When I was in college, I took an astronomy class, and I thought it would be boring. However, what I found blew my mind. From equations concerning stars to using the best telescope to take pictures, I found wonder in the astronomy lab.
Being in that class helped connect me to something I hadn’t felt since I was a child, namely, the wonder of discovering the universe.
If you’re just beginning your astronomy journey, it can be hard to know where to start. The necessary knowledge to start and the difference in pricing between various telescopes can seem like a high bar for entry.
However, if you zoom in on why you want a telescope and what you want to learn, the study of space can be an enormously rewarding experience.
Table of comparison
Space: The Final Frontier
Image Via Pixabay
Even though humans have only explored 5 percent of the ocean, our attention has always been on the stars. With Hollywood blockbusters like “Interstellar” or “Gravity,” it’s clear that space provides a huge, blank canvas for the human imagination. And that means that a telescope is not an end, but a beginning!
Telescope activities
Telescopes are not just high-powered binoculars — they can be windows into learning. With them, you can explore math and physics, scientific history, and even the future of the universe.
If that’s not enough — and it should be — they can be great to do activities with your kids or with your friends. Like the astronomer, Carl Sagan said, “Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark.” Make astronomy a little less lonely by doing it together!
If you’re short on ideas, NASA regularly puts out educational resources and activity guides to give you the best telescope experience possible.
What does this thing do?
If your confidence is a little shaky, a good way to improve it is with a little telescope knowledge. Knowing the parts of a telescope is a great start for looking for that perfect match. They include:
Lens
The lens is arguably the most important part of the telescope because it controls how light enters the telescope and how you see it. Like cameras, lens size matters a great deal. Specifically, the more light it can capture, the higher quality your images will be.
Tube
The tube’s main function is to enhance the focal length setting.
Finder scope
Think of the finder scope as a tiny telescope attached to a bigger one. It’s used to help find the larger object you want to look at.
Eyepiece
Your eyepiece is crucial because it clears up the view from the lens to the object.
Mounting
If you have a shaky or flimsy mount, your telescope experience may be sub-optimal. The knob is for fixing your telescope’s latitude and allows the telescope to stay in balance.
The Best Telescope for You
By now, you’re probably itching to know what the best telescope is for you! Ultimately, what matters most is that you find the telescope that you’re most comfortable with and that best suits your needs.
Luckily for you, we have some suggestions:
SkyWatcher S111520 Maksutov-Cassegrain 127mm
Right off the bat, this might be a great telescope for you, especially if you like to travel. All around the globe, there are different skies to see, and the SkyWatcher S111520 Maksutov-Cassegrain 127mm can help you do it.
This telescope is compact without sacrificing quality, which it accomplishes with a shorter tube. Though its portability can be hampered by its weight, really, it’s still a great choice for those who may want to take their telescope places.
Who needs this?
If you’re a professional, the SkyWatcher S111520 Maksutov-Cassegrain 127mm can be the best telescope if you’d prefer to leave your main one where it is. It provides a simple set up for a hobbyist and gives clear views of the moon and some planets. However, according to Telescope Reviewer, it’s not great on high magnification. If that’s important to you, you’ll want to consider it before purchasing.
What do customers say about it?
Customers seem to be relatively happy with it and its ability to get great views of major planets. Reviews mention the telescope’s great astrograph, top-quality optics, and impressive lens quality.
Orion Observer 80ST 80mm Equatorial Refractor Telescope
- Explore the planets and scan the heavens for bright deep-sky gems with the compact and low-cost Orion Observer 80ST...
- An ideal refractor telescope package for the observer on-the-go, the compact Observer 80ST packs a lot of performance...
- 80mm f/5.0 rich-field refractor telescope delivers sharp and bright wide-field views of the cosmos - great for exploring...
The Orion Observer 80ST is a great choice for a versatile and affordable first telescope. It’s a refractor, which means it takes in light from the lens at the front of the tube. (Reflectors take in light from the bottom. And compound telescopes take in light through a more complex system of lenses and mirrors.)
The 80ST is the best telescope for backyard astronomy. It provides you with the ability to track celestial objects as well as a host of accessories to make it easier for you.
Who needs this?
While this is a great starter telescope, anyone with abilities beyond that would probably find this telescope unsatisfactory. On the other hand, this telescope is perfect for amateurs.
What do customers say about it?
Customers still praise its portability, versatility, and even their customer service. One review claimed that the company was willing to send them a new lens. The customer had complained about a loose one in the telescope they received in the mail. The company’s trust impressed them because Orion didn’t even require the return of the original telescope.
Among other great features of this telescope are an EQ-1B equatorial mount and adjustable-height tripod, astro-imaging capability, and a telescope kit to get you started.
Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope
- This 5.1" aperture reflector telescope gathers an ample amount of light for great views of the planets and Moon, as well...
- Compact optical tube design for easy portability and fast f/5 focal ratio for pleasing wide-field performance makes the...
- Sturdy equatorial telescope mount and adjustable tripod allows manual slow-motion tracking of celestial objects as they...
This Orion telescope kicks it up a notch. It features a sturdy EQ-2 equatorial mount, and a 5.1 aperture. Remember that aperture is related to the amount of light the telescope lets in, and the bigger, the better. This telescope also weighs almost double the 80ST, coming in at about 27 pounds.
Other neat features of this telescope include a 6×30 finder scope that can help you find bodies accurately. It also has a 650mm (f/5) mirror that gives you an even wider view of the stars.
Who needs this?
This may be the best telescope for someone who wants to take their astronomy to the next level. So, if you’re a beginner who’s ready to up their level or a budding intermediate, this would be the best telescope for you. As you develop your chops as an astronomer, you should get yourself a telescope to keep up with your expanding skill set.
What do customers say about it?
Its ease of use is apparently. Among other things, customers say that the optics are easy to adjust, and usage doesn’t require a lot of foreknowledge. (It does require paying attention to the instructions, though.)
If you’re a total beginner, however, this telescope can end up being more than you expect. So, make sure you won’t get overwhelmed by springing for a little extra firepower in this one.
Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130 EQ Reflector Telescope
- POWERFUL TELESCOPE FOR ASTRONOMY BEGINNERS: The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian reflector is ideal the telescope...
- NEWTONIAN REFLECTOR OPTICAL DESIGN: With a large, 130mm aperture, the AstroMaster 130EQ can gather enough light to see...
- EASY TO SET UP AND USE: This is a great telescope for kids and adults to use together. It features a manual German...
According to Celestron’s website, this telescope is great for viewing the Moon, planets, star clusters, and more. And as opposed to other telescopes, this one features two slow-motion control knobs, giving you the ability to make even finer adjustments when viewing the night sky.
The telescope also comes with software that lets you download ways to plan your next viewing session and, in addition, there’s a 10,000 object database.
Who needs this?
Similar to the Orion 09007, this telescope is best for beginners or new intermediates.
What do customers say about it?
According to customers, this telescope offers a lot of pros and a couple of cons. It’s lightweight (only about 6 pounds), and it has great image quality. Among the cons are that it’s not for astrophotography, and the lenses it comes with are not that powerful.
You can buy additional lenses to enhance your viewing experience, but they will cost you. This can be disappointing if you were looking for an all-in-one package.
Emarth Telescope, Travel Scope, 70mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope
- [Meaningful Gift Telescope for Kids 8-12] 360mm(f/5.1) focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optical glass with...
- [The Immense Universe Is Under My Nose] The interchangeable eyepieces with a 3x Barlow lens increase viewing power, 5x24...
- [The MarvelousToys For Kids, Easy Set Up] This telescope is quick and easy to set up, it also come with the manual, it...
This entry from Emarth is a 70mm telescope and as the name implies, it’s best for on-the-go astronomers. According to Telescope Reviewer, the finder scope will allow you to locate celestial bodies in under a minute.
The learning curve for this one isn’t steep, and it comes with a travel backpack and extra eyepieces.
Who needs this?
This telescope is solidly for total beginners or children. It’s easy to learn and easy to use. However, expecting high-grade quality out of it will not yield satisfying results.
What do customers say about it?
Customers say it has a great manual, a smooth set-up, and provides crisp, close-up images of the moon and other objects.
Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope
- NEXSTAR 4SE COMPUTERIZED TELESCOPE: Celestron’s iconic orange tube telescope combines 4" Maksutov-Cassegrian optics...
- 4-INCH APERTURE MAKSUTOV-CASSEGRAIN TELESCOPE: 4-inch primary mirror packs enough light-gathering ability to deliver...
- FULLY-AUTOMATED GOTO MOUNT: With a database of 40,000+ celestial objects, NexStar SE's GoTo mount locates and tracks...
This telescope is a heavyweight. It comes with a database of 40,000 objects, an 8-inch aperture, and allows you to see craters and geographic features on planets. Its website claims you can clearly see the rings of Saturn and the Great Red Spot of Jupiter, as well as far beyond our own solar system.
Who needs this?
This telescope is solidly for more advanced users. It can be for beginners, but the features and capabilities may go unused or unappreciated by less experienced stargazers.
What do customers say about it?
Customers say that it’s a great general purpose scope, providing clarity without needing to adjust the mirror.
Orion 9827 AstroView 6 Equatorial Reflector Telescope
- Versatile 6" reflector telescope and sturdy equatorial (EQ) mount and tripod excels at all-around night-sky performance
- 6" (150mm) aperture and 750mm focal length Newtonian reflector optics provides pleasing views of a rich variety of...
- Includes sturdy adjustable-height aluminum tripod and equatorial mount for precise slow-motion manual tracking of...
Versatile and affordable, the Orion 9827 AstroView 6 Equatorial Reflector Telescope offers great all-around performance. This telescope features a 6-inch aperture and 150mm lens and allows you to track objects in the night sky smoothly. When fully assembled, it weighs 37 pounds, which makes it easy to carry around.
Who needs this?
This may be the best telescope for beginner to intermediate users.
What do customers say about it?
On the whole, consumers report a good experience with it, including top quality optics and good, sharp views of the moon. Among complaints about this one are a flimsy tripod and a confusing manual.
Celestron NexStar 4 SE Telescope
- Nexstar computerized telescope: The NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope features Celestron’s iconic orange tube design...
- 8-Inch aperture: The 8-inch primary mirror in this Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope for adults and kids to be used together...
- Fully-automated go to mount: Featuring a database of more than 40,000 celestial objects, the go to mount built into our...
Just like the NexStar 8, this telescope shares the immediately recognizable “orange tube.” As the name implies, the aperture is about half that of the NexStar 8, and about half the cost.
However, it still comes with Celestron’s database of 40,000 objects, as well as SkyAlign technology, which helps you align your telescope quickly, even if you’re unfamiliar with the night sky.
Who needs this?
This may be the best telescope for beginners and intermediate. Its features are great but simple enough to learn quickly, so don’t be afraid to check it out!
What do customers say about it?
Though it takes excellent photos, some reviews say that you’ll need a good computer to translate those into stunning images.
While many consumers were in love with the product, some were not so in love with Celestron’s customer service. Likewise, more than one customer has complained about problems with the telescope’s motor.
However, one customer claimed that they use the telescope to gather excellent photos, even in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, with heavy light pollution. In general, the consensus on this product is that it is worth the purchase.
DoubleSun Telescope with Equatorial Mount-Refractor Scope 70mm Aperture
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This telescope provides a no-tool setup and a 70mm aperture. Its equatorial mount allows you to tilt the axis of rotation. This will let you track objects easily as they move.
Who needs this?
This may be the best telescope for children and novices. It can also be an excellent choice for teachers of astronomy and parents who want to foster an interest in the hobby.
What do customers say about it?
According to one buyer review, this telescope is simple enough for a child to use. Accordingly, it’s an inexpensive way to foster interest in astronomy!
Telescope 60mm AZ Refractor Telescope with 10mm Smartphone Digiscoping Adapter
- 【HIGH QUALITY OPTICS】Entry-level refractive astronomical telescope with 60mm aperture and 700mm focal length, f/11.6...
- 【OPTIMUM MAGNIFICATION】 Comes with 2 eyepieces (K20mm & K9mm) which can make you enjoy magnification from 35X to...
- 【SMARTPHONE ADAPTER】Comes with a 1.25 inch 10mm Smartphone Eyepiece Adapter .You can capture and record great images...
This telescope features a Smartphone Eyepiece Adapter, which allows you to take photos. It also has a 60mm aperture and a preassembled aluminum tripod. There’s no point sugarcoating it — this is not a telescope any adult would be happy with. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not a great gift for a kid to get them interested in astronomy.
Who needs this?
This telescope is exclusively for children.
What do customers say about it?
The consensus of reviews about this children’s’ model is that it works as expected.
What You’ll Gain from Astronomy
Image Via Pexels
Whether you are a 6-year-old child, a seasoned astronomer, or somewhere in-between, you can always find the best telescope to fit your needs. And what you’ll gain from astronomy isn’t just about looking through a scope — it’s about a lot more than that.
Through astronomy, you can develop a more grounded sense of the universe’s beginnings, its machinations, and the science behind it all. You can share this knowledge with your classmates, friends, and family. And if you’re lucky, you may just discover a passion among the stars.
Tell us about your favorite telescope in the comments!
Featured image: CC0 by Lucas Pezeta via Pexels
I began my writing career writing for various content firms, but it was under the tutelage of the editors here at SavantMag.com that I grew as a writer and editor. I love the content we write here and bringing solid reviews to consumers is rewarding beyond what I can even describe.
Last update on 2023-04-27 at 02:51 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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