Common misconceptions: 1. 2. People usually think that larger telescope will magnify the object more. The magni�cation is the ratio of the apparent sizes of the object. For example, if the angular size of the object is one arc minute and through a telescope, its apparent size becomes 30 arc minutes, then we say the magni�cation is 30. The magni�cation of any telescope can be changed very easily (by changing the eyepiece). Even for the largest telescopes, the magni�cation is seldom over 500, usually between 100 - 200. Thus, large telescopes do not magnify more, they only show brighter and sharper images. "How far can you see using this telescope?" This is not a well-de�ned question. If the object is bright enough, no matter how far it is, we can see it. So, the correct question to ask is "How dim an object can you see using this telescope?" The mount of a telescope is also very important. Apart from providing a stable support, a mount should be able to track the stars, that is, to compensate the rotation of the Earth.