Tasco Spacestation Telescope 114x500mm Black Reflector ?
I always heard that the telescopes that say they have huge magnification usually are junk. My friend purchased this scope about a month ago and I went and used it last night and it was surprisingly great! I had great views of Jupiter and Saturn. IT was very amazing. So why is that? I thought scopes that advertise high magnification are trash. Why was this scope so amazing?
Connor -
If you are limiting your observation to Jupiter and Saturn, then you could probably use the equivalent of Galileo's scope and at least see those planets. You may have been able to see one of Saturn's moons and its rings, and the 4 Galilean moons (so named because Galileo discovered them with his scope, which was about 1/3 the size of the one you are describing).
I am gratified that you enjoyed this experience. However, if you ever want to expand your observing to objects like nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies, you will find it increasingly difficult to do so with this scope, which is essentially a toy. You will also find that the image quality and level of detail that you can see in a better scope represents a noticeable improvement. Finally, it will be much easier to keep the target in the field of view with a better scope.
Most of these criteria are only obvious when you make an objective comparison. It's like driving an old, rusty go kart. If that is the only vehicle that you have ever driven, then it will seem like a great deal. After all, it moves when you push on the gas pedal. It is only when you step out of the go kart and try out a Mercedes or a Cadillac that you will notice the difference.
Mars taken through 114mm Tasco Telescope
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£12.99
