If you’re asking yourself ‘what’s the best telescope to buy,’ you’re not alone. It’s a common question for new stargazers, and the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best telescope for you depends on what you want to see, where you’ll use it, and your budget. This guide will help you cut through the confusion and find the perfect scope for your nights under the stars.
We’ll break down the different types of telescopes, key features to look for, and some great models for every level. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to look for.
What’s The Best Telescope To Buy
This is the core question. The truth is, the “best” telescope is the one you’ll use often. A huge, complex scope that’s a pain to set up will end up in the closet. A simpler, smaller scope used every clear night is far better. Your goal should be to find a capable and user-friendly instrument that matches your interests.
Understanding the Three Main Telescope Types
All telescopes gather light, but they do it in different ways. Knowing these three basic designs is your first step.
1. Refractor Telescopes
These use lenses at the front of a tube to bend light to a focus point at the back. They look like a classic spyglass.
- Pros: Low maintenance (sealed tube), sharp images, great for the Moon, planets, and terrestrial viewing.
- Cons: Can become very expensive for larger sizes, heavier and longer for their aperture.
- Best for: Beginners who want a simple, ready-to-use scope; lunar and planetary enthusiasts.
2. Reflector Telescopes (Newtonians)
These use a curved mirror at the bottom of the tube to reflect light back up to a second, smaller mirror, which directs it to the eyepiece on the side.
- Pros: Most aperture for your money. Excellent for deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae.
- Cons: Require occasional collimation (mirror alignment). Open tube can let in dust.
- Best for: Those wanting the biggest light-gathering power on a budget; deep-sky observers.
3. Compound Telescopes (Catadioptrics)
These, like Schmidt-Cassegrains (SCTs), use a combination of mirrors and lenses folded into a compact tube.
- Pros: Very portable for their aperture. Versatile for both planets and deep-sky.
- Cons: Generally the most expensive type. More complex optics.
- Best for: Astrophotographers, advanced amateurs needing portability, and those who want an all-in-one scope.
Key Features You Must Consider
Beyond the type, these specifications determine what you can see and how easy it is to see.
Aperture: The Most Important Spec
Aperture is the diameter of the main lens or mirror. It’s measured in millimeters or inches.
- Why it matters: A bigger aperture gathers more light. This means you can see fainter objects and get sharper, brighter views. A 6-inch scope will always show more than a 4-inch scope of similar quality.
- Beginner Tip: Don’t sacrifice aperture for high magnification claims. A 70mm refractor is a good start, but a 6-inch (150mm) reflector offers a much more rewarding experience.
Focal Length and Focal Ratio
The focal length is the distance light travels inside the scope to reach focus. It’s usually marked on the tube.
- Focal Ratio (f/): This is focal length divided by aperture. A scope with a 1000mm focal length and a 100mm aperture has an f/10 ratio.
- What it means: Lower f/numbers (like f/5) provide wider fields of view, great for big star clusters. Higher f/numbers (like f/10) offer narrower views but higher magnification for planets, which is often easier for beginners.
Mount: The Critical Support System
A wobbly mount ruins any telescope. There are two main kinds.
- Alt-Azimuth (Alt-Az): Moves up-down (altitude) and left-right (azimuth). It’s intuitive, like a camera tripod. Great for visual use.
- Equatorial Mount: Aligned with Earth’s axis, it tracks stars with a single slow-motion control. Essential for serious astrophotography but has a steeper learning curve.
- GoTo Mounts: Computerized versions of either type that can automatically point to thousands of objects. They’re fantastic for learning the sky but add cost and setup time.
Eyepieces and Magnification
The telescope’s magnification is not fixed. You change it by using different eyepieces.
- How to calculate it: Telescope Focal Length รท Eyepiece Focal Length = Magnification. A 1000mm scope with a 25mm eyepiece gives 40x power.
- Beginner Set: Most scopes come with one or two eyepieces. A good starting range is a low-power (25mm-30mm) for finding objects and a medium-power (10mm) for closer looks.
Step-by-Step: How to Choose Your Telescope
- Set a Realistic Budget: Include extra for essential accessories like a better eyepiece or a star map. Don’t spend it all on the optical tube.
- Define Your Primary Interest: Crisp views of Saturn’s rings? Start with a longer focal length refractor or SCT. Faint galaxies? Prioritize a large-aperture reflector.
- Assess Your Portability Needs: Will you carry it to a dark site or just to the backyard? A bulky scope is a unused scope.
- Consider the Learning Curve: Are you tech-savvy and patient with a GoTo system, or do you want a simple point-and-view experience?
- Read Reviews, But Be Smart: Look for consistent feedback on forums and reputable astronomy sites, not just marketing star ratings.
Top Telescope Recommendations for 2024
Here are some consistently well-regarded models across different categories.
Best Overall Beginner Telescope: Celestron StarSense Explorer DX
This series combines good optics with a brilliant smartphone app. You use your phone to literally point the scope to targets, making learning the sky effortless. The 5-inch reflector model offers great aperture and value.
Best for Young Beginners: Orion SkyScanner 100mm
A tabletop reflector that’s fun, simple, and surprisingly powerful for its size. It’s affordable, easy to manage, and provides bright views of the Moon, Jupiter’s moons, and more. It’s a fantastic first step into astronomy.
Best for Planetary Viewing: Celestron Omni XLT 120mm Refractor
On a solid equatorial mount, this 120mm (4.7-inch) refractor delivers stunning, high-contrast views of the Moon and planets. Its longer focal ratio makes it forgiving with simpler eyepieces and provides crisp images.
Best for Deep-Sky on a Budget: AWB Onesky 130mm
This 5-inch reflector is a cult favorite. It’s a collapsible tabletop design that packs huge performance into a portable package. Proceeds support astronomy outreach, and it’s optical quality is exceptional for the price.
Best Computerized GoTo Scope: Celestron NexStar 6SE
An 6-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain that’s the gold standard for user-friendly GoTo scopes. It’s compact, the mount is reliable, and it’s database of objects will keep you busy for years. It’s a serious scope that can last a lifetime.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying
- Buying a “Department Store” Telescope: Avoid scopes advertised by magnification alone (e.g., “600x power!”). They have poor optics and wobbly mounts that lead to frustration.
- Ignoring the Mount: A $500 optic on a $50 mount is a $550 disappointment. The mount is half the telescope.
- Starting Too Big: A massive 10-inch Dobsonian might seem great, but if it’s too heavy to move, you won’t use it. Start manageable.
- Forgetting About Accessories: A planisphere (star chart), red flashlight (to preserve night vision), and a good beginner book are invaluable.
Essential First Accessories
Once you have your scope, these items will improve your experience immediately.
- A Better Eyepiece: The included ones are often basic. A quality 6mm or 8mm “gold-line” eyepiece for planetary viewing is a cheap upgrade.
- A Barlow Lens: This doubles (or triples) the magnification of your existing eyepieces, giving you more options without buying many new ones.
- A Moon Filter: The full Moon is incredibly bright through a telescope. A neutral density filter cuts the glare and improves contrast, letting you see more detail.
- Star Chart or App: Software like Stellarium (free) or SkySafari helps you plan your observing sessions and find targets.
Getting Started: Your First Night Out
- Set Up in Daylight: Practice assembling your scope and aligning the finder during the day. It’s much harder in the dark.
- Start with the Moon: It’s an easy, incredibly detailed target that never disappoints.
- Then Try Jupiter and Saturn: Even a small scope will show Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings. It’s a magical moment.
- Adjust Your Expectations: Views in photos are long-exposure images. Visually, a galaxy will look like a faint gray smudge. The awe comes from knowing what your seeing.
- Be Patient: Allow your eyes to adapt to the dark for at least 20 minutes. Take your time at the eyepiece; subtle details reveal themselves slowly.
FAQ Section
What is a good beginner telescope?
A good beginner telescope is easy to set up, has a stable mount, and offers decent aperture. A 4- to 6-inch Dobsonian reflector or a 70-90mm refractor on a solid Alt-Az mount are excellent choices. Avoid overly complex systems at first.
How much should I spend on my first telescope?
Plan to spend between $200 and $500 for a quality entry-level telescope kit that will provide real enjoyment. You can find usable options below $200, but spending less often means significant compromises on stability and optics.
Can I see planets with a cheap telescope?
Yes, you can. Even an modest telescope will show Jupiter’s four largest moons, Saturn’s rings, and the phases of Venus. The views won’t be like Hubble images, but seeing these with your own eyes is breathtaking.
Is a computerized telescope worth it for a beginner?
It can be, if you’re frustrated by finding objects. It simplifies locating targets, letting you see more quickly. However, it adds cost, requires power, and some learning. A non-computerized scope forces you to learn the sky, which many find rewarding.
What can I see with a 70mm telescope?
A 70mm telescope will show you craters on the Moon, Jupiter’s cloud bands and moons, Saturn’s rings, bright star clusters like the Pleiades, and some of the brighter nebulae (like Orion). It’s a capable starting instrument.
Should I buy a telescope for astrophotography?
Starting with astrophotography is a different, more expensive hobby. For simple Moon and planet photos, many scopes can work with a smartphone adapter. For deep-sky images, you need specific equipment. It’s usually best to start with visual observation first.
Final Thoughts
Choosing your first telescope is exciting. Remember, the best telescope isn’t necessarily the most powerful or expensive one. It’s the one that fits your life, your interests, and your budget, leading to many nights of enjoyment. By focusing on solid aperture, a stable mount, and realistic expectations, you’ll make a choice you won’t regret. The universe is waiting, and with the right tool, you can start your journey to see it clearly tonight.