The Hubble telescope is responsible for 25% of the images of space used in scientific research papers. But it’s not the only way to get a glimpse of the cosmos. If you’re looking for your own way to gaze at the stars, you might want to invest in a personal telescope.
But how do you know where to start? There are so many different kinds of telescopes that it can be difficult to know which is the right kind for you.
We’ll walk you through a refractor vs reflector telescope, two of the most common and popular types of telescopes for beginners. Then you can make your own informed choice about which you want to use to watch the night sky!
What Is a Refractor Telescope?
Refractor telescopes have the classic tube that’s narrower at one end and then widens at the end with the lens. This type of telescope uses a lens system in order to capture light.
These were also the first type of telescope, invented all the way back in the 1600s. Over the past few decades, technological advancements have helped improve these telescopes while keeping the price down. The lenses have improved so the tubes can be shorter, and materials are now lighter.
What Is a Reflector Telescope?
Reflector telescopes were first invented by Isaac Newton in the 1600s, and so they are sometimes referred to as “Newtonian telescopes.” Rather than using a system of lenses, reflector telescopes use a system of mirrors.
The telescope collects light, which hits a mirror at the bottom of the telescope. This reflects the light back up into the eyepiece. Because of the reflection patterns, the eyepieces for these telescopes tend to be on the side rather than the end.
Refractor vs Reflector Telescope
Both types of telescopes have their pros and cons, so it’s useful to compare them side by side to figure out which will be the best choice for you.
Refractor telescopes tend to be some of the easiest telescopes to use, and they’re usually portable and lightweight. They also tend to require very little maintenance. On the other hand, some cheaper models can suffer from image distortion, and some need time to adjust to temperature changes.
Reflector telescopes generally perform better, although they can be more expensive. They also provide wide fields of view, and they’re much less likely to suffer from any image distortion. But these telescopes can be big and heavy, difficult to store, and they can sometimes require tricky maintenance because of the mirrors inside.
If you still need more details about the differences to help you make your decision, check out this article about a refractor vs reflector telescope.
Get the Best View of the Stars
With the right telescope, it can feel like space is so close you can touch it. Hopefully with our guide on a refractor vs reflector telescope, you’re one step closer to finding the telescope that will help all your astronomy dreams come true.
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