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Re: Why Longer Focal Length for Planetary?

Subject: Re: Why Longer Focal Length for Planetary?
From: "Mark S. Holden"
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 23:28:16 -0400
Newsgroups: sci.astro.amateur
Mij Adyaw wrote:

Why do many serious planetary observers choose longer focal length APO refractors over shorter length APO refractors for planetary observation? Assuming a very well corrected APO like an AP or a TMB, what is to be gained by the longer focal length assuming that you have a full compliment of excellent eye pieces in all available focal lengths?

-mij


An F9 lens will have better color correction than an F6 one.

A longer focal length makes it easier to get optimum magnification without using a barlow.

Many folks love barlows - but they add air to glass surfaces to your light path and that costs a little contrast and adds light scatter.

Folks who like planets are also likely to use monocentric eyepieces - these have a relatively small field of view, but the planets pop against a nice black sky. Great for detail.


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