New to this? Read how to use a telescope and what you can actually see, both cited to NASA. Then magnification explained covers the math behind eyepieces, refractor vs reflector explains the three main designs, and how to collimate walks through Celestron's method for reflectors.
How-tos and explainers
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Refractor vs reflector
How the three main telescope designs work, and the trade-offs between them.
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How to use a telescope
A step-by-step first night with a telescope, cited to Celestron, NASA and the National Park Service.
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Telescope magnification
The magnification formula, useful limits, exit pupil and field of view, with worked examples.
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How to collimate
Celestron's step-by-step method for aligning a Newtonian's mirrors, and the tools that help.
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What can you see
Realistic expectations by instrument size, cited to NASA, with tips for when and where to look.