2007-11-30 05:45:04 · 14 answers · asked by omegalbee 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The 6 inch will have almost 2 x the light - gathering capacity of the 4.5 inch. Therefore, you will be able to see dimmer objects with the 6 inch, and the ones that can be seen in both scopes will appear brighter with the 6 inch.
2007-11-30 05:53:05 · answer #1 · answered by Larry454 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The larger the primary mirror (or objective lens in the case of a refractor) of a reflecting telescope, the more light you can gather. Think of the telescope as an extension of your eye. If your eye/pupil was larger, you would be able to gather more light with it. This would allow you to see things in much dimmer lighting. We cannot increase the size of our eye, but we can use larger mirrors/lenses to accomplish the same thing. The most fundamentally important aspect of a telescope for deep space observation is it's light gathering ability. Often high magnification is not even used when viewing deep space objects.
2007-11-30 14:00:38 · answer #2 · answered by Dan 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That measurement tells you the diameter of the mirror which translates to how much light it gathers. It does not indicate how much it magnifies. With all else being equal a 6" will gather almost twice as much light as a 4.5" every time you multiply the diameter by 1.41 you double the area of the mirror. If you double the diameter you 4x the area.
The focal length and magnification are two separate issue.
2007-11-30 13:53:08 · answer #3 · answered by luke7785 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
About $200.
2007-11-30 14:02:11 · answer #4 · answered by TheCheatest902 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi. From a practical standpoint the 6" scope will have better resolution and more light gathering, assuming the same quality of figure.
2007-11-30 13:58:18 · answer #5 · answered by Cirric 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Compare the surface areas of the mirrors ( pi r^2 ). The six-inch mirror has nearly twice the area as the 4.5" mirror.
2007-11-30 13:48:58 · answer #6 · answered by jgoulden 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Calculate the square in. to give u a better understanding. The resolution is more on the focal length.
2007-11-30 14:34:52 · answer #7 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
But McLovin - an inch and a half makes a whole WORLD of difference ;)
2007-11-30 15:05:36 · answer #8 · answered by nixity 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your primary lens is 1.5"larger in diameter
2007-11-30 13:49:01 · answer #9 · answered by who am I 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
the more reflection the better concentration so you can see farther.
2007-11-30 13:48:26 · answer #10 · answered by Uncommon Sense 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋