Since the dawn of time, the night sky has fascinated inhabitants of Earth. The Egyptians and Mayans used stars to navigate, as did sailors. Constellations have provided fascinating legends and fodder for horoscope writers in newspapers all over the world. In this free amateur astronomer series, a professional telescope salesperson demonstrates how to purchase a telescope, discusses how strong a lens should be purchased for a first telescope, and what type of accessories should be purchased to go along. In this series, an expert explains the parts of a refracting telescope and the qualities which make up a good eyepiece. What about portable telescopes? Find out about a planisphere, and how it can help beginning astronomers map out the night sky. A new telescope is a big investment, and buyers face a bewildering array of options. Find out which options suit different levels of user expertise in this free video series of amateur astronomy buying tips. The night sky awaits!
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Telescope Buying Guide: GoTo Mounts
GoTo telescope mounts have electronic motors for both the horizontal axis and vertical axis. Learn about GoTo mounts for telescopes in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Another type of telescope mounting system growing in popularity is called the GoTo mount. These ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Focal Ratio & Focal Length
When buying a telescope, use the focal length and focal ratio to determine the magnification of a telescope. Choose a focal ratio for a telescopes based on the tips in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. In this clip we're going to cover those F numbers, the FR and the ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Mounts
More expensive telescope mounts have smoother adjustment controls. Compare mounts for telescopes with buying tips in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. The other half of the equation in selecting a telescope is selecting a good sturdy mount. This will make your ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Dobsonian Mounts
Dobsonian telescope mounts are commonly used for reflecting telescopes or Newtonian telescopes. Learn about Dobsonian mounts for telescopes in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Another type of altazimuth mount and a term you may have heard before in astronomy is called ...
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Telescope Accessories: Planisphere
Purchase a planisphere or star chart with a telescope to be able to locate planets and stars in the night sky.Find the stars in the sky with telescope tips in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Another important asset in your arsenal of astronomy is a good sky chart, a ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Refracting Telescopes
A refracting telescope is the most common kind of telescope. Discover the difference between refracting and reflecting telescopes in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. In this segment we will talk to you about refracting telescopes. These are telescopes that gather ...
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Telescope Accessories: Portable Planetariums
Portable planetariums help astronomers figure out where to point their telescopes in the night sky. Discover the night sky with the astronomy accessories in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Now let me show you a couple of exciting new toys for astronomy--kind of the ...
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Binoculars for Astronomy
Binoculars are a great way to learn to navigate the night sky. Learn why binoculars are an essential astronomy tool in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Another object to consider when starting astronomy is a good set of binoculars. Often the best first telescope is a ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Eyepieces
When choosing a telescope eyepiece, remember that more space between the eye and the lens allows for more adjustment possibilities. Compare different styles of eyepieces for telescopes with the shopping tips in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Now the next thing we're ...
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Tips for Buying a Telescope
Know what features to look for when buying a telescope. Telescope buyers are faced with many options and confusing technological terms when choosing what to purchase. Find out what to look for when buying a telescope in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Hello, my name ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Reflecting Telescopes
A reflecting telescope should only be used for night sky viewing. Discover the difference between reflecting and refracting telescopes in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. In this segment we're going to talk about reflecting telescopes. Now when refractors first ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Composite Telescopes
Composite telescopes have greater focal lengths and more compact designs than standard telescopes. Find out how composite telescopes differ from other telescopes in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Another type of reflecting telescope is a compound telescope, most ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Equatorial Mounts
Equatorial telescope mounts allow users to track the earth's rotation. Find out about equatorial mounts for telescopes in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Another mount commonly used in astronomy is the equatorial mount. The equatorial has one axis tilted toward the ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Filters for Viewing the Sun
In spite of all of those childhood warnings, telescopes can be used to look at the sun with the proper filters. Find out how to buy telescope accessories in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Another common request is people asking me, "can I look at the sun ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Barlow Eyepiece
Barlow eyepieces for telescopes are sold in different magnification factors. Find out about a Barlow eyepiece for a telescope in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Another option to purchasing eyepieces is what is called a Barlow. A Barlow is essentially a tube here ...
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Resources for Amateur Astronomers
Use the Internet or local library to research astronomy. Find out where to learn more about outfitting telescopes in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. We certainly hope you've enjoyed this tutorial, and it's been of value for you. As a relative newcomer to the hobby, I ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Finder Scopes
When buying a telescope, select a finder scope that is comfortable to look through. Decide what type of finder scope to purchase for a telescope with the buying tips in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Another important feature for your telescope and astronomy is your ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Low Cost Options
Excellent quality telescopes can be purchased for less than $500. Save money when shopping for telescopes with the buying tips in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Okay, so we've talked a lot about telescopes here and hopefully we're better educated, but how about some ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Practical Accessories
Accessories to protect telescopes and make them easier to use are good investments. Buy useful accessories for telescopes with the shopping tips in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. Now as you've done your research on telescopes, you've noticed there's a lot of ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: Aperture
The aperture of a telescope refers to its ability to gather light. Find out which aperture to choose when buying a telescope in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. When selecting a telescope for astronomy, aperture is actually the most important feature, you want to ...
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Telescope Buying Guide: What to Avoid
When buying a telescope, be wary of inflated magnification claims and wobbly tripods. Shop wisely for telescopes with the buying tips in this free video on home astronomy from a telescope salesperson. So now that we know some of the positives to look for in a telescope, it's important that we give ...
