Heng Ee High School Observatory and Heng Ee Astronomy Club

During the trip to Heng Ee High School Observatory, we found that the pier in which the telescope is mounted is very high. The cost of the telescope is said to be very expensive.


1. Explain why the pier must be high.

When the telescope is turned towards the zenith (above your head), it is difficult to view the telescope  from the eyepiece, as the person have to prone on the floor to view it. Hence, a higher pier allows the viewer to look through the eyepiece without having to prone on the floor.

2. Explain why is the telescope so expensive?

The telescope is a refractor and not a reflector telescope.
A refractor telescope uses a glass lens and a reflector uses a mirror.
It is more costly to use glass lens than mirrors.
Hence a refractor is more expensive than a reflector telescope in general.