Nope!   MAGNIFICATION is unimportant.   Truth is, any scope can achieve any magnification with the appropriate choice of EPs.   Though smaller aperture scopes are limited to relatively smaller magnification limits (50x per aperture is the popular limit), most of the time a scope becomes limited by the atmosphere anyway.   At 200x to 300x power, the seeing usually makes magnifications in this range impractical.   Therefore, while a 10" scope can achieve 500x in theory (10" times 50x per aperture), the scope would never be used in this mag range.   SO DON'T PURCHASE A SCOPE BECAUSE OF THESE TYPES OF CLAIMS.  Any scope that's advertised in this fashion is a "trash" scope and should be avoided at all costs.

Please note that the exception to the 50x per aperture mag limit would be the APO refractor, which often can achieve 100x per aperture or more.   For example, my little 3" Takahashi (TAK) can be pushed to upwards of 120x per aperture, for a total possible power of 360x (truthfully, it seems to want a bit more than even that, but it is limited once again by the seeing); an incredible little scope!   However, if any scope can push the seeing mag limits, its definitely the APO refractor.   It seems to perform its magic even when the atmosphere is a bit shaky. 

 Return to Article Contents

  Return to Home Page

Copyright(c) 2003 - 2004 ALLABOUTASTRO.com. All rights reserved.