EntranceWhat is visible through an amateur telescope. What can you see through a telescope? Using binoculars to explore the Milky Way
How to calculate the magnification of a telescope?In this section we tried to put together the fragmentary information that can be found on the Internet. There is a lot of information, but it is not systematized and scattered. We, guided by many years of experience, have systematized our knowledge in order to simplify the choice for novice astronomy lovers.
Main characteristics of telescopes:
Typically, the name of a telescope indicates its focal length, lens diameter, and mount type.
For example, Sky-Watcher BK 707AZ2, where the lens diameter is 70 mm, the focal length is 700 mm, the mount is azimuth, second generation.
However, the focal length is often not indicated on the telescope labeling.
For example Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ.
A telescope is a more versatile optical instrument than a spotting scope. A larger range of magnifications is available to him. The maximum available magnification is determined by the focal length (the longer the focal length, the greater the magnification).
To display a clear and detailed image at high magnification, the telescope must have a lens large diameter(apertures). The bigger, the better. A large lens increases the telescope's aperture and allows you to view distant objects of low luminosity. But as the diameter of the lens increases, the dimensions of the telescope also increase, so it is important to understand under what conditions and for observing what objects you want to use it.
How to calculate the magnification of a telescope?
Changing the magnification in a telescope is achieved by using eyepieces with different focal lengths. To calculate the magnification, you need to divide the focal length of the telescope by the focal length of the eyepiece (for example, the Sky-Watcher BK 707AZ2 telescope with a 10 mm eyepiece will give a magnification of 70x).
The multiplicity cannot be increased indefinitely. As soon as the magnification exceeds the resolving power of the telescope (lens diameter x1.4), the image becomes dark and blurry. For example, a Celestron Powerseeker 60 AZ telescope with a focal length of 700 mm does not make sense to use with a 4 mm eyepiece, because in this case it will give a magnification of 175x, which is significantly greater than 1.4 times the diameter of the telescope - 84).
Common mistakes when choosing a telescope
- The higher the multiplicity, the better
This is far from true and depends on how and under what conditions the telescope will be used, as well as on its aperture (lens diameter).
If you are a beginner astronomer, you should not chase high magnification. Observing distant objects requires a high degree of training, knowledge and skill in astronomy. Moon and planets solar system can be observed at magnifications from 20 to 100x. - Buying a reflector or large refractor for observations from a balcony or from a city apartment window
Reflectors (mirror telescopes) are very sensitive to atmospheric fluctuations and to extraneous light sources, so it is extremely impractical to use them in urban conditions. Large aperture refractors (lens telescopes) always have a very long tube (for example, with an aperture of 90 mm, the length of the tube will exceed 1 meter), so their use in city apartments is not possible. - Buying a telescope with an equatorial mount as your first
The equatorial mount is quite difficult to master and requires some training and qualifications. If you are a beginner astronomer, we would recommend purchasing a telescope on an alt-azimuth mount or a Dobsonian mount. - Buying cheap eyepieces for serious telescopes and vice versa
The quality of the resulting image is determined by the quality of all optical elements. Installing a cheap eyepiece made from budget optical glass will negatively affect image quality. Conversely, installing a professional eyepiece on an inexpensive device will not lead to the desired result.
FAQ
- I want a telescope. Which one should I buy?
A telescope is not something you can buy without any purpose. A lot depends on what you plan to do with it. Telescope capabilities: show both terrestrial objects and the Moon, as well as galaxies hundreds of light years away (only the light from them takes years to reach the Earth). The optical design of the telescope also depends on this. Therefore, you must first decide on an acceptable price and object of observation. - I want to buy a telescope for my child. Which one should I buy?
Many manufacturers have introduced children's telescopes into their range especially for children. This is not a toy, but a full-fledged telescope, usually a long-focus achromatic refractor on an azimuthal mount: it is easy to install and configure, it will show the Moon and planets well. Such telescopes are not very powerful, but they are inexpensive, and there is always time to buy a more serious telescope for a child. If, of course, the child is interested in astronomy. - I want to look at the moon.
You will need a telescope “for near space.” In terms of optical design, long-focus refractors, as well as long-focus reflectors and mirror-lens telescopes, are best suited. Choose a telescope of these types to suit your taste, based on price and other parameters you need. By the way, through such telescopes it will be possible to look not only at the Moon, but also at the planets of the Solar System. - I want to look at distant space: nebulae, stars.
Any refractors, short-focus reflectors and mirror-lens telescopes are suitable for these purposes. Choose according to your taste. And some types of telescopes are equally well suited for both near space and far space: these are long-focus refractors and mirror-lens telescopes. - I want a telescope that can do everything.
We recommend reflex lens telescopes. They are good for ground-based observations, for the Solar System, and for deep space. Many of these telescopes have simpler mounts and computer guidance, and are a great option for beginners. But such telescopes have a higher price than lens or mirror models. If price is a factor, you might want to look at a long-focus refractor. For beginners, it is better to choose an alt-azimuth mount: it is easier to use. - What is a refractor and reflector? Which is better?
Telescopes of various optical designs will help you visually get closer to the stars; the results are similar, but the mechanisms of the device are different and, accordingly, the application features are different.
A refractor is a telescope that uses optical glass lenses. Refractors are cheaper, they have a closed tube (no dust or moisture will get into it). But the tube of such a telescope is longer: these are the structural features.
The reflector uses a mirror. Such telescopes are more expensive, but they have smaller dimensions (shorter tube). However, the telescope mirror may fade over time and the telescope may become blind.
Any telescope has its pros and cons, but for any task and budget you can find the ideal telescope model. Although, if we talk about the choice in general, mirror-lens telescopes are more versatile. - What is important when buying a telescope?
Focal length and lens diameter (aperture).
The larger the telescope tube, the larger the lens diameter will be. The larger the lens diameter, the more light the telescope will collect. The more light the telescope collects, the better dim objects will be visible and the more details will be visible. This parameter is measured in millimeters or inches.
Focal length is a parameter that affects the magnification of a telescope. If it is short (up to 7), it will be harder to get a large increase. A long focal length starts at 8 units; such a telescope will magnify more, but the viewing angle will be smaller.
This means that to observe the Moon and planets, a higher magnification is needed. Aperture (as an important parameter for the amount of light) is important, but these objects are already quite bright. But for galaxies and nebulae, it is the amount of light and aperture that are most important. - What is the magnification of a telescope?
Telescopes visually magnify an object so much that you can see details on it. The magnification will show how much you can visually enlarge something at which the observer’s gaze is directed.
The magnification of a telescope is largely limited by its aperture, that is, by the boundaries of the lens. In addition, the higher the magnification of the telescope, the darker the image will be, so the aperture must be large.
The formula for calculating magnification is: F (lens focal length) divided by f (eyepiece focal length). One telescope usually comes with several eyepieces, and the magnification ratio can thus be changed. - What can I see with a telescope?
This depends on telescope characteristics such as aperture and magnification.
So:
aperture 60-80 mm, magnification 30-125x - lunar craters from 7 km in diameter, star clusters, bright nebulae;
aperture 80-90 mm, magnification up to 200x - phases of Mercury, lunar grooves 5.5 km in diameter, rings and satellites of Saturn;
aperture 100-125 mm, magnification up to 300x - lunar craters from 3 km in diameter, clouds of Mars, stellar galaxies and nearby planets;
aperture 200 mm, magnification up to 400x - lunar craters from 1.8 km in diameter, dust storms on Mars;
aperture 250 mm, magnification up to 600x - satellites of Mars, details of the lunar surface from 1.5 km in size, constellations and galaxies. - What is a Barlow lens?
Additional optical element for a telescope. In fact, it increases the telescope's magnification several times, increasing the focal length of the lens.
The Barlow lens does work, but its capabilities are not unlimited: the lens has a physical limit to its useful magnification. After overcoming it, the image will really become larger, but the details will not be visible, only a large cloudy spot will be visible in the telescope. - What is a mount? Which mount is better?
A telescope mount is the base on which the tube is mounted. The mount supports the telescope, and its specially designed mount allows you not to rigidly mount the telescope, but also to move it along different trajectories. This will be useful, for example, if you need to monitor the movement of a celestial body.
The mount is just as important for observing as the main part of the telescope. A good mount should be stable, balance the pipe and fix it in the desired position.
There are several types of mounts: azimuth (easier and easier to set up, but difficult to keep the star in the field of view), equatorial (more difficult to set up, heavier), Dobson (a type of azimuth for floor installation), GoTo (a homing telescope mount, you just need to enter the target ).
We do not recommend the equatorial mount for beginners: it is difficult to set up and use. Azimuthal for beginners - just right. - There are Maksutov-Cassegrain and Schmidt-Cassegrain mirror-lens telescopes. Which is better?
From the point of view of application, they are approximately the same: they will show both near space, and distant, and ground objects. The difference between them is not so significant.
Due to their design, Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes do not have side glare and their focal length is longer. Such models are considered preferable for studying planets (although this statement is practically disputed). But they will need a little more time for thermal stabilization (starting work in hot or cold conditions, when you need to equalize the temperature of the telescope and environment), and they weigh a little more.
Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes will require less time for thermal stabilization and will weigh a little less. But they have side glare, a shorter focal length, and less contrast. - Why are filters needed?
Filters will be needed by those who want to take a closer look at the object of study and examine it better. As a rule, these are people who have already decided on a goal: near space or distant space.
There are planetary filters and deep space filters, which are optimal for studying the target. Planetary filters (for planets of the Solar System) are optimally selected in order to view a particular planet in detail, without distortion and with the best contrast. Deep sky filters (for deep space) will allow you to focus on a distant object. There are also filters for the Moon, so that you can view the earth’s satellite in all detail and with maximum convenience. There are also filters for the Sun, but we would not recommend observing the Sun through a telescope without proper theoretical and material preparation: for an inexperienced astronomer there is a high risk of vision loss. - Which manufacturer is better?
From what is presented in our store, we recommend paying attention to Celestron, Levenhuk, Sky-Watcher. There are simple models for beginners and separate additional accessories. - What can you buy in addition to the telescope?
There are options, and they depend on the wishes of the owner.
Light filters for planets or deep space - for better results and image quality.
Adapters for astrophotography - for documenting what you were able to see through the telescope.
A backpack or carrying bag - for transporting the telescope to the observation site, if it is remote. The backpack will protect fragile parts from damage and not lose small items.
Eyepieces - the optical designs of modern eyepieces differ; accordingly, the eyepieces themselves differ in price, viewing angle, weight, quality, and most importantly - focal length (and the final magnification of the telescope depends on it).
Of course, before making such purchases, it is worth checking whether the add-on is suitable for the telescope. - Where should you look through a telescope?
Ideally, to work with a telescope, you need a place with a minimum of lighting (city illumination from street lamps, illuminated advertising, light from residential buildings). If there is no known safe place outside the city, you can find a place within the city, but in a fairly dimly lit place. Clear weather will be required for any observations. It is recommended to observe deep space during the new moon (give or take a few days). A weak telescope will need a full moon - it will still be difficult to see anything further than the Moon.
Basic criteria when choosing a telescope
| Optical design. Telescopes come in mirror (reflector), lens (refractor) and mirror-lens types. | |
| Lens diameter (aperture). The larger the diameter, the greater the telescope's aperture and its resolution. Moreover, the more distant and dim objects can be seen through it. On the other hand, diameter greatly influences the dimensions and weight of a telescope (especially a lens one). It is important to remember that the maximum useful magnification of a telescope cannot physically exceed 1.4 times its diameter. Those. with a diameter of 70 mm, the maximum useful magnification of such a telescope will be ~98x. |  |
| Focal length— how far the telescope can focus. A long focal length (long focal length telescopes) means higher magnification, but a smaller field of view and aperture ratio. Suitable for detailed viewing of small, distant objects. A short focal length (short-focus telescopes) means low magnification but a large field of view. Suitable for observing extended objects such as galaxies and astrophotography. |  |
Mount is a method of attaching a telescope to a tripod.
|
Pros and cons of optical circuits
Long-focus achromat refractors (lens optical system)
Short-focus achromat refractors (lens optical system)
Long-focus reflectors (mirror optical system)
Short throw reflectors (mirror optical system)
Mirror-lens optical system (catadioptric)
Schmidt-Cassegrain (a type of mirror-lens optical design)
Maksutov-Cassegrain (a type of mirror-lens optical design)
What can you see through a telescope?
Aperture 60-80 mm
Lunar craters from 7 km in diameter, star clusters, bright nebulae.
Aperture 80-90 mm
Phases of Mercury, lunar grooves 5.5 km in diameter, rings and satellites of Saturn.
Aperture 100-125 mm
Lunar craters from 3 km to study the clouds of Mars, hundreds of star galaxies, nearby planets.
Aperture 200 mm
Lunar craters 1.8 km, dust storms on Mars.
Aperture 250 mm
Satellites of Mars, details of the lunar surface 1.5 km, thousands of constellations and galaxies with the ability to study their structure.
What can you see in the city? The overexposed city sky does not provide any opportunity to observe small astronomical objects. But this does not mean that a telescope has nothing to do in the city sky. Let's try to figure out what and how you can see in the city sky.
What kind of telescope do you need? The best option is a telescope that is best suited for dark sky observations. In this case, all statements regarding aperture size and ease of use are true. But we should not forget that a relatively large telescope entails a rather troublesome, labor-intensive process of assembly, installation and disassembly.
In addition, it requires a significant amount of space for its own storage. For astronomical observations within the city, additional attention should be paid to computerized models of telescopes with an automatic pointing function (“Go-To”). Using the standard method of setting up a telescope for urban observations, you will certainly encounter pointing problems due to lack of visible stars, while work automatic system does not depend on light exposure (provided the mount is correctly attached).
Where is the best place to stay?
When choosing the optimal location for astronomical observations in urban environments, we must not forget that sidewalks and roofs heat up during the day and radiate accumulated heat at night. As a result, the air above them flows and spoils the image in the telescope. Based on this, it is best to sit on the ground or grass, which absorbs much less heat. In addition, you should not point the telescope at objects near the roofs of other buildings or lamps.
The fact is that the proximity of lights reduces the contrast of the image and irritates the eyes. But if you have no choice, try covering your head with an opaque cloth while observing. We must also remember that the ideal time for observations comes when the celestial object is at its maximum height relative to the horizon. Remember that light pollution in the city sky is reduced somewhat at night when advertising signs and yard lighting are turned off.
What can you see in the city sky?
The sun is very suitable for daytime observations. But to observe the luminary, it is necessary to use a special aperture filter, otherwise there is a high risk of seriously harming your own vision.
Now about the objects that are best observed at night, even in urban environments:
Moon - the largest and brightest object in the earth's sky after the sun. Its surface is covered with numerous craters and looks very bright and beautiful even when observed from the city. The edge of light, which moves every night, allows us to see in detail various features of the lunar surface.
Planets – 4 fairly bright celestial objects are immediately available for observation by city astronomers. True, for quality observation of them it is necessary that the atmosphere be calm. In addition, great patience will be required from the observer, as he will have to literally catch minutes of a clear image.
Earth's neighbor - Venus, is the third brightest celestial object after the sun and moon. Because it lies between the Sun and Earth, we see it not fully illuminated and exhibiting phases somewhat similar to the Moon. Moreover, the size of Venus, which we see in a telescope, depends precisely on the phase - when it is largest, we see only a thin crescent. The fact is that Venus is shrouded in a dense cloud cover, in which the human eye is not allowed to see any details.
Mars - a small and complex celestial object. But it is also so rich in subtle surface detail that it is certainly worth the effort and time spent. If you have a good telescope and a suitable atmosphere, at high magnification on the surface of Mars it is quite possible to see one or two polar caps and individual dark areas, including the famous Syrtis Major. From time to time, Martian dust storms change the shape of visible features of the planet or hide them completely. The ideal time to observe Mars comes at intervals of about 26 months. During these periods, the red planet passes at a minimum distance from the Earth and significantly increases in size visible to humans.
Most big planet solar system Jupiter , quite rightly called the “city pearl”. This planet will amaze any observer with its varied and changing details. On the large disk of Jupiter, you can easily see cloud bands of various shades and the famous Great Red Spot (a giant vortex the size of three Earths in the transverse plane).
Another reason to be sure to point your telescope at Jupiter is the four Galilean moons, which were named after Galileo, who discovered them back in 1610.
Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto- can be easily viewed not only through a small telescope, but even through simple binoculars. These satellites orbit Jupiter with different periods, from two days to two weeks. Changes in their location are noticeable literally within an hour. Sometimes the satellites line up away from the planet, sometimes some of them are hidden behind Jupiter itself, and sometimes a small dark spot becomes noticeable on the planet’s disk, which is actually a shadow from a satellite moving against the background of the planet.
Another truly breathtaking sight to see in our solar system is planet Saturn and her famous rings. Even the brightest and most annoying city lights are not able to overshadow the beauty of this small but extremely picturesque planet. People who accidentally look into a telescope and see Saturn there almost immediately begin to wonder if there is a small photograph of a ringed planet hidden in the telescope.
Almost everyone is extremely surprised that such a distant space object can look so crisp and clear in a telescope. The rings of Saturn can be easily viewed in almost any telescope at a magnification of 40x or higher. A medium or large telescope will allow you to see subtle differences in shades different parts disk of the planet.
The most advanced models of telescopes will allow you to see with your own eyes even the thin dark shadow of the rings on the disk of this planet.
During night observations with a stable atmosphere, the city astronomer will be able to view two rings - the outer gray ring “A” and the inner white ring “B”. It will become clear that they are separated by a thin, dark gap known as the Cassini gap. The most attentive observers will likely also be able to see the dark gray "C" ring inside the "B" ring.
After constant observations of Saturn, we can say that the inclination of its rings to the line of sight varies within 26 degrees with a period of about 15 years. At the moment when the inclination is close to zero, the rings temporarily disappear from human vision.
Saturn has many moons, and although most of them are extremely small, Saturn's largest moon, Titan, can always be seen even in urban environments.
Mercury, Uranus and Neptune can be seen even with an amateur telescope, and even in urban environments. The main thing is to know where and how to look. It must be remembered that the small disks of these planets are very similar to stars, which are extremely difficult to see clearly and in detail.
But, unfortunately, it will not be possible to observe Pluto in an urban environment. Moreover, some time ago it was officially excluded from the list of planets of the solar system.
Some of the double and variable stars still make their way through the urban illumination, and become extremely curious objects for the observer. Almost all double stars are simply unique and quite often form beautiful multi-colored pairs. The distance between parts of double stars can be completely different.
One of the most beautiful star pairs is Albireo in the constellation Cygnus. The first component is a golden star of 3rd magnitude, and the second is a sapphire-blue star of 5th magnitude. All this beauty is clearly and brightly visible even in a small telescope
Another example of this kind is the "Double Double" in Lyra. At low magnification, two widely spaced components of approximately equal brightness can be seen. But if you increase the magnification to 100 times, you can see with your own eyes how both stars themselves disintegrate into two, thereby transforming into a fourfold system.
Observing variable stars requires much more patience and endurance from the astronomer. The fact is that different types of variable stars have periods of brightness change, which can range from a couple of hours to several months. A change in the brightness of the star of interest to the user can be seen from neighboring stellar objects that do not have the effect of variability.
In addition, it must be said that changes in the brightness of some stars can be noticed, even despite their small size. Thus, the star Algol in Perseus changes its magnitude from 2.1 to 3.4 every 2.87 days.
Objects of deep space, or as they are also called deep sky objects (from the English deepsky - deep sky), are for the most part extremely difficult to study and observe even in a clear night sky. And in conditions of powerful urban illumination, they simply disappear from view. These difficulties are especially typical for galaxies and nebulae.
Open and globular star clusters are a little better visible. Despite all the difficulties, a lot of interesting and surprising observations can be made here. In such a situation, it should be remembered that the higher the object, the later at night it must be observed.
Here I would advise you to turn your attention to the star cluster Double Cluster in Perseus (? and h Perseus), the Hercules globular cluster (M 13), the Wild Duck cluster in Scutum, the Pleiades in Taurus, M 44 in Cancer, M 52 in Cassiopeia, M 4 and M 6 in Scorpio and M 22 in Sagittarius.
Planetary nebulae, for the most part, are small in size, but at the same time have a relatively high surface brightness. Ideal objects for observation in this case are the Ring nebula (M 57 in Lyra) and the Dumbbell nebula (M 27) in Chanterelle.
We must frankly admit that the choice of galaxies and nebulae for urban observation is extremely limited. Quite often, in order to find an object of interest in the starry sky, you have to set the telescope to the lowest magnification and use peripheral vision or even lightly tap the telescope tube, thereby creating vibration. This original method can work due to the fact that vision responds well to movement.
A certain "vague glow" can be seen at the position of the Andromeda Nebula (M 31), the Whirlpool Galaxy (M 51) and M81, a spiral galaxy in Ursa Major.
Steegle.com - Google Sites Tweet Button
The most accessible diffusion nebulae for observation in urban environments are the Orion (M 42), Lagoon (M 8) and Cygnus (M 17) nebulae in Sagittarius. When observing them, a narrow-band flare suppression filter can be extremely useful. It will increase the contrast of the nebula against the sky.
It is quite obvious that the city sky, even taking into account its extreme light pollution, cannot put an end to fascinating astronomical observations.
Orion Nebula. A very bright and impressive object. To the naked eye, the nebula is perceived as a vague glow; through binoculars it is visible as a bright cloud. By the way, the size of this “cloud” is such that its substance would be enough for about a thousand Suns, or more than three hundred million planets Earth.
Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ
Pleiades star cluster. Located in the constellation Taurus. There are about 1000 stars in the Pleiades, but, of course, not all are visible from Earth. The blue halo around the stars is a nebula in which the star cluster is embedded. The nebula is visible only around the brightest stars of the Pleiades.
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ telescope
Moon. With the naked eye we would only see a glowing crescent moon. Dark spots are lunar seas, light areas are hills. It is the seas and hills that form the “smiling face” on the full Moon.
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 2000 EQ telescope
Lunar surface. The craters are clearly visible. The Soviet lunar rover and the American flag are not visible. To see them, you need a giant telescope with a mirror hundreds of meters in diameter - there is nothing like it on Earth yet.
Photo taken through the BRESSER Messier NT-203 telescope
The Andromeda Galaxy (or nebula)- one of the closest galaxies to us. Close is a relative concept: it is about 2.52 million light years. Because of its distance, we see this galaxy as it was 2.5 million years ago. There were no people on Earth then. It is impossible to know what the Andromeda Galaxy actually looks like now.
And finally...
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ telescope
Learned? Yes it Jupiter! And it can also be seen through a telescope. Like Venus, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, and many other space objects.
The best way to watch the starry sky is outside the city, where there are no lanterns or lighting. Although you can see a lot of interesting things in the city. Any telescope will do for starters, and then you can move on to professional models. Beginners should not buy a telescope on their own; it is better to consult with experienced astronomers. You can catch and question them during the Days of Open Astronomy (DOA), which take place in many cities of Russia (DOA schedule -). These events bring together fans of their craft who can tell you everything and even more about astronomy, and allow you to look through a telescope for free.
What does the word “Like” mean?
How to Improve Your English Written Test Score No more excuses! 3 myths about language learning that are hindering your success Reading during the holidays: books that will “charge” you for the entire 2015 year KLM wishes you a Merry Christmas and invites you to our airline ticket sales!
Orion Nebula. A very bright and impressive object. To the naked eye, the nebula is perceived as a vague glow; through binoculars it is visible as a bright cloud. By the way, the size of this “cloud” is such that its substance would be enough for about a thousand Suns, or more than three hundred million planets Earth.
Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ
Pleiades star cluster. Located in the constellation Taurus. There are about 1000 stars in the Pleiades, but, of course, not all are visible from Earth. The blue halo around the stars is a nebula in which the star cluster is embedded. The nebula is visible only around the brightest stars of the Pleiades.
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ telescope
Moon. With the naked eye we would only see a glowing crescent moon. Dark spots are lunar seas, light areas are hills. It is the seas and hills that form the “smiling face” on the full Moon.
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 2000 EQ telescope
Lunar surface. The craters are clearly visible. The Soviet lunar rover and the American flag are not visible. To see them, you need a giant telescope with a mirror hundreds of meters in diameter - there is nothing like it on Earth yet.
Photo taken through the BRESSER Messier NT-203 telescope
The Andromeda Galaxy (or nebula)- one of the closest galaxies to us. Close is a relative concept: it is about 2.52 million light years. Because of its distance, we see this galaxy as it was 2.5 million years ago. There were no people on Earth then. It is impossible to know what the Andromeda Galaxy actually looks like now.
And finally...
Photo taken through the Levehuk Skyline PRO 1000 EQ telescope
Learned? Yes it Jupiter! And it can also be seen through a telescope. Like Venus, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, and many other space objects.
The best way to watch the starry sky is outside the city, where there are no lanterns or lighting. Although you can see a lot of interesting things in the city. Any telescope will do for starters, and then you can move on to professional models. Beginners should not buy a telescope on their own; it is better to consult with experienced astronomers. You can catch and question them during the Days of Open Astronomy (DOA), which take place in many cities of Russia (DOA schedule -). These events bring together fans of their craft who can tell you everything and even more about astronomy, and allow you to look through a telescope for free.
What does the word “Like” mean?
How to Improve Your English Written Test Score No more excuses! 3 myths about language learning that are hindering your success Reading during the holidays: books that will “charge” you for the entire 2015 year KLM wishes you a Merry Christmas and invites you to our airline ticket sales!
Having considerable experience of night observations with an amateur telescope, I want to shed some light on what you will actually see with a telescope that costs up to 100,000 rubles, which can be transported by car (i.e. not stationary).
Many, having seen enough photographs taken from telescopes, and even from the Hubble telescope, strive to quickly buy a telescope, and then find themselves simply shocked by what they see there.
The reality is that our eye is not able to receive enough light for the image in the telescope to become color and detailed (and in conditions of lack of light we see a poorly detailed black and white image), but the camera matrix can!
Most of what you see in an ordinary telescope will not be colored and of incomprehensible shape, but so that you understand, I will give a few examples!
The photo shows the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888 or Crescent Nebula). On the left is a photo, and on the right is how this object can be seen through a telescope like this: 
And you need to understand that it is quite heavy and the price will be from 50,000 rubles.
Let's move on. Small galaxies in the constellation Virgo (M86 and M84). 
On the right is what is visible through that previous large telescope.
Large galaxy M33 in the constellation Triangulum. 
Pleiades. Through a telescope, they are visible as a cluster of bright stars, and in the photo a dust cloud is clearly visible. 
And this is a globular cluster in the constellation Sagittarius (M22). The photo is on the left, and on the right is what you see. 
Also, a small classification of what can, in principle, be seen in telescopes of different sizes.
What can we see in telescopes of different diameters:
Refractor 60-70 mm, reflector 70-80 mm.
Double stars with separation greater than 2” - Albireo, Mizar, etc...Faint stars up to 11.5m.
Sunspots (with aperture filter only).
Phases of Venus.
There are craters on the Moon with a diameter of 8 km.
Polar ice caps and seas on Mars during the Great Confrontation.
Belts on Jupiter and, under ideal conditions, the Great Red Spot (GRS), four of Jupiter's moons.
The rings of Saturn, the Cassini slit under excellent visibility conditions, the pink belt on the disk of Saturn.
Uranus and Neptune in the form of stars.
Large globular (for example M13) and open clusters.
Almost all Messier catalog objects have no details in them.
Refractor 80-90 mm, reflector 100-120 mm, catadioptric 90-125 mm.
Double stars with a separation of 1.5" or more, faint stars up to 12 magnitude.Sunspot structure, granulation and flare fields (with aperture filter only).
Phases of Mercury.
Lunar Craters are about 5 km in size.
Polar ice caps and seas on Mars during oppositions.
Several additional belts on Jupiter and the BKP. Shadows from Jupiter's satellites on the planet's disk.
The Cassini gap in the rings of Saturn and 4-5 satellites.
Uranus and Neptune as small disks with no details on them.
Dozens of globular clusters, bright globular clusters will break up into stardust at the edges.
Dozens of planetary and diffuse nebulae and all the objects of the Messier catalog.
The brightest objects from the NGC catalog (some details can be discerned in the brightest and largest objects, but galaxies for the most part remain hazy spots without details).
Refractor 100-130 mm, reflector or catadioptric 130-150 mm.
Double stars with a separation of 1" or more, faint stars up to 13 magnitude.Details of the Lunar mountains and craters measuring 3-4 km.
You can try to see spots in the clouds on Venus with a blue filter.
Numerous details on Mars during oppositions.
Details in the belts of Jupiter.
Cloud belts on Saturn.
Many faint asteroids and comets.
Hundreds of star clusters, nebulae and galaxies (traces of a spiral structure can be seen in the brightest galaxies (M33, M51)).
A large number of NGC catalog objects (many objects have interesting details).
Refractor 150-180 mm, reflector or catadioptric 175-200 mm.
Double stars with a separation of less than 1", faint stars up to 14 mag.Lunar formations measuring 2 km.
Clouds and dust storms on Mars.
6-7 satellites of Saturn, you can try to see the disk of Titan.
Spokes in the rings of Saturn at their maximum opening.
Galilean satellites in the form of small disks.
The detail of an image with such apertures is determined not by the capabilities of the optics, but by the state of the atmosphere.
Some globular clusters resolve into stars almost to the very center.
Details of the structure of many nebulae and galaxies are visible when observed from city illumination.
Refractor 200 mm or more, reflector or catadioptric 250 mm or more.
Double stars with a separation of up to 0.5" under ideal conditions, stars up to 15 magnitude and fainter.Lunar formations less than 1.5 km in size.
Small clouds and small structures on Mars, in rare cases Phobos and Deimos.
A large amount of detail in the atmosphere of Jupiter.
Encke division in the rings of Saturn, disk of Titan.
Neptune's moon Triton.
Pluto as a faint star.
The maximum detail of the images is determined by the state of the atmosphere.
Thousands of galaxies, star clusters and nebulae.
Virtually all of the objects in the NGC catalog, many of which show details not visible in smaller telescopes.
The brightest nebulae exhibit subtle colors.
But this should in no way alienate you from astronomy. Later I will explain why it is still worth buying a telescope.