{"id":29352,"date":"2022-02-09T08:40:35","date_gmt":"2022-02-09T08:40:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/?p=104444"},"modified":"2022-02-09T08:52:17","modified_gmt":"2022-02-09T08:52:17","slug":"what-the-universe-really-looks-like-through-a-telescope","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/what-the-universe-really-looks-like-through-a-telescope\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Universe really looks like through a telescope"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Will Gater\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 09 February 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

There\u2019s a key moment in stargazing, after you\u2019ve set up your kit and honed in on a target, when you first lean in to the eyepiece<\/a> to take in the view.<\/p>\n

For experienced observers this can be the point where you set eyes on an old celestial friend, but for beginners it can be a challenge <\/span>to expectations.<\/p>\n

Often the glittery renditions of astronomical objects viewed online and in print meet the reality of a view through an actual telescope.<\/p>\n

For more advice, read our guide to telescope stats<\/a>, our best beginners\u2019 telescopes<\/a> or how to choose your first telescope<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\""The\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Elephant\u2019s Trunk Nebula captured by Jason Brown using a Canon 6D DSLR, William Optics Zenith Star 73II refractor, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mount. How do images like these compare with the reality of looking through a telescope?<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

This difference between the visual appearance of celestial phenomena and astrophotography<\/a>, even when using fairly large aperture telescopes, is probably one of the biggest learning experiences for anyone starting out.<\/p>\n

So, what does a star look like through a telescope? What does a planet look like through a telescope?<\/p>\n

Here we\u2019ll explore a selection of night-sky sights to give newcomers an idea of what to expect when you glimpse them for the first time.<\/p>\n

None of this means visual observing is any less interesting; we hope, instead, that our descriptions <\/span>here will help inspire a sense of reality to ensure those early observing memories are full of wonder.<\/p>\n

Keep up to date with what\u2019s visible in the night sky by signing up to receive the BBC Sky at Night Magazine e-newsletter<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Milky Way and stars<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\""An\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
An astrophoto of the Milky Way (left) compared to a typical naked eye view from a dark sky site (right). Credit: Will Gater<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

A view of the misty light of our Galaxy from a dark-sky site can be one of the most profound and awe-inspiring sights for any beginner to stargazing, especially in the UK summer months when part of the core of the Milky Way<\/a> sits over the southern horizon.<\/p>\n

But the Milky Way is one astronomical sight where there\u2019s a stark difference between highly processed pictures and how it actually looks to the eye through a telescope.<\/p>\n

Nightscape astrophotography containing the Milky Way often shows a billowing band of bright, almost dazzling, light stretching across the sky, sometimes accompanied by prominent flourishes of colour where glowing star-forming nebulae<\/a> sit.<\/p>\n

\""The\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Milky Way over a lake near Mount Sabalan, Iran, 12 August 2021, by Parisa Bajelan. Equipment: Canon 6D DSLR, 16-35 Canon lens<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

However, to the naked-eye under a suburban sky, even perceiving the soft light of our Galaxy can be challenging, since even a modest amount of background light pollution is enough to hide its faint glow.<\/p>\n

On nights when the air is particularly clear, when the <\/span>atmospheric \u2018transparency\u2019 is excellent, it\u2019s certainly possible to see the brighter patches of Milky Way star fields \u2013 such as those that sit in Cygnus<\/a> or Scutum \u2013 from suburban areas.<\/p>\n

Under these conditions the Galaxy\u2019s star fields tend to appear as diffuse swathes of light sitting within the overall suburban skyglow, and they\u2019re subtle enough that they can sometimes be confused with patches of thin cloud.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""Milky\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Milky Way panorama by S\u00e9rgio Concei\u00e7\u00e3o, Barrancos, Portugal, 23 May 2020. Equipment: Canon EOS R mirrorless camera<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

To get a sense of the Milky Way as an obvious band of light across the sky requires somewhat darker locations.<\/p>\n

Under the inkiest-black skies the band of the Galaxy still appears as a greyish glow, but the soft forms of its numerous star fields appear far more structured and the many dark dust lanes weaving through them are clear to see.<\/p>\n

Still, don\u2019t expect to see the grainy mass of light, rich in colour and contrast typically seen in photos.<\/p>\n

Read our guide on how to see the Milky Way<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Moon<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\""This\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
This is how large the Moon\u2019s disc appears in the field of a 150mm scope, 15mm eyepiece and 2x Barlow lens. Credit: Will Gater<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The Moon doesn\u2019t really suffer too much from a visual observing \u2018expectation gap\u2019 like faint deep-sky objects do. It\u2019s impressive even when seen through basic telescopes.<\/p>\n

But if astro images are your main reference points for what its surface features look like through a scope, do bear in mind that these usually show a level of fine detail that won\u2019t be visible to the eye.<\/p>\n

Amateur imagery of the Moon is often captured using high frame-rate cameras.<\/p>\n

\""Mineral\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Mineral Moon by Neil Corke, Moraira, Spain, 22 July 2021. Equipment: ZWO ASI2600MM camera, Williams Optics FLT132 apo refractor, Paramount MX mount<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

These are used specifically to overcome one of the things that pretty much defines the lunar visual observing experience: the undulating of the atmosphere.<\/p>\n

The cameras capture thousands of frames, which are analysed so that the sharpest data can be extracted.<\/p>\n

Our eyes don\u2019t have this luxury, of course, so at the eyepiece you\u2019ll see the Moon\u2019s surface gently wobbling as its light is distorted \u2013 only in very brief moments will finer details become visible.<\/p>\n

Not only that, but camera data is typically heavily processed on top of this.<\/p>\n

\""An\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
An image of Sinus Iridum, the \u2018Bay or Rainbows\u2019 (left), vs a sketch (right) of what you would see through the eyepiece. Credit: Will Gater<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

This means that at the eyepiece, the views of craters and mountains and the like are often softer and more subtle than sharpened photos might suggest they would be.<\/p>\n

Through a small telescope at low magnification you\u2019ll usually be able to see the whole, or at least much of, the lunar disc in the eyepiece.<\/p>\n

As you up the magnification you\u2019ll be able to get a \u2018closer-in\u2019 view of features like craters, mountains and rilles.<\/p>\n

\""Clavius\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Clavius is a wonderfully rugged moon crater, ripe for observing with a telescope. Credit: Pete Lawrence<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

But be warned that doing this isn\u2019t like zooming in on a phone screen, where the image largely retains the brightness and clarity of the wide view.<\/p>\n

Increasing a telescope\u2019s magnification will make the overall view fainter, and if seeing conditions are poor you may not actually see that much more detail, as it\u2019ll be overwhelmed by the blurring of the turbulent atmosphere.<\/p>\n

For help with getting to know our lunar companion, read our guide on how to observe the Moon<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Planets<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\""Jupiter,\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Jupiter through a 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain. Credit: Rouzbeh Bidshahri<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Your first sighting of a bright planet \u2013 Mars<\/a>, Jupiter<\/a>, Saturn<\/a>, even Venus<\/a> when it\u2019s in a dark, night-time sky \u2013 in a telescope eyepiece can be a very special thing.<\/p>\n

But, as with observing the Moon, prepare for a dynamic visual experience that will require patience and careful observation to make the most of the moments of good seeing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\""Mars\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Mars photographed by Luke Oliver, Bedford, 26 September 2020. Equipment: ZWO AI 178MM camera, Sky-Watcher Skyliner 400P Dobsonian<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Though all four of the above mentioned worlds are captivating through a telescope of around, say, 150mm in aperture, their angular diameters \u2013 that is the size they appear to be through the telescope\u2019s optics \u2013 will be fairly small.<\/p>\n

And, again, just like when observing the Moon, using a very high-power eyepiece won\u2019t necessarily give you a better view of the details on the planets.<\/p>\n

A medium level magnification is usually a better bet in most cases, rather than the shortest focal length eyepiece you have in your kit box.<\/p>\n

\""An\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
An eyepiece view of Jupiter through a small telescope shows the planet with its Galilean moons.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Trained on Jupiter, a telescope with a 150mm aperture will show the main equatorial bands and indications of some of the subtler atmospheric details, as well as the Great Red Spot<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A similar setup will show the rings of Saturn<\/a> and potentially hints of the soft banding on the planet.<\/p>\n

Good seeing will also reveal the larger structures in the rings, namely the Cassini Division, the dark <\/span>band located between the A and B rings.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Mars at opposition<\/a> will be a small ochre disc, but careful observation will show the more prominent, dark, so-called \u2018albedo\u2019 features, such as the famous Syrtis Major \u2013 which appears as a vaguely triangular dark-brown patch near the middle of the Red Planet\u2019s disc \u2013 and, possibly, one of the polar caps.<\/p>\n

Read our guide on how to see the planets this year<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Star clusters<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\""M13\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
M13 by Vandewattyne, Belgium. Equipment: CFF Newton 200 F5, Avalon Linear, EOS 450D.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The myriad star clusters<\/a> scattered across the night sky can provide hours of enjoyment at the eyepiece.<\/p>\n

Dazzling open star clusters<\/a> like the Pleiades<\/a> can take your breath away through a small scope at a dark-sky site.<\/p>\n

Even under suburban skies, the Pleiades appear as a mass of brilliant blueish-white points of light in a low power eyepiece \u2013 that\u2019s one providing a low level of magnification.<\/p>\n

One thing to remember when observing open clusters or selecting ones to view is that their individual members are affected by light pollution.<\/p>\n

If you have particularly bad skyglow where you are, any faint members will be hidden and this will reduce the cluster\u2019s overall impact.<\/p>\n

\""Illustration\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Illustration showing the view of M13 through a small telescope\u2019s eyepiece. Credit: Will Gater<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

In addition to open star clusters, the night skies also contain what are known as globular clusters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These are densely-packed spheroidal groups of stars that orbit around the disc of our galaxy.<\/p>\n

The fainter ones can sometimes be hard to spot with a small scope and many just look like a fuzzy patch of grey light.<\/p>\n

In medium- to large-aperture instruments, however, you begin to see that the patch is in fact a granular mass of countless stars.<\/p>\n

The bright ones can be utterly enthralling to take in through a big scope.<\/p>\n

Good \u2018starter\u2019 globulars that are well worth hunting down with a small scope at this time of year include the magnificent M13 cluster \u2013 the Hercules Globular Cluster<\/a> \u2013 as well as M92 and M5.<\/p>\n

Discover our top star clusters to see with the naked eye<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Galaxies<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\""A\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A cropped image of M31 taken with the AA24CFX camera and a Sky-Watcher Esprit 150ED refractor, using 3 hours of 10\u2019 and 15\u2019 exposures. Credit: Tim Jardine<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Perhaps the most challenging of all celestial objects for a beginner to observe with a small telescope are galaxies<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Though you won\u2019t find any shortage of them listed in observing atlases and apps, do be prepared for the fact that most of these vast, stellar gatherings will look like faint smudges or spots of grey light in a small telescope.<\/p>\n

They are a far cry from the glittering swirls one might envisage based on the images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That being said, there are some brighter galaxies that show interesting details at the eyepiece of a small scope.<\/p>\n

\""A\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A simulation of the view of the Andromeda Galaxy through the eyepiece of a small telescope. Credit: Will Gater<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The iconic Andromeda Galaxy<\/a>, M31, looks like a diffuse ellipse of light crossed by dark dust lanes, and you\u2019ll also be able to spot its two main satellite galaxies M110 and M32.<\/p>\n

In Ursa Major the pairing of Bode\u2019s Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy<\/a>, with their contrasting oval and narrow ellipse shapes, are fun to hunt down.<\/p>\n

And if your scope is on the larger side, the face-on spiral of M51 \u2013 the Whirlpool Galaxy<\/a> \u2013 in Canes Venatici<\/a>, can be an interesting object to locate from a site with dark skies.<\/p>\n

Read our guide on how to see the Andromeda Galaxy<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Nebulae<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Emission nebulae<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\""The\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Orion Nebula by Ben Brotherton, Herefordshire, 2 November 2021. Equipment: ZWO ASI533MC camera, Sky-Watcher 8-inch Newtonian, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mount<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The image of the Orion Nebula<\/a>, M42, shown here is fairly typical of how this spectacular object \u2013 a glowing cloud of gas with an embedded, nascent, star cluster \u2013 and others like it are revealed in long-exposure astrophotography.<\/p>\n

The vast swathes of hydrogen that make up the bright so-called \u2018emission\u2019 nebula shine <\/span>with vibrant shades of pink and red, while the darker regions harbour subtle dust clouds with swirling filament-like forms.<\/p>\n

Though these kinds of pictures of star-forming nebulae are ubiquitous in the world <\/span>of imaging, they are nonetheless taken with cameras that are far more capable of detecting and collecting celestial light than our eyes, and so the visual impression <\/span>of these objects in a small- to medium-aperture telescope is markedly different.<\/p>\n

\""A\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A simulation showing how the Orion Nebula appears through the eyepiece of a small telescope. Credit: Will Gater<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

With some of the northern sky\u2019s most famous bright nebulae, from a site with relatively dark skies <\/span>like the Orion Nebula and the Lagoon Nebula<\/a>, you will be able to detect the soft glow of the nebulae around their embedded star clusters.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the case of M42 it\u2019s possible to see some of the brighter structures surrounding the Trapezium Cluster in a small telescope (see the eyepiece sketch above), but there will be no dazzling colours. <\/span><\/p>\n

Brightness and detail-wise, things improve if you use a larger aperture instrument and, perhaps, a light-pollution suppression or contrast-enhancing filter.<\/p>\n

In the largest instruments \u2013 think huge Dobsonian light buckets \u2013 M42 and the Lagoon Nebula can reveal breathtaking structure, and you\u2019ll start to see more details in some of the fainter emission nebulae too.<\/p>\n

But, again, the reds and pinks of astrophotos will not be there. At most, in our experience, you might detect a slight hint of a mint-green hue.<\/p>\n

Planetary Nebulae<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\""M57\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
M57 Ring Nebula by Martin Pyott, St Andrews, Fife, UK. Equipment: LUNT 80mm ED Refractor, ZWO ASI 120 MC-S CMOS Planetary webcam.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The gaseous, glowing skeletons cast into space by Sun-like stars, known as \u2018planetary nebulae<\/a>\u2019, can be hugely rewarding to track down if you\u2019re just starting to explore the deep-sky.<\/p>\n

In long-exposure images from professional observatories and advanced amateur astrophotographers these nebulae look like riotous splashes of colour against the black of space, but at the eyepiece they have an altogether more ghostly appearance.<\/p>\n

\""Dumbbell\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Dumbbell Nebula by Tom Howard, Brighstone, Isle of Wight. Equipment: Nikon D7000 DSLR, Meade 5000 127mm refractor, AZ-EQ6 mount.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

You can glimpse famous examples like The Dumbbell Nebula<\/a>, M27, and The Ring Nebula<\/a>, M57, through a pair of binoculars, with the former looking like a faint smudge of light and the latter like a diffuse, grey spot against the background stars.<\/p>\n

A small telescope will show the ring structure of M57 more clearly as well as the vague shape of M27, which is often likened to that of an apple core.<\/p>\n

\""A\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A simulation showing how the Ring Nebula appears through the eyepiece of a small telescope. Credit: Will Gater<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

With a large aperture telescope, M57 takes on a striking \u2018smoke ring\u2019 appearance that jumps out from the background, while M27 starts to show clear textures within its monochromatic form.<\/p>\n

This guide originally appeared in the February 2022 issue of <\/strong><\/em>BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

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By Will Gater Published: Wednesday, 09 February 2022 at 12:00 am There\u2019s a key moment in stargazing, after you\u2019ve set up your kit and honed in on a target, when you first lean in to the eyepiece to take in the view. For experienced observers this can be the point where you set eyes on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":29353,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"13"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/02\/what-the-universe-really-looks-like-through-a-telescope.jpg",2121,1414,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/02\/what-the-universe-really-looks-like-through-a-telescope-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/02\/what-the-universe-really-looks-like-through-a-telescope-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/02\/what-the-universe-really-looks-like-through-a-telescope-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/02\/what-the-universe-really-looks-like-through-a-telescope-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/02\/what-the-universe-really-looks-like-through-a-telescope-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2022\/02\/what-the-universe-really-looks-like-through-a-telescope-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Will Gater Published: Wednesday, 09 February 2022 at 12:00 am There\u2019s a key moment in stargazing, after you\u2019ve set up your kit and honed in on a target, when you first lean in to the eyepiece to take in the view. For experienced observers this can be the point where you set eyes on…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/29352"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}