Astronomy/.965 or 1.25

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Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 8/7/2007


Question
Hello,
    I have a .965 lense on a cheap reflector telescope.
If I buy an adaptor and install a 1.25 lense,
will I see the difference?  Many websites advise to do this
but is there really an improvement?
JP

Answer
John:

There are several things here to consider.  What do you mean by "cheap"?  How much did it actually cost?  What is the brand name. What is the diameter of the scope?  Is it a 4 inch, 6 inch...?

Generally speaking, a 1.25 will give you a better view, but I would really need to know all of the above things to give you a better idea.

Steve

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Steven LJ Russo

Expertise

As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.

Experience

Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.

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