An 8-inch telescope can now record 15th- or even 16th-magnitude stars in the worst city light pollution or moonlight. This is several times fainter than the same telescope can show stars to the eye under black, mountaintop conditions!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=1XujlYdjFZY
Is a telescope worth it in the city?
Totally! Obviously you’ll be limited to brighter objects, but there’s still lots to see out there. You can get light pollution filters that can help. That being said, know what you want to look at before you buy, and don’t be afraid of taking excursions out of city limits to do some stargazing.
Can you see planets with a telescope in a city?
Planets are easily observed with urban telescopes. If you’ve ever seen them in the night sky, you probably noticed that Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are all quite bright. We love the simplicity of an alt-azimuth refractor or Maksutov scope for planetary tasks.
Can you use a telescope anywhere?
Some locations are better than others for stargazing, but you can still do it basically anywhere—from your window, balcony, backyard, local park, or somewhere a bit more remote.
Do telescopes work in light polluted areas?
Telescopes – Several planets and the Moon are bright enough that they can be seen using any one of Celestron’s telescopes, even under extreme light pollution.
What can you realistically see with a telescope?
Here are my top 6 objects I love to look at
- Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) My all-time favourite object to see through a telescope!
- The Jewel Box (NGC 4755) Rather than a globular cluster of stars, the Jewel Box is classed as an open cluster.
- The Moon.
- Saturn.
- Sombrero Galaxy (Messier 104)
- Eta Carinae Nebula (NGC 3372)
Can I use my telescope in cold weather?
Cold is actually going to be good, simply because cold air is dry and therefore more transparent. However, you will want to let the telescope sit outside, with the lens cap off, for at least 30 minutes to an hour before using it.
Can you use telescope in daytime?
A telescope can be used during the day, but it will not be as effective as it is at night. If you are expecting to observe the stars and other celestial objects as you would at night, you are likely to be disappointed.
Is it illegal to have a telescope?
There are no direct limits on private telescope ownership in the U.S. If you use one to view scenes inside a dwelling, business, or military installation, you may be violating privacy or espionage laws.
Can you use a telescope in your backyard?
Telescope. A moderately sized and priced telescope — such as a no-frills 6- or 8-inch reflector that’s Dobsonian-mounted — will suit a backyard astronomer just fine. They’re easy to set up and use, and can capture enough deep-sky objects to keep you busy for a lifetime.
Can you see the planets in the city?
A darker sky means more stars
There are many more faint stars in the sky than bright ones, and only the brightest stars and planets are brilliant enough to see in bright, urban skies. The reason for this is light pollution – stray light from urban areas scattered into the night sky.
Can I use my telescope through a window?
Also, it’s not strictly advisable to use a telescope to observe through a window, because the quality of what you will see will be very poor, as the glass can distort the view through the eyepiece. Similarly, opening a window can cause air turbulence around the telescope, which will also distort your view.
Can the public use an observatory?
Many observatories around the world are at least partially accessible to the public, with some, such as McDonald Observatory in West Texas, even allowing regular public access to some of their research telescopes. Check out our list of publically accessible telescopes for more information.
Can I stargaze in a city?
Stargazing experiences are beautiful, even for city dwellers. Irrespective of how much light-polluted a city is, it cannot drown out the brighter stars, planets, and DSOs. While some of the fainter deep-sky objects are out of reach, amateur astronomers can still enjoy these 111 wonders!
Can you use a telescope on a cloudy day?
Telescopes work wonderfully but can they really see through clouds?! Of course not! Although surprisingly, there are probably a few people who honestly believe that a telescope is capable of revealing objects otherwise masked by cloud cover.
How can I see stars at night in the city?
Find the right spot
Before you go, plan ahead and choose a clear, cloudless evening. Winter evenings tend to be better, because city heat in the summer generates humidity and haze. Moonless nights also work better for seeing the stars, although gazing at a full Moon can be an enjoyable experience in itself.
Is it worth buying a cheap telescope?
Most telescopes that cost less than $150 will have low optical quality and aren’t really worth it. We suggest getting good binoculars instead. Stay away from any telescope advertised for its magnifying power. A telescope’s most important attribute is its size, meaning the diameter of its main mirror or lens.
Is it worth to get a telescope?
Seeing the moon through a telescope gives the moon a three dimensional quality that you don’t get by just looking up. Seeing details in craters and watching how their shadows change as the moon goes through it’s phases gives you a better sense of how it relates to the earth and sun.
Do you wear glasses when looking through a telescope?
You should wear glasses for all low-power observing, but you can probably get away with taking them off when you are examining the Moon, planets, or anything else at high magnification.
Can you keep a telescope in a garage?
If you can, store your telescope in a dust and dirt-free environment. A garage or garden shed may be practical, but not necessarily the best for your scope. An indoor cupboard that can be kept clean is the best option. Even with the lens cap on, dust within the scope can fall down.
How do you stargaze when its cold?
Winter Stargazing Tips: Stay Warm and Cozy!
- Layers are your friend! You may already know this, but remember to wear multiple layers of clothes!
- Warm, wool socks.
- Waterproof boots.
- Clear out your observing area.
- Blankets.
- Gloves.
- Heat pads.
- A big goofy hat and earmuffs.