Introduction
The Newtonian and Cassegrain were among the first reflecting telescopes. Astronomy enthusiasts widely use these telescopes. But from eyepiece placement to object type, they differ in many factors. So it can be pretty tricky to determine which one’s perfect for you.
Well, don’t worry. We’ve come to rescue you.
Which one to choose between, Cassegrain vs. Newtonian?
The Newtonian telescopes give you a better aperture-to-price ratio. They‘re relatively cheaper and lightweight. The Cassegrain telescopes have convex secondary mirrors and bottom-lying eyepieces. The Newtonian and the Cassegrain telescopes are more suited for viewing deep-sky and solar system objects, respectively.
The article has everything you need to know about comparing the Cassegrain and Newtonian telescopes.
Let’s jump into the main article.
Cassegrain vs. Newtonian- Quick Overview!
In reflector telescopes, mirrors are used to collect and focus light. Thus they’re chromatic aberration-free. But if you want to observe the Martian surface properly, you need the Mars filter.
However, they’ve many differences in working mechanisms and different properties. Let’s take a quick peek at their differences.
| Parameter | Cassegrain | Newtonian |
| Secondary Mirror | Convex mirror flat flat | Flat mirror, inclined at a 45-degree angle |
| Eyepiece | Located at the bottom part of the telescope located located | Located at the top part of the telescope |
| Object Type | Solar system objects | Deep-sky objects |
| Weight | Relatively heavier weight | Lightweight |
| User Experience | Somewhat harder to mount and imaging easier easier | Easier to mount, easier imaging |
| Price | A bit pricey | Comparatively cheaper |
| Aperture-Price Ratio | Not as good | Better |
| Aperture-Body Ratio | Better | Not as good |
| Portability | Relatively less portable ore | More portable |
Cassegrain vs. Newtonian- Detailed Preview!
We know that the basic differences may have given you an idea. But you need more details to choose one. Hence we’ve provided a detailed comparison below-
Secondary Mirror
Cassegrain and Newtonian have different types of secondary mirrors. The Newtonian telescopes have flat mirrors and stay inclined at a 45-degree angle.
On the other hand, the Cassegrain telescopes have convex mirrors in place of flat mirrors. However, both of these telescopes have the same primary mirror, which is the concave parabola.
In Newtonian telescopes, light enters through the primary mirror. Then the secondary flat mirror directs it to the eyepiece. This mechanism works best for small-sized telescopes.
In Cassegrain telescopes, the secondary convex mirror reflects light to the primary mirror’s center. Then the light is passed through a hole and goes to the focus behind the primary mirror. This gives the benefit of providing a long focal length despite the increase in the size of the telescope.
Eyepiece
A high-quality eyepiece can determine your experience with the telescope. The eyepieces of the Newtonian telescopes are located at the top part. So if your telescope is large, you would need a stool to reach the eyepiece. There’s another problem with the Newtonian telescopes’ eyepiece. That is, they tend to move about frequently.
The Cassegrain telescopes have their eyepieces on the bottom part of the telescopes. It becomes challenging to look through the eyepiece if you’re tall. But if you use a tall mount, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Object Type
The Cassegrain telescopes are best suited for viewing objects within the solar system. This includes the planets and the moons of the solar system. On the other hand, Newtonian telescopes are more capable of showing you deep-sky objects.
Weight
The Newtonian telescopes tend to contain less glass than the Cassegrain telescopes. That’s why the Newtonian telescopes are slightly lighter than the Cassegrain telescopes.
User Experience
Regarding user experience, Newtonian telescopes get a slight edge in a few parameters. These telescopes are easier to attach to the mount than the Cassegrain ones. Also, the imaging process of Newtonian telescopes is a bit easier. It’s because of their shorter focal lengths than the Cassegrain ones.
Price
In the price category, the Newtonian telescopes cost less than the Cassegrain telescopes. Once again, the reason behind this is the less glass used in the Newtonian telescopes.
Here are some of our favorite Newtonian and Cassegrain telescopes for you-
Celestron CPC 1100 |
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Telescope 130EQ Newtonian |
Aperture-Price Ratio
You should go for Newtonian telescopes if you’re looking for the best aperture-to-price ratio. The aperture-to-price ratio of Cassegrain telescopes is not as great. The Newtonian telescopes are free of artificial colors as well. Nonetheless, the Celestron Starsense series of these telescopes have some issues.
Aperture-Body Ratio
In the case of aperture-to-body ratio, the Cassegrain telescopes are the clear winners. They provide the same aperture at a relatively compact size. It would be best to choose a large model, like the Newtonian telescope, to get a large gap.
Portability
As we mentioned before, the eyepieces of Newtonian telescopes are on the top portion. They’ve got small focal ratios as well. That’s why they require a smaller mounting system. A smaller mounting system means the Newtonian telescopes are more convenient to carry than the Cassegrain ones.
Final Verdict
Still haven’t decided? Let us help you then!
If you want a cheap, lightweight telescope for viewing deep-sky objects, go for Newtonian telescopes. Otherwise, go for the Cassegrain ones. Though they’re expensive, you’ll get a great aperture at a compact size.
This was all we had about Cassegrain and Newtonian telescopes. We hope it made your decision a lot easier.
FAQs
Question: What are the advantages of Newtonian telescopes?
Answer: The Newtonian telescopes give a wide field of view as they have short focal lengths. They’re also good at the light gathering because of their fast focal ratios.
Question: What are the disadvantages of reflector telescopes?
Answer: The inside air currents of reflector telescopes can cause images to be fuzzy. The mirrors and optics should be kept at the same temperature as the outside air to avoid this problem.
Question: Are refractor telescopes good?
Answer: The refractor telescopes are perfect for both terrestrial viewing and astronomy. They stay in shape easily, require less careful handling, and are less cumbersome.
Conclusion
You’re all set to go now that you know everything about Cassegrain vs. Newtonian. We hope we can clear everything up for you.
Could you make sure to buy a sturdy mount for your telescope?
We wish you all the best.
Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain 2800mm Telescope with Tripod and Tube
Telescope 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescopes for Adults, Professional Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, Comes with 1.5X Barlow Lens Smartphone Adapter & 13% T Moon Filter
$333.99
