So, you’re asking yourself, ‘what telescope should i buy’? That’s a fantastic question, and you’re in the right place to find the answer. Choosing your first telescope is a big step, but it doesn’t have to be confusing. We’ll break it down into simple, clear steps so you can make a smart choice and start enjoying the night sky.
Many beginners think the most important thing is power or magnification. That’s actually a common mistake. The key to a good telescope is its ability to gather light. This guide will walk you through the different types of telescopes, what to look for, and what you can realistically expect to see.
What Telescope Should I Buy
This is the core question. The best telescope for you depends on three main things: your budget, what you want to observe, and where you’ll be using it. There is no single “best” telescope for everyone. A perfect scope for a city balcony might be very different from one for a dark countryside yard.
First, Know What You’re Getting Into
Before we talk about scopes, let’s set some expectations. If you’re hoping to see Hubble-like color images with your own eyes, you’ll be disappointed. Visual astronomy is more subtle, but deeply rewarding.
- You will see the Moon in incredible, crisp detail.
- You can see Jupiter’s cloud bands and its four largest moons.
- Saturn’s rings are clearly visible.
- Deep-sky objects like star clusters and nebulae will appear as faint, grayish smudges of light. Their beauty is in finding them and knowing what they are.
The Three Main Types of Telescopes
All telescopes fall into three primary designs. Each has it’s own strengths and weaknesses.
1. Refractor Telescopes
These use lenses to bend light to a focus. They look like a long, straight tube.
- Pros: Low maintenance, sealed tube protects optics, sharp images, great for the Moon and planets.
- Cons: Can become very large and expensive for a given aperture, some color fringing on bright objects in cheaper models.
- Best for: Beginners with a higher budget, lunar and planetary observers, people who want a simple “point and use” experience.
2. Reflector Telescopes (Newtonians)
These use mirrors to gather and focus light. The eyepiece is on the side near the front.
- Pros: Most aperture for your money, no color fringing, great for faint deep-sky objects like galaxies.
- Cons: Open tube requires occasional mirror alignment (collimation), bulkier, optics can get dusty.
- Best for: Value-seekers, deep-sky observers, those with darker skies.
3. Compound Telescopes (Catadioptrics)
These use a combination of mirrors and lenses to fold the light path. Schmidt-Cassegrains (SCTs) and Maksutov-Cassegrains (Maks) are popular types.
- Pros: Very compact and portable for their aperture, versatile for both planets and deep-sky, often go-to computerized mounts.
- Cons: Generally the most expensive type, can have longer cooldown times to reach air temperature.
- Best for: Astrophotographers, observers who need portability, those who want advanced computer tracking.
The Most Important Spec: Aperture
Aperture is the diameter of the telescope’s main lens or mirror. It’s measured in inches or millimeters. This is the #1 spec to consider.
- Why it matters: A larger aperture gathers more light. More light means brighter, clearer images and the ability to see fainter objects.
- Beginner Sizes: A good starter scope is in the 70mm (2.8-inch) refractor to 130mm (5-inch) reflector range. Avoid tiny, wobbly “department store” telescopes.
- Bigger is better, but… A huge, heavy telescope you never take outside is worse than a smaller one you use all the time. Consider portability.
The Second Most Important Thing: The Mount
The mount holds your telescope steady. A great telescope on a bad mount is useless. There are two main kinds.
Alt-Azimuth Mount
Moves up-down (altitude) and left-right (azimuth). It’s simple and intuitive, like a camera tripod.
- Pros: Easy to use, lighter, less expensive.
- Cons: Doesn’t naturally follow the rotation of the night sky, which can be frustrating at high magnifications.
Equatorial Mount
Aligned with Earth’s axis, it moves in right ascension and declination. It has a counterweight.
- Pros: Once aligned, you can easily track objects by turning one knob. Essential for serious astrophotography.
- Cons: Heavier, more complex to set up, more expensive.
Computerized “Go-To” vs. Manual Telescopes
Many telescopes now come with motors and a hand control that can automatically point the scope at thousands of objects.
- Go-To Benefits: Finds objects you might not know how to find. Saves time. Great for light-polluted areas where stars are hard to see.
- Manual Benefits: Cheaper. Teaches you the night sky intimately. No batteries or setup procedures required. Many astronomers prefer the hunt.
There’s no right answer here, it’s about personal preference and budget.
Step-by-Step Buying Guide
Step 1: Set a Real Budget. Include essential accessories. A $300 scope might need another $100 for decent eyepieces.
Step 2: Prioritize Aperture and Mount. Get the largest aperture on the sturdiest mount your budget allows. A 6-inch Dobsonian (a type of reflector on a simple mount) is often the #1 recommended beginner scope for good reason.
Step 3: Consider Your Viewing Location. In a bright city, planets and the Moon are your best targets (a refractor or Maksutov excels). In dark skies, you can exploit a big reflector for galaxies.
Step 4: Think About Storage and Portability. Where will you keep it? Can you carry it outside in one trip? If not, you might not use it as much.
Step 5: Plan for Accessories. You’ll likely want a better eyepiece or two, a moon filter, and maybe a planisphere or star atlas. Factor this in.
Step 6: Buy from a Specialty Retailer. Avoid toy stores and general retailers. Shop at dedicated astronomy dealers online or in person. Their scopes are quality and they offer good support.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- Getting Suckered by Magnification Claims: Any telescope claiming “500x power!” on the box is junk. Useful magnification is limited by aperture and atmosphere.
- Ignoring the Mount: A shaky mount makes observing impossible. Stability is non-negotiable.
- Starting Too Complex: A huge, computerized scope with a complicated setup can lead to frustration. Simple often equals more use.
- Forgetting About Software: Free planetarium apps like Stellarium are incredible tools for learning the sky.
Recommended Starter Telescopes by Budget
Under $250
- Best Bet: A tabletop Dobsonian reflector (like a 130mm model). They offer great aperture on a simple, stable mount.
- Alternative: A small 70mm or 80mm refractor on a basic alt-azimuth mount. Good for lunar and planetary views.
$250 – $500
- Best Bet: A full-sized 6-inch or 8-inch Dobsonian reflector. This is the “sweet spot” for visual astronomy. Massive light grasp for the price.
- Alternative: A 5-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain on a simple goto mount. Less aperture but more portability and tracking.
$500 – $1000
- You now have great options. An 8-inch Go-To SCT, a larger Dobsonian (10-inch), or a high-quality 4-inch refractor on a solid equatorial mount.
- This range is where serious astrophotography (beyond the Moon) starts to become possible with the right gear.
Essential Accessories You’ll Need
Most telescopes come with one or two basic eyepieces. These will get you started, but you’ll want to upgrade.
- Better Eyepieces: Start with a good low-power (e.g., 25mm) and a medium-power (e.g., 10mm) eyepiece. Plossl designs are affordable and good quality.
- Barlow Lens: This doubles or triples the power of your existing eyepieces. A cost-effective way to get more magnification options.
- Moon Filter: The full Moon is incredibly bright through a telescope. A neutral density filter cuts the glare and improves contrast.
- Star Chart or App: You need a map. A planisphere is a simple physical tool. Apps are incredibly powerful and show you the sky in real-time.
- Red Flashlight: Preserves your night vision. Never use a white light while observing with others.
Where to Use Your New Telescope
Let your eyes adjust to the dark for at least 20 minutes. Start with an easy target like the Moon to get aligned. Then, try a bright planet like Jupiter.
If you’re in the city, don’t dispair. The Moon, planets, and some star clusters cut through light pollution quite well. You can still have a lot of fun.
For deep-sky objects, finding a darker site is worth the effort. Check for local astronomy clubs—they often have designated dark-sky spots.
Joining an Astronomy Club
This is one of the best pieces of advice. Before you buy anything, find a local club. They have “star parties” where you can look through dozens of different telescopes. You can ask questions and get hands-on advice. It’s a fantastic way to learn and avoid costly mistakes.
FAQs About Buying a Telescope
Q: What is a good beginner telescope for adults?
A: A 6-inch Dobsonian reflector is often the top recommendation. It offers the most performance for the money, is simple to use, and reveals a huge amount of celestial objects.
Q: Can I see galaxies with a beginner telescope?
A: Yes, but manage your expectations. You’ll see them as faint, fuzzy patches. The Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula are popular beginner targets. A darker sky location is crucial for galaxies.
Q: How much should I spend on my first telescope?
A: A realistic budget is between $200 and $500. This gets you a quality instrument that will provide years of enjoyment. Spending less often leads to a frustrating experience that turns people away from the hobby.
Q: Is a computerized telescope better for a beginner?
A: It can be, but it’s not automatically better. It simplifies finding objects, but adds cost, complexity, and requires power. Many believe learning the sky manually first is more rewarding.
Q: Can I use a telescope for daytime viewing?
A> With the correct accessory—a erect image diagonal—many refractors and compound scopes can be used for terrestrial viewing. Never, ever point any telescope at or near the Sun without a proper, professionally designed solar filter.
Q: What’s the one thing I should not cheap out on?
A: The mount. A stable, smooth mount is absolutely essential. A huge telescope on a flimsy tripod will vibrate with every touch and make you miserable.
Choosing your first telescope is a exciting journey. Remember, the best telescope is the one you’ll use regularly. Start with realistic goals, prioritize aperture and a solid mount, and don’t overlook the value of learning the sky. With a little research and patience, you’ll find the perfect instrument to open up the wonders of the universe from your own backyard. Clear skies!