Where to buy telescope that measures spectrum?

  • Context: Stargazing 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Duo Tao
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Spectrum Telescope
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the inquiry of purchasing a telescope capable of measuring spectra using CCD technology, specifically for astrophysical applications. Participants explore the requirements and considerations for such equipment, including the relevance of distance and the role of detectors in astronomical spectroscopy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to buy a telescope for astronomical spectroscopy, specifically mentioning the capability to measure spectra over distances of several hundreds of light years.
  • Another participant suggests that the original poster should conduct further research and provides a link to a resource related to telescopes.
  • A different participant questions the relevance of distance in the context of the inquiry and suggests that the detector may be more critical than the telescope itself.
  • This participant also asks about the original poster's experience in astronomy and their current equipment, as well as their budget for the purchase.
  • Another contribution proposes starting with basic spectroscopy techniques, mentioning inexpensive methods to create a spectrometer using common materials, and emphasizes the need to attach the spectrometer to a telescope to observe stellar spectra.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to the original inquiry. There are multiple competing views regarding the importance of the telescope versus the detector, as well as differing opinions on how to begin with spectroscopy.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of experience and knowledge regarding astronomical equipment, and there are unresolved questions about the specific requirements for the desired telescope and spectroscopy setup.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in astrophysics, amateur astronomers, and those looking to explore spectroscopy techniques may find this discussion relevant.

Duo Tao
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hi,

I am going into the field of astrophysics and I am going to make my career a hobby, too.

I want to buy a telescope that can measure the spectrum with CCD (astronomical spectroscopy) in a range of several hundreds of light years (like the Big Dipper). Does anyone know where can I get it?

Much appreciated.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: davenn
Duo Tao said:
I am going into the field of astrophysics and I am going to make my career a hobby, too.

I want to buy a telescope that can measure the spectrum with CCD (astronomical spectroscopy) in a range of several hundreds of light years (like the Big Dipper). Does anyone know where can I get it?
I'm having trouble parsing this question.

1. What does distance have to do with anything?
2. Isn't the detector what you are really looking for, not the telescope? Seems to me the telescope is less important...

And:
3. Have you done any astronomy? What equipment are you currently using?
4. What is your budget?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: davenn and stefan r
I would start with plain spectroscopy. Measure the spectrum of a light source. The detector needs to work in the frequency range you are interested in. Isaac Newton started with sunlight as a source and looked at visible light using his eyes as a detector. You can get an acrylic glass prism on Amazon for under $10.

You can cut a diffraction grating out off a dvd. Use your i-phone or web cam as a detector. There are also transmissive diffraction lens slides also for less than $10 from amazon or e-bay. Avoid the diffraction lens designed for ravers that make weird shapes, cheaper might be better. This wired article shows how to make a spectrometer using a cereal box.

To get spectrum of a star you need to attach the spectrometer to the eyepiece of a telescope.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: unusually_wrong

Similar threads

  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
8K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
6K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K