Since the beginning of modern astronomy, scientists have greatly improved in building high powered Telescopes. The modern Telescope’s earliest history can be linked back to the 16th century Netherlands. Modern day telescopes come in different types, sizes and shapes. The price of a telescope is varies according to the functions it performs. Astronomers generally place telescopes into one of two main categories. They are refractive telescopes and reflective telescopes.

As the name suggests, refractive telescopes constitute a lens which gathers the beam of light and converge it on the surface of the mirror. On the other side of the spectrum, reflective telescopes disperse the beam of light that is spread across the surface of the mirror. Besides these two major types, there is also a pretty well known type, called a compound telescope. This type is actually a combination of the qualities of the reflective telescopes and the refractive telescopes. Combining these qualities may not necessarily mean that a compound telescope will be more effective. Each type of telescope has its good and bad points.

One typically thinks of refractive devices when considering telescopes. These have the far end open, and then slant towards the opposite, concealed end. Most people are very familiar with the appearance of this type, since it’s often pictured in text books and similar places. This type can easily be found at any nearby store. The refractive telescope is advantageous because it takes little effort to maintain it. The tube is closed from both the ends which mean that the glass surface inside the telescope is protected from the outside environment such as heat, dust and winds. The biggest problem with the item is the characteristic defect known as “chromatic aberration” - in effect, the light creates a rainbow of colors around an image. That partially explains why refractive telescopes cannot view distant objects well, since the mirror may produce a dark image surrounded by a light spectrum.

On the contrary, reflective telescopes are more suitable to observe distant plants and galaxies. These are the giant machines that we see in famous astronomical laboratories around the world. Because of the advantages of the reflective surface, this type is now available for use in homes and smaller labs. Usually, a reflective telescope acts a light bucket where it traps the beam of oncoming light. It is possible for viewers to make the object look bigger than their normal size by adjusting the objective mirror at the end from the trapped beam. The main disadvantage is to maintain the telescope as the mirror and related material is exposed to the outside environment. Maintenance cost of smaller telescopes is not factor that influence most viewers to use their telescopes compared to the huge advantages of using the telescope.

Individuals who are interested in starting the hobby can purchase commercial models of the compound telescope, which is a good starting point. It combines the qualities of the refractor and reflector to provide a better magnification and view. Knowing that, astronomers that are more advanced usually do not use compound telescopes. Apart form the above types, there are more advanced versions including radio and x-ray telescopes, among others.

Beginners should look for a professional telescope outlet and get expert professional advice before purchasing. Familiarize yourself with the local stores that carry telescopes. If you buy your first telescope locally, beware of low quality. Due to large scale production of telescopes, inferior quality materials are used which may cause a significant risk of malfunction. A professional outlet always provides warranty and guarantees to fix any problems. The cost of a beginner telescope varies from two hundred to twenty five hundred dollars. Because of this, look for telescopes in the over $400 range.

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