What can you see with different telescopes?

When buying a telescope, whatever its model, the buyer will immediately be interested in what can be seen through it. Of course, it is not easy to equip a home observatory, so it is better to go to special places for a truly complete overview. But having a telescope at home can be a very interesting adventure too, as even children's models can be impressive.

Of course, the picture that pops up in memory when the word "space" is not comparable to what can be captured even in the most powerful telescope. It's like comparing, for example, an illustration in an encyclopedia on the structure of the human body and the image of certain organs on an ultrasound scan. And although the difference in the pictures is significant, in one case it will be visual modeling, and in the other it will be a real image, albeit fuzzy.

There is a skeptic who will assure that binoculars will also allow you to see the craters on it. But the Moon observed even in very good binoculars will fill only an insignificant part of the field of view. Individual craters will be difficult to see. And if you take, for example, a seven-centimeter refractor with an image magnification of 100 times, you will see how the Moon fills the whole picture. And the craters are no longer just visible: the structure of the embankments, the central hills, cracks and mountain ranges are noticeable. And this, it is worth recalling, is a technique with a 70 mm refractor.

Consider what else can be seen with an amateur home telescope.

• Planetary discs. Even a modest telescope with a magnification of 90 and even 60 times will show Jupiter's shield, as well as its equatorial stripes.Although, in general, the planets are the biggest disappointment for those who hope to see space through a telescope, being guided by stereotypes about it. Peas, which are planets, will be visible. But, for example, the same Jupiter will seem oblate. If the device has a lens diameter of more than 10 cm, it is realistic to consider even the Great Red Spot - this is the name of a giant vortex in the atmosphere.

• Rings of Saturn. In the most ordinary telescope, they will certainly be visible. True, if the ring turned out to be an edge during the inspection, nothing will come of it: you need to wait for another moment.

• Mars. In the device, he will be a red pea with a white cap. And if you look at Mars at the moment of opposition (that is, at the moment when there is a minimum distance between it and the Earth), then it will be realistic to consider the seas on Mars - dark spots.

• Mercury and Venus. These are also peas for the observer, but you can see their phases. They will become like small moons in the tube: either as an incomplete disk, or as a crescent.

• Uranus and Neptune. The first one will seem to be a star, very small, with an inconspicuous disk. Neptune will also be seen as a faint star.

• Star clusters. The beautiful name for "open clusters" is a group of stars against an almost uniform (as far as possible) stellar background. It looks very beautiful, it takes your breath away. Globular star clusters are not as expressive as open ones, since they are just specks.

• Nebulae. To notice these objects, you need a dark sky, very dark. Observing them from the urban environment, there is no hope for a positive result. And even if we managed to see them, they will be faded grayish spots with no detail.

• Galaxies. For small telescopes, this is not the easiest object to observe. It will be difficult to understand that these white specks with a subtle glow are galaxies.

When buying, do not look at the magnification factor. It sounds strange, but the fact is that such a characteristic will not be the most important for a telescope. It is possible to observe space with children even with a low magnification. But you will have to pay attention to the diameter of the main mirror. For example, if it is only 30 mm, then this is not enough, but from 60 the studies become more and more interesting.

What can be seen in an ordinary children's telescope:

• The moon (children are surprised by its porous surface);
• satellites of Jupiter;
• phases of Venus;
• the Orion nebula;
• stars with a limiting magnitude of 11.5;
• large globular star clusters.

The planets of the solar system will appear as peas, and the stars as dots, only brighter. Of course, this option may disappoint children a little, because they are expecting almost a cartoon in the pipe. But it is worth reminding them that great discoverers like Galileo Galilei could not count on such a technique. And still, this did not stop them from making breakthrough discoveries. Therefore, looking at the starry sky through a children's telescope is still a happy opportunity for a modern child.

The telescope, with a diameter of 50-80 mm, is well suited for children under 8 years of age and a little older. In principle, with a technique of 70 mm in diameter, novice adults can also observe space pictures. You can see craters on the moon, and so can Jupiter's cloud belts. You will also have to purchase a tripod: if it is stable, the picture will not "wobble", will not seem blurry. It is also important to remember the observation positions. Children are impatient, but you have to explain that for a good picture you need to go out of town. Time of observations, atmospheric phenomena, settings - everything is important.

For more vivid impressions, people go to the planetarium. Of course, many would like to touch the majestic telescopes - huge modern objects that allow you to look not only into the present of the Universe, but also into its past (according to some collected data, to reconstruct it). But this is available only to a select few, but a trip to the planetarium is available to everyone.

The moon is the first object any observer wants to see, and with powerful telescopes, history repeats itself. Its amazing relief can really be seen, but, alas, it will not be possible to see the traces of Neil Armstrong. All jokes, but lunar craters and mountains are interesting too. And some amateurs can even register flares on the lunar surface, for which there is still no exact explanation.

Even with the help of powerful technology, you can consider the following objects.

• Gas nebulae. It is difficult to do this without special filters, but if there are any, what you see will be a real pleasure.
• Artificial satellites of the Earth. This is an amazing experience. For example, to see the ISS, or even better - to take a picture of it. True, for this, orientation in the sky must be excellent, and the calculation of coordinates will be required (there are special programs).
• Saturn and other planets. Saturn especially stands out due to the incredible beauty of the planet. It is visible even with a small telescope, but with a powerful impression it is much stronger. Satellites, separation between the rings, and also cloud belts - it looks very impressive. And on Jupiter, you can see several stripes (on a small telescope, you will see only 2).

Separately, it should be said about the Sun. There are also inexperienced space enthusiasts who dream of finding a telescope with a 300-fold magnification and from it, then, consider all the main celestial bodies. And the Sun too. But it can be viewed only with the help of special filters, and nothing else. It is dangerous when people decide to use some kind of home-made constructions like films, floppy disks and even smoked glass. Only a professional solar filter will mediate this research, otherwise the first glance at the Sun will be the last.

The surge of interest in telescopes is a logical effect of the Elon Musk era. Its objects launched into space can be seen with the naked eye under certain conditions. But the telescope makes this process special: it is no longer just the fixation of eternal celestial bodies, but also evidence of scientific progress online. And if it is not always possible to come to the planetarium, then you can get a small amateur device. Even a children's tool will satisfy more than one request. If such a device is presented to a child, then the whole family looks into the pipe: even for the sake of lunar landscapes and the unique beauty of Saturn, it is definitely worth doing it.