Hobbies And Interests
Refracting Telescope
The refracting telescope, or refractor, is the original telescope. Invented in the 17th century, it remains popular, especially with beginners. Refractors produce images that are generally superior in quality to those of reflecting telescopes. On the other hand they are more expensive, because their objective lenses have four-to-six optical surfaces, compared with just two for Newtonians and three for catadioptrics. Refractor optical tube assemblies are relatively heavy and, therefore, require heavier and more expensive mounts. Refractors suffer in varying degrees from chromatic aberration, or false color, an effect that is completely eliminated only in high-end models. Meade offers a range of refractors with apertures up to seven inches, including fully computerized models.
Newtonian Reflecting Telescope
The Newtonian telescope is an ideal choice for many beginners because it represents an excellent balance between the competing factors. Newtonian optics are relatively simple to manufacture. Newtonians offer generous aperture and sharp images, and a sophisticated German equatorial mount that features either manual or computerized tracking, all in a reasonably priced package.
A disadvantage of Newtonians is the long optical tube. Newtonians with apertures more than eight inches can be difficult to use and transport. Meade offers Newtonians with apertures up to 16 inches, including computerized models. Also offered is a short-tube variant, the Schmidt-Newtonian, with apertures up to 10 inches.
Dobsonian Telescope
Dobsonian telescopes, otherwise known as Dobs or light buckets, combine a Newtonian optical tube assembly and a simple mount invented by John Dobson. They offer the largest aperture per dollar of any telescope design and are easy to use and transport in apertures less than 10 inches. Dobsonians are highly popular among amateur astronomers who are interested principally in deep-space phenomena, and who insist on "the biggest bang for the buck." The main drawback of the Dob is that the mount lacks the sophistication required for locating and tracking objects. Many Dob owners become unsatisfied with the mount and eventually upgrade their scopes with computerized locating and tracking hardware. Meade offers Dobsonians with apertures up to 16 inches.
Catadioptric Telescope
Catadioptric telescopes are the choice of most serious amateur astronomers. These telescopes use optical systems consisting of two curved mirrors and a correcting lens, or plate. Most are equipped with a fork-type mount or German equatorial mount. The major advantage of catadioptric scopes, one that cannot be overstated, is the compactness afforded by their "folded optics." Their short optical tubes permit the handling and transport of large aperture models with relative ease. The two catadioptric designs most commonly used by amateurs are the Schmidt-Cassegrain and the Maksutov-Cassegrain, or Mak. The Mak, the more expensive of the two, is renowned for its sharp, high-contrast imagery. Catadioptric scopes offer perhaps the best balance of aperture and image quality, portability and ease of use, functionality, and cost. Meade offers Schmidt-Cassegrains with apertures up to 16 inches, including fully-computerized models, and fully-computerized Maks with apertures up to 20 inches.