Gear – Telescope Boss

Is Night Vision Astronomy Worth It? It Was For Me

I bought my night vision tube in 2021 to use with my 16 inch Dobsonian telescope. I use it several times a month for outreach events and for stunning handheld smartphone astrophotography. Night vision astronomy is worth the investment. Personal observers will find new objects and see old objects in a whole new way. If…

What Can You See with Binoculars?

In this article we’ll find out what you can expect to see through binoculars, discuss their pros and cons, and look at some different types of binoculars for stargazing. Experienced astronomers often recommend them to newcomers in lieu of a cheap telescope. There are several reasons for this: Binoculars are useful but underappreciated tools for…

$80mm Refractor on EQ Mount Outside$

What Can You See with an 80mm Refractor?

Refractors are popular telescopes, with lower maintenance and less cool-down time compared to reflectors. Their clear apertures also provide high-contrast views, especially when they are made with extra-low dispersion (ED) glass. But in apertures greater than 100mm they can be expensive. The 80mm refractor is a good in-between size. It will work well on the…

Cat's Eye Nebula blurry from over magnification

How Much Magnification Can I Get with My Telescope?

Magnification is an important part of astronomy, but perhaps not as important as you think. Telescopes are magnifying instruments, so beginners tend to make this one of the top criteria when shopping for a telescope. But high magnification, say upwards of 300x, is only useful on certain objects, and under the right conditions. A typical…

Antares 511AZ: The Ideal Beginner’s Telescope?

One of the questions I hear the most in astronomy groups is, “Which is the best beginner’s telescope?” There are many options in the category, but few worth buying. In this article, we’ll look at a promising new model from Antares: the 511AZ reflector. Specifications Aperture: 114mm Focal length: 500mm Focal ratio: f4.4 Price: Khan…

Cityscape with Green Laser Pointing to Sky, Green Laser Pointer for Astronomy

Are Laser Pointers Useful for Astronomy?

A green laser pointer can be a useful tool for astronomy. However, they can also be annoying, dangerous, and even illegal in some jurisdictions. In this article, we’ll look at the common uses for laser pointers in astronomy and the potential risks of using one. Why Use a Green Laser Pointer? The main use for…

What Does Vignetting Mean?

Of all the different facets of amateur astronomy, the science of optics can be the most perplexing. There is no perfect optical system, and when you combine the various lenses and mirrors involved in a telescope kit, optical aberrations will occur. One such aberration is called vignetting. Vignetting is a simple concept but can have…

Is it Worth Upgrading Your Eyepieces? (Are Expensive Eyepieces Worth It?)

What’s So Special About Eyepieces? Everyone loves eyepieces. Telescopes are neat and all, but visual astronomers really go crazy for eyepieces. They’re shiny, they’re collectible, and there are a ton to choose from. Eyepieces are necessary components for astronomy. By switching between eyepieces of different focal lengths, you can achieve different magnifications through your telescope. …

Fully Coated Vs. Multicoated Eyepieces: What’s the Difference?

When shopping for telescope eyepieces, you will often come across terms like “fully coated”, “multicoated”, or “fully multicoated”. In this article we will discover why optical lenses are coated, discuss how they work, and examine the differences between types of coatings. What Are Eyepiece Coatings? The light which is reflected does not pass through the…

Are Telescopes Waterproof: Can telescopes get wet?

Telescopes are meant to be used outside, they are pretty hardy against the elements. The optical tube, base, mirrors and lenses are not damaged by being wet for a short period of time. However, any electrical or wood components should be strictly kept dry to avoid damage that may not be able to be repaired….