What is a Spotting Scope?

A spotting scope is like a portable telescope that allows the user to view land objects as well as objects in the night sky. A spotting scope usually has a lower magnification, a wider field of view, is easily portable, field-durable. Celestron's spotting scopes are built sturdy and made to last for many years for the enjoyment of the user.

There are important factors to consider when purchasing a spotting scope, such as what will it be primarly used for sailing, bird watching, hunting, or astronomy viewing? Taking a look at these following factors can help the user decide which one is right for them:

• Diameter Of Objective Lens: A spotting scope produces an upright image, much like a telescope, and gathers all incoming light. Remember, the larger the diameter of the lens, the more light the spotting scope gathers and will produce an image in greater detail.
• Magnification: The power of a spotting scope is the degree in which an object is be viewed at is enlarged.
• Field Of View: This refers to the size an area measured in degrees, that can be seen while viewing through the spotting scope. The larger a field of view translates into a larger area seen through the spotting scope.
• Exit Pupil: The diameter of the beam of light that leaves the eyepiece of the spotting scope.
• Eye Relief: The shortest distance between the eyepiece of the spotting scope and the user's eye that allows the user to see the entire field of view.
• Portability: For applications such as hiking and hunting, portability is an important factor. For stationary viewing, a large diameter objective lens is important.
• Versatility: Nearly all of Celestron spotting scopes can be used in the following ways: three different ways: (1). As a telephoto lens when attached to a 35mm SLR camera, (2). For terrestrial observing , and (3). As a telescope.

If I want to use it for astronomy, what spotting scope is best?

Celestron offers many different types of spotting scopes for many different uses, for astronomy, their Mak line of spotting scopes is great to view the moon, stars and other objects in the night sky. The Mak line features Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design and is very portable and has many different applications for usage.

For the serious amatuer astronomer Celestron offers the 80ED Refactor spotting scope, this spotting scope has an apterure of 80 mm and a maginication of 24 x. The 80ED Refactor offers the user color correction and sharp images for bird watching or for viewing of the moon and other planets.This spotting scope makes an excellent choice for the stargazer for astrophotography.

Celestron manufactures over 20 different types of spotting scopes and they have a spotting scope to fit every line of outdoor use.

 

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