Tips

I. Useful Accessories:

  • Star Maps/Software/Books
  • Red lights
  • Green Lasers (532nm), at least 5mW
  • Notepad and Pencil/Pen


II. Telescope Accessories:

  • Cases
  • Eyepieces/Eyepiece Filters
  • Optic Cleaning Kit
  • Tripod Identification Lights
  • Power Supply


III. How to prepare for a Star Party

  1. Determine Location, Time, and Weather
    • Google Maps
    • Weather.com or Wunderground.com
  2. Proper Clothing and Snacks
    • Dress for Evening Weather
    • Snacks and Water
  3. Gather Astronomy Supplies
    • Useful Accessories
    • Telescope Accessories
    • Telescope
  4. Double Check and Depart
    • It's better to arrive early

Refracting Telescope

Reflecting Telescope

Catadioptric Telescope

Telescope Types:

Refracting Telescopes:

Pros:

    • Ideal for moon, planets, and stars
    • Good for distant terrestrial viewing
    • Require little or no maintenance
    • Classic telescope design


Reflecting Telescopes:

Pros:

    • Least expensive per inch of aperture
    • Large apertures for deep-sky viewing
    • Reasonably compact and portable
    • Delivers very bright images


Catadioptric Telescopes:

Pros:

    • Easy to use, compact, and portable
    • Excellent optics provide sharp images
    • Great for astrophotography
    • Best all-purpose telescope design



Cons:

    • Most expensive per inch of aperture
    • Cost/bulk factors limit maximum size
    • Less suited for faint, deep-sky objects




Cons:

    • Not well suited for terrestrial viewing
    • Slight light loss due to mirror system
    • May need simple mirror alignment




Cons:

    • Most expensive telescope type
    • Slight light loss due to mirror system
    • Somewhat unusual appearance