Top telescopes for beginners

At All-Star Telescope we like to say that the best beginner telescope is the one that you'll actually use. It has to be easy enough to use and light enough to manage.

Best for beginners 3. Best budget telescope 4. Best value enthusiast 5. Best premium 6. Best for planets 7. Best for portability 8.

Top telescopes for beginners

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy a product through the links on this article, we may earn a commission. Gazing up at the stars can spark a love for astronomy in kids that lasts a lifetime. But the quest begins with a single step — choosing the right telescope. In the world of astronomy, telescopes are the magic portals that unlock the wonders of the universe. How we made our list of best telescopes for kids : The following guide was curated by the seasoned star-spotters at Astronomy Magazine. We may earn a commission if you purchase telescopes from the links below. However, whether or not these telescopes are available for purchase from a partner is not why they are on this list. What to consider when purchasing a telescope for kids : When choosing the best telescope for the kids in your life, you generally want to find a balance between simplicity, durability, and the ability to actually see celestial objects clearly and easily. Below are some of the most important considerations and recommendations to think about when purchasing a telescope for kids:. Each variety offers unique benefits, from the easy-to-use refractors to the more advanced computerized models.

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Beginner telescopes are ideal for learning the ropes of exploring the night sky and are designed to be fun and easy to use. So, if you're looking to take your first steps into the wonderful hobby of astronomy, look no further, you've come to the right place to find your first telescope to begin your journey! There's a lot to learn, but OPT will be by your side at every step of the way. Before you jump into the world of astronomy, you'll need to know the basics. Below you will find an informational video on the basic types of telescopes. This short video will help you get a better idea of what type you should select for your first telescope. When starting out in this hobby, it all can be a little daunting and confusing with terms like Alt-Az, EQ, Catadioptric, Focal Length, and much more terminology common in the industry.

The best telescopes reveal the wonder of the solar system and beyond, but they don't come cheap. Before you delve deep into your pockets, you'll want to know what you're spending your money on. If you want to spy the craters of the lunar surface, spot the rings around Saturn and gaze deep into the Pinwheel galaxy, you'll need to know the strengths and weaknesses for observing night sky objects for each telescope. That's why we've covered a range of the very best beginner telescopes to get you up and running with minimal set-up and fuss, all the way up to the most sophisticated professional-level scope that should last astronomy veterans for years to come. But how do you know which telescope is right for you and which accessories that ship with the scopes do you really need to achieve the best viewing quality? We've rounded up the best models depending on your skill level and budget and our expert team have got hands-on with the telescopes themselves so we can vouch for their quality and build. Learn how we do this in our how we test section below. Whether you need a travel-friendly telescope, want to share a table-top model for use with the kids or fancy investing in one of the best computerized catadioptrics you can buy we have you covered.

Top telescopes for beginners

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? When folks think of what they love about summer, they tend to focus on what they can do in the sun — picnics , swimming at the beach, lemonade stands. After all that daytime fun, though, there are lots of great things to do on summer nights after the Sun goes down.

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The distant Andromeda Galaxy is also well within reach with a beginner telescope. If this isn't the right telescope for your needs, but you're still after a Sky-Watcher scope, check out our Sky-Watcher deals hub to see if a different model is more suited to your requirements. Finder scope: This comes included with a telescope and is normally mounted on the telescope itself. They can be a huge benefit to beginners helping them quickly find objects that they would not otherwise see. My first scope, still-in-use, is the Explore Scientific First Light mm refractor. Power adapters and batteries are typically not included with most telescopes and mounts, so be sure to add one to your cart to avoid a frustrating wait when you discover the need during your first use. If you want a more traditional experience of stargazing, we'd recommend going for something else, but the Unistellar eQuinox 2 is practically unparalleled with how easy it is to use as long as you can operate a smartphone. Weight: Colin Rosemont. While this may affect portability, it's manageable by carrying a portable power bank or station with you, and it doesn't have to be a deal-breaker. The Skymax , weighing She was elected as a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in Focal length: A telescope's tube length. Typically, reflectors are better for viewing faint, deep-sky objects like nebulae and galaxies, whereas refractors are popular for observing objects like planets or moons. There are plenty of stores out there that dabble in skywatching equipment as well.

Looking to buy your first telescope but don't know where to start?

We should note that some compromises have been made to the build quality of the CElestron Astro Fi in order to keep the cost and its weight down. Be aware, taking photographs with your beginner telescope will require a few more pieces and a little more skill. This means the telescope moves up and down and left to right making it intuitive to use, and there is no complicated polar alignment to worry about either. Best budget telescope. Showing 37 of 37 products. Gemma currently works for the European Space Agency on content, communications and outreach, and was formerly the content director of Space. This would be an ideal first telescope for a budding young astronomer. The trade-off is that this type of telescope generally does not do as well with faint objects in the sky. Collapsed down, it's easily transported and set up quickly in a dark-sky location. Best for astrophotography Our favorite pick for astrophotographers, this telescope is a great all-rounder, suitable for capturing everything from nebulas to galaxies. Whatever reflector you choose, these telescopes are excellent for low-magnification targets such as galaxies and many nebulas. At a certain point, zooming in degrades image quality.