Telescope Image Quality?

EE(50) is the size of the circle that contains 50% of the Encircled Energy (EE) of a received image measured in arc-seconds of the observed area of space. It is working from the idea that "blur" and other factors spread out the light energy and we can define how tight the image is by finding where the 50% or 80% containment circle is.

You might ask these guys http://het.as.utexas.edu/HET/TechReports/moffat/mo... email at bottom

but this explains it exactly

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encircled_energy

if you also look at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_spread_function

Actually, for $1000, you can get a 12" telescope, though that might be a bit much to handle as a first telescope. Planetary details through an 8" scope (or a 12", for that matter) are not going to look anything like NASA photos. On Mars, during opposition, you will be able to make out some large-scale features and a polar cap. Jupiter shows several bands, the Great Red Spot, and four moons. Saturn, a couple of bands, the rings, ring shadows, the Cassini division, and five moons. Galaxies are faint gray smudges. In a very dark and clear sky you will get a hint of spiral structure in a few of them. Also, you will see more as time goes on. The views through an amateur telescope can be very subtle, and for most of us it takes some time to learn how to pick out details. If at all possible, find some star parties in your area and see for yourself.

"EE" refers to "encircled energy" or "enclosed energy." It is a measure of the concentrated energy in an optical image. The number associated with it, usually 50 or 80, refers to the radius of the point spread function at which 50% or 80% of the energy is concentrated.

Well since you like to make smart remarks on comment , Your cute bud, I'd mess you up if i seen you in person.