To help you save a little money on your chosen telescope, we not only list the cheapest prices today in this article, but we also have a variety of separate articles on the best deals right now. Check out today's deals on Celestron , Skywatcher , Meade , and Orion models. If, on the other hand, you're looking for an instrument for a young astronomer, be sure to check out our pick of the very best telescopes for kids.
A decent-sized aperture and good quality optics for the price, the Orion SkyMax 90 is set up to make astronomy easy for the beginner.
The Orion SkyMax 90 also lacks slow motion controls, which makes fine tuning and centering targets a bit of a hassle — skywatchers have to resort to a "point and aim" method, with the help of the EZ Finder II reflex red dot finder.
Also in the box is Starry Night software to help you choose your targets and pinpoint them in the night sky, free lifetime tech support through Orion as well as two three-element 10 mm and 25 mm eyepieces. The supplied accessories offer magnifications of x and 50x. For a beginner's telescope, the sights were breathtaking and boast clarity and contrast. The surface of the moon and Saturn 's rings are particular highlights — and, as expected, no color fringing is evident around bright objects in the field of view.
Of course, this is to be expected with a Maksutov-Cassegrain design, which also supplied very good views of Jupiter and its largest moons: Ganymede, Europa, Callisto and Io. The Orion SkyMax 90 employs a sturdy desktop mount, which swings along the axes of altitude and azimuth, so skywatchers will need to ensure that they use a sturdy table for steady observations of the night sky.
We discovered that slewing is a very smooth process with this telescope, but should you need one, Orion also offer this telescope with a tripod. Orion has supplied a clear manual that explains how to use the reflector as well as attach and calibrate the EZ Finder II reflex red dot finder. However, given that the telescope comes assembled straight out of the box, it's unlikely the skywatcher will struggle with assembling and using it.
The ultimate "grab-and-go" telescope! While a great telescope for beginners, the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT can be enjoyed by intermediate skywatchers, too — especially those who want to spend less time setting up and more time observing. Assembly takes less than 20 minutes. To use the tech, all the skywatcher needs to do is download the StarSense app and take a smartphone image through the eyepiece and the app works out which stars are in the telescope's field of view to calculate the astronomer's orientation.
Moving to Jupiter , we made use of the 10 mm eyepiece to view the gas giant. Views are clear, but you'll need a selection of eyepieces and filters in order to pick out the coloration of the atmospheric bands. The planet's largest moons are visible as clear, sharp points of light.
Views of the moon, Venus and the Beehive Cluster Messier 44 are also pleasing, with good clarity. The beauty of the Celestron StarSense series is that you can read up on the literature offered by the app for each target you observe. Slewing from one target to another, we found that the StarSense Explorer LT is a sturdy piece of kit and operates smoothly. One minor drawback is that skywatchers need to manually push the telescope as a motorized mount is not supplied.
This telescope is unlike anything else on the market: its smart design means that it doesn't require the use of finderscopes and eyepieces, instead making use of a Sony CMOS complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor and smartphone navigation to reveal views and images of the night sky. A free download of the Stellina app is included in the hefty price tag, along with an instruction manual.
The database features targets to explore. Given the wide-angle sights the Stellina offers, this telescope isn't ideal for studying the planets, although views are fair. Instead, it excels in providing images of bright deep-sky targets and the surface of the moon. Star clusters, select nebulas and galaxies are within easy reach through the optical system and we are, in particular, blown away by views of the Andromeda Galaxy Messier 31 through this smart telescope.
Decent clarity can be had, while 6. While more of a telescope for imaging, the Stellina is a fantastic instrument for group observing, allowing users to connect up to ten smartphones or tablets. It features a built-in light pollution filter, offers astoundingly precise tracking and adapts well to changes in weather conditions. It's pricey, but for the sophisticated technology and sturdy build, we expect no less.
This great package from Celestron features a five-inch mm aperture telescope at a competitive price, making it perfect for those hunting for an instrument that allows the skywatcher to dabble in observing the solar system and deep-sky targets without investing a great amount of money.
The Celestron PowerSeeker EQ comes with two eyepieces: a 20 mm and 4mm, which work with the optical system to produce magnifications of 50x and x. Skywatchers will need to be comfortable with using an equatorial mount, the slow-motion controls and have polar aligning knowhow before considering the PowerSeeker EQ.
Once they are, this reflector serves as a reliable instrument for observing — and more so if the observer collimates the mirrors regularly. Once this is achieved, the optical system offers impressive celestial sights.
The manual equatorial mount is simple and does the job, but the aluminum tripod is a little shaky so we recommend steadying the instrument during your observations. For the money, however, the flaws with this reflector are minor given the low price point. The 5. The Orion StarBlast 6i IntelliScope makes use of a couple of high-resolution digital encoders, which help the skywatcher to locate and identify objects in the night sky.
This portable telescope doesn't operate quite like your standard GoTo, where the mount slews to the observer's chosen target. Instead, the user needs to manually push the tube and with the guidance of directional arrows on the supplied Computerized Object Locator's COL backlit display. There are a little over 14, targets to explore, and we found that we were able to push the tube smoothly from one target to another.
When it came to observing with the telescope, the optics stood up pretty well under a night sky tinged with a touch of light pollution. The rings of Saturn, the rugged surface of the moon and the atmospheric bands of Jupiter stood out particularly well, with no major optical distortion or defects visible. Observations through the field of view are pin-sharp, with a selection of wispy nebulas and bright galaxies such as the Pinwheel Galaxy Messier in Ursa Major within reach of the modest aperture.
A good amount of the targets listed within the COL's database, are observable through this light guzzler but be aware that you'll need further accessories to make the most of the optical system. The latter of which held up well when moving between very low magnitude stars. Try these great alternatives instead:. The optical system of the Celestron NexStar Evolution 9. With no interference or optical defects in the field of view, this high-quality instrument offers sights of a wide selection of astronomical targets with impressive clarity and contrast.
Supplied with the setup is a red dot finderscope, two eyepieces — a 13 mm and 40 mm — and an international AC adapter, an attachable camera and hand control for a seamless AutoAlign process. The NexStar Evolution 9. Built into the mount is the telescope's very own Wi-Fi network, allowing the instrument to connect and control via the Celestron SkyPortal app downloadable for free on iOS and Android.
Being motorized, the mount is capable of tracking objects as they move across the sky, making the NexStar Evolution 9. If you're looking for a complete high-definition tour of the universe, then we fully recommend this GoTo to seasoned skywatchers with decent budgets.
The only downside is that the NexStar Evolution 9. The SynScan AZ hand controller offers information on over 40, astronomical objects, which includes the most complete catalogs Messier, NGC, IC and SAO of deep-sky and solar system targets, while the astronomer is supplied with everything they need for a successful night: reasonable quality star diagonal, 2x Barlow with a camera adaptor, 6x30 finderscope, stainless steel tripod and accessory tray.
Assembling the instrument is easy and, given the weight of Skywatchers have the choice of powering the Servo Drive with 8 AA batteries or a 12V power supply — with batteries having a tendency to drain quickly in cold conditions, we recommend investing in the latter for uninterrupted observations with the SynScan technology.
Alignment is a breeze, making use of two stars to set the instrument up, but beginners may need practice in getting this just right — we recommend becoming acquainted with the Skymax during daylight hours, while ensuring that you read the supplied manual from cover to cover. In terms of optical prowess, we don't have any complaints — especially given what's offered in the telescope's package. We can fit a waxing gibbous moon phase in the field of view and, after tweaking the focuser, the craters and lunar mare are brought into exquisite focus, contrast and clarity.
A moon filter offered even better sights. Slewing over to star-forming region, the Orion Nebula Messier 42 , is also picked out with ease with the 5-inch mm aperture — it appears as a dusty patch of light with the Trapezium Cluster's member stars dazzling with brilliant clarity at the nebula's heart.
A minor niggle is the shaky stainless steel tripod, so we recommend supporting the setup by hand while slewing and in windy conditions. The first type of telescope using a refractor mechanism, and it features a shape that most people are familiar with. The front of this product has a large lens, and as the lens collects light, it beams it into the mirror that is positioned in the back of the telescope. Reflector telescopes operate differently than their refractor counterparts, and they have a mirror built into the end of the tube.
The purpose of the mirror is to gather light, which is sent to another mirror before it hits the eyepiece. We recommend reflector telescopes for viewing faint objects, and they offer images of a higher quality than refractor telescopes.
Unlike the other styles, this telescope features two mirror, which are located in the front and back. The two mirrors work together with the lens to produce a high-quality image. For consumers who want to avoid maintenance, a refractor telescope is a great choice to consider. Refractor and compound scopes are great for observing birds and similar Earth objects, and to view faint objects in the deep sky, compound and reflector telescopes are best.
For astrophotography, a compound scope is a great choice, and if you just want to get the most value for your money, we recommend reflector scopes. The process of finding a great telescope to buy should be fun, and to get the best value, you need to understand the basics.
The first major component is the aperture, and it represents the diameter of the lens or mirror in the scope. In almost every situation, a bigger aperture is better.
With a bigger focal length, objects will look much bigger than they would with a smaller length. Not too long ago, all telescopes required manual operation, and there was no way to automatically set them for specific constellations of stars.
Today, you can find a variety of electronic scopes, and with the help of a built-in computer, these telescopes can automatically find certain objects in the night sky.
The decision to purchase a telescope is huge, and if you choose the right product, it can completely change your life and how you view life on Earth. Before you find a product to purchase, you should know how it works. The main purpose of all types of telescopes is to collect light, and each type of scope collects light in a different way than the rest.
By collecting light, telescopes allow you to unlock the finer details of objects in the night sky, and Galileo said it best when he chose to describe telescopes as tools for revealing the invisible. When it comes to gathering light, bigger is almost always better, and a four-inch mirror is four times better at gathering light than a two-inch mirror. After purchasing their first telescope, many beginners want to know if they need to purchase additional items to make it work.
Once your new telescope has been removed from the packaging and set up with the included components, it should be ready to aim at the sky. However, there are some high-end optics that are sold without a tripod, mount and accessories. If you decide to purchase a refractor telescope, you might want to consider buying a star diagonal with it because it will help to bend the light from your target object, which makes it easier to see certain things in the sky.
All types of scopes use mirrors or lenses, and compound scopes use a combination of mirrors and lenses. The refractor style allows you to gaze into the heavens with lenses, and although most refractor telescopes use at least two lenses, some have as many as four. Reflector telescopes use mirrors to gather and focus light onto an eyepiece, and out of the many different reflector styles available, the type that is most common is the Newtonian reflector.
Catadioptric or compound scopes use a combination of mirrors and lenses, and the two popular designs are Maksutov-Cassegrain and Schmidt-Cassegrain designs. The market is filled with telescopes of different sizes, which can make it difficult to know what size is best for your needs. After purchasing a new telescope and using it for the first time, a lot of people completely overlook eyepieces, which are important pieces of equipment.
When shopping for eyepieces, you have many options to choose from, and the best products are very comfortable to look through.
Another piece of equipment that is regularly overlooked is the mount, and every telescope needs a solid foundation to support it.
Many modern telescopes are sold as complete systems and come with a mount, but depending on the product, you might want to consider getting a better mount. If you have a lot of money to spend, consider buying a motorized mount. A mount with a motor is also likely to be controlled by a computer, and it will allow you to program the mount for specific objects in the sky.
Many consumers purchase a new telescope and completely overlook the accessories. A finder is something that every amateur astronomer should have, and it will allow you to point your telescope at specific objects in the sky. A finder is a great accessory to have, and there are three major styles to choose from.
The next best finder is the reflect sight, and it projects a tiny red laser towards the sky. It is a great first telescope for kids and families and may be used to further your kid's STEM education. The whole family will be able to see craters, valleys, and mountains on the Moon in detail.
It also includes MoonMap which will enable you to learn the names of craters and other Moon features you see while using the telescope. Celestron AstroMaster EQ is another great telescope for beginners. The mm 5 inches glass optic objective lens is great for the high-quality view, and the package includes fully-coated glass optics, a sturdy and lightweight frame, two eyepieces, a StarPointer red dot finderscope, and an adjustable tripod. If you are just starting to observe the sky and are looking for the best, you can start with the AstroMaster EQ telescope.
If you're a lazy stargazer, NexStar can quickly locate more than With the 8-inch primary mirror, you'll be able to get a direct view of several deep space objects. It's portable and lightweight, easy to assemble and break down. Whether you're an amateur astronomer or a professional observer, this telescope will let you capture the bright galaxies.
Its tracking system automatically finds the objects. You can see nebulae, planets, and more with its GPS sensor. It has a 7. It comes with a Sony GPS receiver, which you can use to do star alignment for your observation precisely and effortlessly. NexStar 6SE is one of the most popular telescopes on Amazon.
A prime reason for this is the fact that NexStar 6SE is the ideal device for both astronomy enthusiasts and experienced observers. It has 5. Insert a 25mm eyepiece and you'll have a magnification of 24x i. If you now but a 6mm eyepiece in the same telescope, you'll have a magnification of x i.
However, although in theory this could go on for ever e. We are also limited, sadly, by the amount of magnification we can usefully use due to out swirling atmosphere. When looking at a manufacturer's claims on magnification, keep the following points in mind:.
Trying to pick your first telescope but feeling overwhelmed..? Generally speaking, the best refractors for seeing planets will give a better view per mm of aperture than a reflector.
This is because there's no secondary mirror to obstruct the light, and the light focussing power of top-end lenses those known as apochromatic , or APO is more effective than from a reflector's mirror.
APO refractors are shorter in length than lower quality achromatic refractors and so are more expensive. They are so much better for viewing planets as the detail they bring out at higher magnification is not subject to chromatic aberrations. Indeed, the difference is so marked that one site says an 80mm refractor of high quality optics will show you more than a mm reflector of low quality.
The downside to that is a scene moving very quickly through your eyepiece. Trying to keep up with that movement without an equatorial mount will prove very frustrating! The Orion StarBlast is the only telescope in our list with an alt-azimuth mount which keeps the price low for a wide-aperture refractor scope.
However, it's included in the list because it does have fine controls which make it easier to keep the planet you're looking at centred in your eyepiece. Ideally though, if your budget can stretch to it and you want to see those finer planetary details, make sure to get an equatorial or computer-controlled go-to mount. Maksutov-Cassegrain MKC telescopes are perhaps 'the daddy' of telescopes for viewing the planets.
They are a variation on the Schmidt-Cassegrain design which combines both a mirror and lens in a sealed unit with a very long focal length - but in a much shorter tube. This makes them very 'slow' and perhaps the best kind of telescope for studying the planets. For the current price on Amazon, click on the telescope's picture below or the links above.
Mount : Equatorial with slow motion controls. Current Price : Click here for current price. Maximum Theoretical Magnification : x 5mm eyepiece.
Likely Useful Maximum Magnification : 98x 7mm eyepiece. Our Rating :. Ideal For : Those wanting a cheap telescope to see planets, or for children wanting their first taste of seeing planets through a telescope.
Mount : AltAzimuth with slow motion controls. Maximum Theoretical Magnification : x 4mm eyepiece. Likely Useful Maximum Magnification : x 5mm eyepiece.
Our complete AstroView 90mm Refractor Telescope review.
0コメント