Magnification.

[Raga]

Hi guys. Reading some of the posts on EP's ppl talk about the magnification it produces eg a 3mm ep will produce 218x mag. A 5mm ep will produce less etc etc. how is this magnification worked out?

Thanks for helping a newbie understand.

[Cornelius Varley]

The magnification of an eyepiece is calculated by dividing the focal length of the telescope by the focal length of the eypiece.

[sologuitarist61]

Yep, what Peter just said

[E621Keith]

Basically what Peter said.

Magnification = Telescope focal length / eyepiece focal length.

Unlike spotting scopes, astronomical telescope have a huge variation in focal lengths, from less than 200mm to several meters. Therefore it is necessary to calculate the magnification yourself. That 3mm only produced 218x on that particular scope.

[Raga]

Thanks guys.