![]() It's almost as good as getting a whole new telescope!Ī common mistake made by beginners is to think that high power eyepieces are best for viewing the planets. The same instrument will show much more planetary detail just by switching eyepieces. Most telescopes come with one or two eyepieces that are fine to start off with, but usually cannot reveal a telescope's full potential. This is especially critical with the planets. Regardless of the type of telescope, always use your best eyepieces to get the sharpest views. Reflectors and catadioptric telescopes work very well on the planets, it's just that a larger aperture is needed to give the same view. While reflector and catadioptric telescopes need small, secondary mirrors to redirect light to their eyepieces, refractors have a clear light path straight to their eyepieces, keeping contrast at its greatest. ![]() High-quality refractors have the edge for studying the planets because of their "clear apertures." Any time something blocks a portion of a telescope's aperture (such as a secondary mirror), some image sharpness and contrast are lost. The telescope must have clean, high-quality optics, a sturdy mount, and good eyepieces. Most telescopes of any aperture will give pleasing views of the planets, at least of Saturn and Jupiter, because they're so big, bright, and distinctive. Each has its own set of characteristics and personality each is a wonder to behold through a telescope. ![]() First thought to be gods and goddesses, later believed to be inhabited by alien life forms, today the planets are well known as strange and marvelous worlds. ![]()
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