<P> The magnification through a telescope magnifies a viewing object while limiting the FOV . Magnification is often misleading as the optical power of the telescope, its characteristic is the most misunderstood term used to describe the observable world . At higher magnifications the image quality significantly reduces, usage of a Barlow lens--which increases the effective focal length of an optical system--multiplies image quality reduction . </P> <P> Similar minor effects may be present when using star diagonals, as light travels through a multitude of lenses that increase or decrease effective focal length . The quality of the image generally depends on the quality of the optics (lenses) and viewing conditions--not on magnification . </P> <P> Magnification itself is limited by optical characteristics . With any telescope or microscope, beyond a practical maximum magnification, the image looks bigger but shows no more detail . It occurs when the finest detail the instrument can resolve is magnified to match the finest detail the eye can see . Magnification beyond this maximum is sometimes called empty magnification . </P> <P> To get the most detail out of a telescope, it is critical to choose the right magnification for the object being observed . Some objects appear best at low power, some at high power, and many at a moderate magnification . There are two values for magnification, a minimum and maximum . A wider field of view eyepiece may be used to keep the same eyepiece focal length whilst providing the same magnification through the telescope . For a good quality telescope operating in good atmospheric conditions, the maximum usable magnification is limited by diffraction . </P>

The ability of a telescope to see details is called