Observing the wonders of the starry sky with your own eyes or photographing them yourself - that's what amateur astronomers dream of. The means to this end is an astronomical telescope. But which of the more than 500 models available in Germany alone is the right one?
This clear and honest guide provides answers to the typical questions that arise before making a purchase decision: Refractor or reflector? Azimuth or equatorial? Portable or permanently installed? The individual types of terrestrial viewing scopes are explained in detail with their advantages and disadvantages, sensible selection criteria are discussed, useful accessories are presented and explained, and how to quickly assess the quality of a terrestrial viewing scope.
The detailed discussion of 100 current telescope, mount and eyepiece models, including all their advantages and disadvantages, is unique. This guide leads you through the jungle of products available in specialist shops and on the Internet. Author Bernd Gährken has been advising customers on telescope selection for years as an employee of Germany's largest astronomy retailer. Ronald Stoyan regularly tests new telescopes for interstellarum magazine.
