel: Telescope News

Telescope Information and Tips

Howstuffworks: How Telescopes Work
Amazing-Space: Who invented the telescope?
Cape Canaveral Lab: Are you ready for a telescope?
RocketRoberts: Advice for First Time Telescope Buyers
Gnomon Astrotech: Terms of Telescopes

Using a Telescope

Sky & Telescope: The Art of Using a Telescope
Space.com: How to use a new scope
Astronomy Magazine: Using a Telescope

Telescope Manufacturers

Telescope Retailers

OpticsPlanet.com: Meade mySky Personal Sky Exploration Guide
Woodland Hills Telescopes: Meade mySky
OptCorp: Oceanside Photo & Telescopes
ScopeTronix: Astronomy Products
Discovery Channel Store: Featured Telescopes

Compare Prices

Yahoo! Shopping: Celestron 52265 Telescope
Epinions: Review Celestron Telescopes
NexTag: Binoculars and Telescopes
Consumer Guide Products: Meade Telescope

Telescope Coupons and Deals

OpticsPlanet.com: Specials, Closeouts, Promotions & Super Deals
Orion Telescopes: Clearance Telescopes
Woodland Hills Telescopes: Super Deals
Overstock.com: Telescopes

Telescope Accessories

Astronomy Magazine: Telescope Accessories Guide
Prairie Astronomy Club: Telescope Buyer's Guide
Telescope-Service: Telescope Accessories

Notable Telescopes

Telescope Message Boards and Blogs

South Pole Telescope: Welcome to the SPT Blog
NorCal Blogs: 400 Years of the telescope
Space.com: How to buy a telescope

Related Pages on Mahalo

Hubble Space Telescope | Astronomy | Stars | Constellations | Binoculars | Barometers | Microscopes | Lunar Eclipse (February 20-21, 2008)

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