Comments on: Is there really much of a difference between an 8 inch and 10 inch telescope? http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/ Thu, 17 May 2012 20:56:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: tham153 http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/comment-page-1/#comment-1556 tham153 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:40:54 +0000 http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/#comment-1556 The light gathering power of a telescope depends on the square of the diameter. Thus the two you mention are in the ratio of 64:100 in light gathering. If you can afford it, and have a decent location from which to observe, I would go with the 10 inch. The light gathering power of a telescope depends on the square of the diameter. Thus the two you mention are in the ratio of 64:100 in light gathering.
If you can afford it, and have a decent location from which to observe, I would go with the 10 inch.

]]> By: zahbudar http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/comment-page-1/#comment-1555 zahbudar Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:22:47 +0000 http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/#comment-1555 Well to be quite honest with you, the difference is not in the diameter of the mirror, but in the square inches of surface area that the mirror has for light gathering... An 8 Inch Mirror has a radius of 4 inches. The area of a circle with a radius of 4 inches is Pi x R Squared = 3.14 x 4 x 4 = roughly 50 square inches. A 10 Inch Mirror has a radius of 5 inches. The area of a circle with a radius of 5 inches is Pi x R Squared = 3.14 x 5 x 5 = 78.5 square inches. If you will look at those numbers carefully you will see that the 10 Inch mirror has half again as much light gathering capability (square inches of mirror surface) as the 8 Inch Mirror. That is very significant when it comes to loking at things that are many light years away from you, the observer. Also, you will not have a serious case of aperature fever until you begin dreaming of 22, 24, and 28 Inch mirror models...Then it gets really crazy. do the math and see what giant increases in area of the mirror come along with mirrors that size... for example: a 22 Inch mirror has 37,994 square inches of mirror surface... That is about 700 times the light gathering capability of your 8 incher... Cheers, Zah Well to be quite honest with you, the difference is not in the
diameter of the mirror, but in the square inches of surface area
that the mirror has for light gathering…

An 8 Inch Mirror has a radius of 4 inches. The area of a circle
with a radius of 4 inches is Pi x R Squared = 3.14 x 4 x 4 =
roughly 50 square inches.

A 10 Inch Mirror has a radius of 5 inches. The area of a circle
with a radius of 5 inches is Pi x R Squared = 3.14 x 5 x 5 =
78.5 square inches.

If you will look at those numbers carefully you will see that the 10
Inch mirror has half again as much light gathering capability
(square inches of mirror surface) as the 8 Inch Mirror. That is very
significant when it comes to loking at things that are many light years
away from you, the observer.

Also, you will not have a serious case of aperature fever until you begin dreaming of 22, 24, and 28 Inch mirror models…Then it gets really crazy. do the math and see what giant increases in area of the mirror come along with mirrors that size… for example: a 22 Inch mirror has 37,994 square inches of mirror surface… That is about 700 times the light gathering capability of your 8 incher…

Cheers,
Zah

]]> By: Tina L http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/comment-page-1/#comment-1554 Tina L Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:14:55 +0000 http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/#comment-1554 the best answer may be to have a look and see for yourself. the 10 inch will certainly do better on faint fuzzies. however, it is a larger piece of equipment, and hauling it around will be a different experience. all other things being equal, i'd go for the 10 inch. but i am also physically capable of doing so, and have a vehicle to transport it in. my biggest scope is an 18 inch. i carry it around in my van. it's really cool. the best answer may be to have a look and see for yourself.

the 10 inch will certainly do better on faint fuzzies. however, it is a larger piece of equipment, and hauling it around will be a different experience.

all other things being equal, i’d go for the 10 inch. but i am also physically capable of doing so, and have a vehicle to transport it in. my biggest scope is an 18 inch. i carry it around in my van. it’s really cool.

]]> By: Lainey http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/comment-page-1/#comment-1553 Lainey Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:35:04 +0000 http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/#comment-1553 No there is not a huge difference. You should save some more if you want to upgrade and make it worth while. No there is not a huge difference. You should save some more if you want to upgrade and make it worth while.

]]> By: The Lazy Astronomer http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/comment-page-1/#comment-1552 The Lazy Astronomer Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:29:06 +0000 http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/#comment-1552 Yes - its a big difference. It's all about aperture area (light gathering ability). I found the biggest leap was 6" to 8" and the differences get smaller as size increases but 8" to 10" is still a big leap, particularly if you want to view diffuse objects. I jumped 8" to 10" then to 14" for my asteroid work. Yes - its a big difference. It’s all about aperture area (light gathering ability). I found the biggest leap was 6″ to 8″ and the differences get smaller as size increases but 8″ to 10″ is still a big leap, particularly if you want to view diffuse objects.

I jumped 8″ to 10″ then to 14″ for my asteroid work.

]]> By: physicsguy89 http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/comment-page-1/#comment-1551 physicsguy89 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 06:53:43 +0000 http://www.telescopebuyingguide.com/blog/is-there-really-much-of-a-difference-between-an-8-inch-and-10-inch-telescope/#comment-1551 youll get a better image with a 10 inch, but theres not too big of a difference i prefer the hubble youll get a better image with a 10 inch, but theres not too big of a difference

i prefer the hubble

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