High magnification is often used to advertise beginner telescopes, but more magnification does not automatically produce a better view.

Telescope magnification is calculated using:

Telescope focal length ÷ eyepiece focal length

For example, a telescope with a focal length of 1,000 mm and a 10 mm eyepiece gives:

1,000 ÷ 10 = 100× magnification

The important part is that every telescope has practical limits. At excessive magnification, the image becomes dim, blurry and difficult to focus. Atmospheric turbulence can also make planets appear as though they are moving or boiling.

On many nights, a sharp view at moderate magnification is much better than a larger but blurry image.

A useful beginner approach is:

Start with a low-power eyepiece to find the object.
Centre the object carefully.
Increase magnification gradually.
Stop when the image no longer becomes clearer.

Low magnification is excellent for large star clusters, nebulae and scanning the Milky Way. Higher magnification is generally more useful for the Moon, planets and double stars.

Do not be discouraged when a planet looks smaller than it does in photographs. Astrophotographs are usually captured and processed very differently from what the eye sees through an eyepiece.

What telescope and eyepieces are you using? Post the focal lengths below and the community can help calculate your available magnifications.