Category: Telescopes

A compound telescope combines lenses and mirrors for a compact, versatile scope. Here’s how it works, the main types (SCT vs Maksutov), and who it’s best for.

What kind of telescope is NASA's James Webb? A look at its folding segmented-mirror reflector design and how it sees the universe in infrared light.

Why planets can look black and white in a telescope — how your eyes see faint color at night, and how to coax out more detail and hue on Jupiter and Mars.

Why some telescopes are long and some short — how focal length and design shape a scope's size, and what that means for planets versus wide-field views.