Determining the power of a telescope involves a simple calculation relating the focal lengths of its two primary optical components. It is found by dividing the focal length of the objective (the main lens or mirror that gathers light) by the focal length of the eyepiece (the lens that magnifies the image). For example, a telescope with a 1000mm objective focal length used with a 20mm eyepiece will produce a magnification of 50x.
Understanding the level of enlargement a telescope provides is fundamental for observing celestial objects. Higher magnification allows for closer examination of details, but excessive magnification can diminish image brightness and sharpness due to atmospheric turbulence and imperfections in the optics. Historically, calculating the amplification has been crucial for astronomers to accurately assess the visibility and features of distant stars and planets.