Small telescope in the context of Reflecting telescope

⭐ Core Definition: Small telescope

A small telescope is generally considered by professional astronomers to be any reflecting telescope with a primary mirror that is less than 2 metres (80 in) in diameter.By amateur standards, a small telescope can have a primary mirror/aperture less than 6–10 inches (150–250 mm) in diameter. Little if any professional-level research is performed with refracting telescopes in the modern era of astronomy.

Small telescopes dominate astronomical research in the fields of asteroid/comet discovery/observation, variable star photometry, supernova/nova discovery, and colorimetry/polarimetry of the Solar System's planets.

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Small telescope in the context of Guide star

In astronomy, a guide star is a reference star used to accurately maintain the tracking by a telescope of a celestial body, whose apparent motion through the sky is primarily due to Earth's rotation.

Accurate telescope pointing and tracking is critical for obtaining good astronomical images and astrophotographs. However, because Earth rotates, the sky appears to be in a constant state of motion relative to Earth. Although this movement appears to be relatively slow when viewed with the naked eye, with the high magnification and consequently smaller field of view provided by even a small telescope, this motion becomes apparent on timescales of the order of seconds.

View the full Wikipedia page for Guide star

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Small telescope in the context of Reflecting telescope

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⭐ Core Definition: Small telescope

Small telescope in the context of Guide star