Top rated telescopes for beginners

A good telescope needn't cost the Earth. It is possible to explore the heavens with an inexpensive telescope, provided it's well-made. Are budget telescopes good? Like most questions about astronomy equipment, it depends what you want to use it for!

Few things are as awe-inspiring as being under a clear night sky, looking up, and gazing at a seemingly infinite array of stars overhead. So we rounded up 14 telescopes, and, after months of holding star parties, we think the Celestron NexStar 5SE is the best telescope for a curious amateur. It gathers enough light for you to view the best features of our solar system, and it provides enough power for you to begin exploring deep-sky objects. In addition, this model has an electronic GPS database preloaded with almost 40, celestial objects, so after you calibrate the scope, it can scan the skies for you. This electronic telescope lets you program it to find objects in the night sky automatically, saving you the effort of reading star charts and manuals.

Top rated telescopes for beginners

Best for beginners 3. Best budget telescope 4. Best value enthusiast 5. Best premium 6. Best for planets 7. Best for portability 8. Best for astrophotographers 9. Best smart telescope Best for deep space Best for kids

If you are or are looking for a telescope for a budding astronomer or a casual viewer, the Celestron FirstScope could be the ideal choice. Delivery working days.

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.

Few things are as awe-inspiring as being under a clear night sky, looking up, and gazing at a seemingly infinite array of stars overhead. So we rounded up 14 telescopes, and, after months of holding star parties, we think the Celestron NexStar 5SE is the best telescope for a curious amateur. It gathers enough light for you to view the best features of our solar system, and it provides enough power for you to begin exploring deep-sky objects. In addition, this model has an electronic GPS database preloaded with almost 40, celestial objects, so after you calibrate the scope, it can scan the skies for you. This electronic telescope lets you program it to find objects in the night sky automatically, saving you the effort of reading star charts and manuals. This manual telescope a type some people prefer offers quality optics and design touches that far exceed its price. It works best on a tabletop. Though a bit unwieldy at times, this model can view dimmer objects in the deeper reaches of space. This inexpensive telescope integrates smartphone app connectivity in a clever way, opening up the skies for beginners. The Celestron NexStar 5SE —our pick for the best amateur telescope—is a Schmidt-Cassegrain scope, which means it uses both lenses and mirrors in a relatively compact package.

Top rated telescopes for beginners

The list in brief 2. Best traditional telescope : Celestron Inspire AZ 4. Best smart telescope : Unistellar eQuinox 2 5. Budget smart telescope : Vaonis Vespera 6. Best for deep space : Sky-Watcher Skyliner P 7. Budget motorized telescope : Celestron Astro Fi mm 8. How we test. Gazing up the night sky at the stars and planets can be a wonderful thing to do.

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We particularly liked the StarSense Explorer phone dock, which offers both a smartphone holder and a mirror. EdgeHD optical design outperforms Schmidt-Cassegrain. Below you will find an informational video on the basic types of telescopes. Reasons to avoid - Finderscope not supplied. A well-made yet affordable telescope can still give you amazing views of the heavens. Focal length: A telescope's tube length. While refractors use lenses, and reflectors make use of mirrors, to create and magnify an image, the catadioptric makes use of both lenses and mirrors for high-definition and superior views. It's an 80mm diameter Maksutov design containing a combination of lenses and mirrors. As with our Astronomers Without Borders budget pick, the Sky-Watcher Classic Dobsonian Telescope does not come with any computerized components to assist in locating and tracking stars in the sky. Reasons to avoid - Slight false color in optics. This is one of the best times to see details in the many craters on the moon, which is guaranteed to impress beginners of all ages.

This is a guide to help you learn about some of the best telescopes for beginners, all of which are available at highpointscientific. Choosing the perfect telescope is the first step in a hobby that can last a lifetime.

Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more. The supplied red dot finder is intuitive to use and the mm focal length is a good compromise for observing both Solar System and deep-sky targets. Focal ratio: Also known as the telescope's speed. While the NexStar Evolution 9. With complete editorial independence, Space. Our expert review:. A collection of accessories comes with the telescope, including 20mm and 4mm eyepieces, a 2x Barlow lens, a smartphone adapter and a certified solar filter. As I mentioned earlier, there are larger versions available as well if you handle the extra weight and size. Alignment correction can be tricky. Easy to use with bright optics, although it's not the most portable option. During our Celestron Inspire AZ review , we did detect some false color which we'd expect at this price and some blurring in the field of view. For a beginner, the absence of such a system can be either a blessing or a curse. We chose the 5SE as the best telescope for most beginners because of its size, functionality, and cost. Gazing up at the stars can spark a love for astronomy in kids that lasts a lifetime. Moreover, its long focal length provides substantial magnification for detailed views of planets and other nearby objects.