Barlow lens: product specification

The Barlow Lens is one of the most popular accessories in the arsenal of astronomers, both professionals and amateurs. It is important in this field of activity. This device is in the form of a concave simple lens (negative), which greatly increases the effective magnification of the telescope. This element was invented in the XIX century by the mathematician Peter Barlow. Hence the very name of this device.

Product Application

Due to its multifunctionality, the Barlow lens is quite widely used by astronomers of various qualifications. With the help of this device it is possible to realize the maximum possible increase in the object that is observed in the telescope. This is an important property. For example, the Barlow 2x lens when placed between the eyepiece and the telescope lens, giving a standard magnification of 100x, increases this figure to 200x. But since the useful increase depends on the stability and state of the atmosphere, the application of this product is not always relevant. For example, if, with an increase in 100x, airflow blurs the image, the Barlow lens, doubling the approach level to 200x, will only aggravate the situation. The most effective is the use of this device in combination with a short-focus telescope. This device Barlow lens will give considerable efficiency due to the fact that these telescopes have a limited ability, because they use standard short-focus eyepieces. The Barlow lens is also an indispensable tool for shooting planets on film or digital cameras.
It allows you to "pull out" the small details or increase the scale of the resulting image. Due to the smaller thickness of the glass in the path of light, a qualitative lens will give a more appropriate result than the projection through the eyepiece to the photodetector.

Dignity

The main advantage of this device is that it increases the amount of available magnification. For example, if an astronomer has eyepieces 10 mm, 18 mm, 26 mm, then if there is a Barlow 2x lens, his tools are enlarged by these devices to 5 mm, 9 mm and 13 mm. This is economical in this case. In other words, one Barlow lens can replace three eyepieces.

Diversity

The most common Barlow lenses are two-fold (2x). However, the increase multiplier for these products produced today is very diverse. The Barlow lens 3x, and 4x, and 5x is quite common, and you can also find 1.5x and 2.5x. There are models with variable magnification from 2х to 3х. To complicate the use of these lenses may not sufficiently high focus of the telescope.

Tip

When selecting the necessary Barlow lens for an existing telescope, special attention should be paid to the diameter of the landing sleeve. Its size can be 0.965, 1.25 or 2 inches. It should be identical to the diameter of the focuser and the eyepiece seating. In order to get a double image magnification with the Barlow 2x lens, it is necessary to place it between the diagonal mirror and the eyepiece. These products of really high quality should have an enlightenment and ideally it should be multi-layered.