Light Gathering Power (LGP)

Light Gathering Power (LGP) refers to a telescope’s ability to collect light from distant objects. It determines how bright and detailed the telescope can make faint celestial bodies appear. Essentially, a larger aperture (the main opening of the telescope) means more light is collected, allowing astronomers to see dimmer objects and finer details. LGP isn't about magnification, but about sensitivity—how much light the telescope gathers. Therefore, a telescope with high LGP can reveal more of the universe’s faint and distant phenomena, making it a critical factor in choosing equipment for observing deep-sky objects.