How Is Telescope Magnification Calculated?

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SUMMARY

The magnification of a telescope is calculated using the formula M = F/f, where F is the focal length of the objective lens and f is the focal length of the eyepiece. In this discussion, a user inquires about determining the effective focal length of a four-lens eyepiece, each with a focal length of 500mm. A practical method to measure the focal length involves projecting sunlight onto paper and adjusting the distance until the image is smallest, indicating the focal point. The resulting magnifications discussed include 7x and 50x, depending on the eyepiece used.

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How to get the magnification of my telescope if my objective lens (double convex) has a focal length of 500mm, and an eyepiece w/ 4 lens (double convex) that is close together (touching each other) and has a focal length of 500mm each lens?
 
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The magnification equals F/f where F is the focal point of object lens, f is the focal point of eyepiece. You can calculate the f of eyepiece or even measure it (approx.).
 
how to find the focal length of my eyepiece w/ 4 lens touching each other having 500mm focal length each lens??
 
josue2503 said:
how to find the focal length of my eyepiece w/ 4 lens touching each other having 500mm focal length each lens??

A typos? the focal point of each eyepiece lens is 500mm, isn't it?
You can measure roughly the focal point of the whole eyepiece by putting it into the sun and get the image of the sun on a piece of paper. Adjusting the distance between the lenses and the paper so that the sun's image is smallest (the paper may burn). That is the eyepiece's focal point. Probably it is less than 100mm.

Edit: this method is not used for concave lens
 
Last edited:
thanks...so..when the sun rays converges to the paper, the distance between the paper and the lens is the focal length?
 
josue2503 said:
thanks...so..when the sun rays converges to the paper, the distance between the paper and the lens is the focal length?

Exactly, that is what the theory says.
 
thanks very much so my telescope magnification is 7x and if i used an objective having 500mm focal length and an eyepiece having 10mm focal length.. my telescope magnification is 50x, right?
 
josue2503 said:
thanks very much so my telescope magnification is 7x and if i used an objective having 500mm focal length and an eyepiece having 10mm focal length.. my telescope magnification is 50x, right?

Yes. But remember the magnifition must go along with the resolution of the telescope.
 

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