Highlights from "Telescope Essentials: Your Guide to Choosing and Using"

Choosing your first telescope can feel like a daunting task - almost a dark art. Yet, unlocking the cosmos is a journey every amateur astronomer must face at some point. As Obi-Wan Kenobi might say, "This is the workshop you’ve been looking for."

The evening kicked off with Mike presenting part one of the workshop. He began by demystifying the different types of telescopes, explaining how they gather light and the various ways it reaches your eye. Attendees also learned how to calculate magnification and field of view... essential knowledge for any budding astronomer. These key points, along with much more, are available in the accompanying video. 😊

After the first part of the presentation, attendees gathered at the back of the hall, where nine telescopes were on display. Each telescope was accompanied by its owner, who explained its type, what you could expect to see through it, and of course, its price. This hands-on session proved to be incredibly popular. A big thank you to Tej, Clive, Matt, Les, Tim, Tony, Adrian, and Mike for guiding attendees through their equipment and answering the many excellent questions posed during this interactive segment.

Following this engaging break, Mike resumed with part two of the presentation, diving into the practicalities of choosing the right telescope. As he explained, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you’re keen to observe solar system objects or delve into deep-sky wonders, your choice of telescope depends on what you most want to explore. Many attendees related to Mike’s point that beginners often assume a telescope capable of deep-sky observation would automatically excel at solar system viewing - a misconception Mike deftly addressed.

For anyone who missed it, the video of the evening is available HERE, providing an easy-to-understand breakdown of telescope fundamentals.

Ultimately, Mike offered some invaluable advice: attend an observing event with your local astronomy society, look through different types of telescopes, talk to experienced members, and carefully consider what you want to observe. Most importantly, choose a telescope that you’ll consistently use rather than one that gathers dust under the stairs.

Thanks again to everyone who attended and made the evening such a success!