Best Computerized Telescope for Astrophotography
A computerized telescope is an indispensable item to have if you have a passion in astrophotography. These modern tools are designed to help us track different celestial and land-based objects without the need to use a star navigation map. The also save us the hassle of having to tracking these objects manually.
If you are a seasoned astronomer looking to go beyond observing objects and you want to begin documenting everything you see, then you need a computerized telescope for astrophotography. In this post, we are going to focus on the best computerized telescopes for astrophotography available on the market today. So, let’s get started.
Best Computerized Telescope for Astrophotography-Our Top Picks
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Celestron- NexStar 6SE Telescope- Computerized Telescope for Beginners and Advanced Users
Celestron has a longstanding reputation of making high-quality telescopes and the NexStar 6SE Telescope is no different. This telescope is made for astronomers looking for a quality computerized telescope will help them grow their hobby.
Featuring a computerized GoTo mount, this telescope identifies celestial objects and tracks them as they move. The SkyAlign alignment technology makes setting up this telescope a breeze so it’s a good option for beginners. Besides, it’s as easy to break down as it’s easy to assemble.
With a generous 6-inch aperture, this telescope gathers enough light to provide brilliant images in any lighting condition. It’s fairly light for convenient portability and comes with a sturdy tripod for snug viewing. Furthermore, it’s compatible with a wide range of high-tech accessories among them the HD pro accessory for astrophotography. Overall, it’s a powerful tool that’s very simple to operate.
Features
- Computerized GoTo mount
- Bonus free starry night software
- Easy to set up and break down
- Data base with 40,000 celestial objects
- 6-inch aperture
- SkyAlign alignment technology
- Compatible with multiple high-tech accessories
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Celestron NexStar Evolution Telescope
The NexStar Evolution 6 is a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with built-in Wi-Fi. Through the Celestron mobile app, you can operate this telescope from the comfort of your tablet or Smartphone and explore the great universe.
This telescope is a well-rounded instrument that’s very easy to use. Featuring StarBright XLT optical coatings, it offers bright, clear and sharp views all through. For astrophotography, you can simply attach your DSLR camera and capture images of the objects you are watching.
With telescope, you don’t have to worry about the batteries getting depleted. It has a long-life built-in battery that can last up to 10 hours when fully charged. It also comes with a GoTo mount which identifies and tracks the celestial objects for you. To top is all, the telescope has a SkyAlign technology for easy set up and break down.
Features
- Computerized GoTo mount
- StarBright XLT optical coatings
- Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Compact and portable Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
- Simple to use
- StarPointer finder scope
- 2 1.25” Plossl eyepieces
- SkyAlign technology
- Wi-Fi controllable
- Compatible with DSLR camera
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Celestron- NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope
The NexStar 130SLT is your ideal option if you are looking for a compact and portable computerized telescope. It has a large 130mm aperture that provides bright and detailed views of any celestial object. Since it’s fully computerized, it spots and tracks the celestial objects for you.
This telescope has a Newtonian reflector optical design which produces brilliant images over a wide viewing angle. The user-friendly design makes it ideal for both adults and kids. Plus, it’s suitable for viewing land-based objects during the day and deep-sky objects at night.
Another good thing about this telescope is the quick and straightforward set up. Thanks to the Celestron’s SkyAlign technology, you’ll have your telescope ready for use in minutes. Besides that, this instrument is packed with 4000 celestial objects database and features a detailed and friendly tour mode for beginners.
Features
- SkyAlign technology
- Compact and portable
- Newtonian reflector optical design
- Large 130mm aperture
- Computerized GoTo mount
- Bright views and wide field of view
- 2x Barlow lens
- Two eyepieces: 25mm and 9mm
- 4000 celestial objects database
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Celestron Advanced VX 8” EdgeHD SCT GoTo Telescope
When it comes to reliability and versatility, it’s hard to go wrong with the Celestron Advanced VX 8” EdgeHD SCT GoTo Telescope. It has a high-quality optical design that provides excellent views of the moon, stars and planets. It’s also a great instrument for viewing terrestrial objects such as a birds and wildlife during the day.
This telescope is built for astrophotography. It has an advanced 8” EdgeHD optical tube and a fine-tubed VX Equatorial mount for smooth photo capturing. It also comes with a 30lb payload that you can use to stack extra astrophotography accessories like cameras and guide scopes.
Another impressive feature about this instrument is the ease of use. It lets you track different objects for long session without causing eye strain or fatigue. It also comes with a 9×50 finder scope for easy target spotting and a star diagonal that gives you a snug viewing position when you are viewing objects that are very high in the sky.
Features
- Aluminum optical tube
- 40mm eyepieces
- 9×50 finder scope
- Star diagonal for comfortable viewing
- StarBright XLT optical coatings
- 8-inch aperture
- 30lb payload for stacking extra accessories
- Fine-tubed VX Equatorial mount
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Celestron Advanced VX 6in Schmidt- Cassegrain Telescope 12079
The Celestron Advanced VX 6in Schmidt- Cassegrain Telescope is an excellent option if you are a seasoned astronomer. It has a wide 150mm aperture that collects optimum light needed for bright and clear images. It also offers 40% more light gathering ability than a 5” telescope. Not to mention the StarBright coatings which facilitate better light transmission for brilliant views.
With the integer gear ratios and the permanently programmable Periodic error correction, this telescope removes recurring track errors so the worm gear stays error-free. The new motors included provide better tracking performance and give you more power to overcome all load imbalances. Above all, the telescope comes with an auto guider port for comfortable long exposure astrophotography and a 6×30 finder scope for smooth target identification.
Features
- 6”/150mm aperture
- StarBright coatings
- Integer gear ratios and permanently programmable Periodic error correction
- Error-free worm gear
- Auto guider port
- German Equatorial mount
- f/10 focal ratio
- 6×30 finder scope
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Celestron- NexStar 8SE Telescope- Computerized Telescope for Beginners and Advanced Users
Next on our list is the Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope. This is a computerized telescopes that works well with all users, beginners and seasoned users alike. This telescope is fairly light and portable. It’s a great instrument for both home and on-the-go use.
Featuring a fully Automated Goto Mount, it identifies objects and tracks them automatically. The 8-inch aperture gathers optimum light for bright and clear image production, while the StarBright XLT coatings increase light transmission for high-quality views. This instrument also has a StarPointer finder scope that helps you locate objects accurately.
When it comes to the computerized features, this telescope has a 40,000 celestial objects database, an auto guider port for snug long exposure astrophotography and a SkyAlign that enables you to set up the telescope in a matter of seconds.
Features
- Simple to set up and break down
- Fully automated GoTo mount
- 8-inch aperture
- StarPointer finder scope
- Auto guider port for long exposure astrophotography
- 40,000 celestial objects database
- Computer controllable
- StarBright XLT coatings
- Bonus free starry night software
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Celestron CPC 1100 GPS XLT Computerized 11” Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
The Celestron CPC 110) is a high-end computerized telescope designed to take your astronomy views a notch higher. It has a fully computerized dual fork arm Altazimuth mount for smooth operation.
This telescope is made with ease of use in mind. First, it has a convenient remote hand control holder that allows for hands-free viewing. Then it has a 9×50 finder scope that helps you to find objects accurately and a star diagonal which gives you a snug viewing position when you are viewing objects that are very high in the sky.
Moreover, it features Celestron’s premium Starbright XLT coatings to increase light transmission. This provides bright and clear images in all situations. On top of that, this instrument has a large 11” aperture to gather optimum light needed for brilliant image production. For added convenience, this telescope mounts easily on the tripod even at night. To top it all, it has an ergonomic and manageable weight design for easy portability.
Features
- 11” Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
- Starbright XLT coatings
- Easy to set up and remove
- Heavy-duty tripod
- Fully computerized dual fork arm Altazimuth mount
- Remote hand control
- Ergonomic design
- 9×50 finder scope
- Star diagonal for comfortable viewing
How to Choose Best Computerized Telescope for Astrophotography
Aperture
The quality of the images that you get from the telescope will be determined by the size of the aperture. So, it’s very important that you pay keen attention to this feature. The larger the aperture, the better. It will give you crisp images with greater resolution and better color accuracy.
Mount
The type of mount that the telescope comes with can either make or break your viewing experience. Even when you get the most expensive computerized telescope with the best features, it will be of no use it doesn’t have a stable base that will keep the images stabilized. Go for telescopes with a GoTo mount as they are highly stable and reliable.
Portability
If you intend to use the telescope away from home, it’s important that you take a closer look at its weight. Generally, powerful telescopes have wide apertures which makes them big and bulky. To get the most out of your telescope, look for a model that’s compact and lightweight enough to be easy to carry around. This way, you’ll be able to use it to navigate the night sky while at home and when you are out camping or on an adventure trip.
Focal Length
The other factor you should consider is the focal length. A telescope with a longer focal length provides greater magnification and narrow angle of view. Choose a focal length according to the type and size of objects that you are more interested in.
Cell Phone Attachment
Today, phone photography has revolutionized the field of photography. As many people use their smartphones for photography, we should also use phones for astrophotography. So, a telescope with a smart phone attachment will help you take quality space photographs.
Lens Coatings
Telescopes lenses can highly benefit from high-quality coatings. Good-quality lens coatings makes the telescope perform well during the night as well as during the day. They improve light transmission for bright image views. It also makes the brightness of stars and other celestial objects more vibrant which is pretty essential for astrophotography.
FAQs on the Best Computerized Telescope for Astrophotography
- Are computerized telescopes worth it?
Absolutely. Computerized telescopes are designed to automatically detect objects and track them as they move. This feature is particularly important for a beginner astronomer who might feel overwhelmed using a manual telescope. These telescopes are very easy to use. You don’t need any technical knowledge or previous experience to operate one.
- What size do I need to photograph galaxies?
To take good pictures of the galaxies, you’ll need to use a telescope with an aperture size of 8-inches or more. The telescope should also have quality lens coatings for bright and sharp image views.
- What type of telescope is Dobsonian?
A Dobsonian telescope is a reflecting telescope which utilizes a mirror instead of a lens. It has a similar design as a Newtonian telescope but it has some specific features such as an altazimuth mount and a thinner mirror.
- Can a Dobsonian telescope be used for Astrophotography?
Yes. You can use a Dobsonian telescope for astrophotography. These telescopes are great for deep-sky observation as they provide vibrant views of the stars and other bright objects. If you are looking for the best telescope for taking photos of bright planets, stars and the moon, a Dobsonian telescope is the way to go.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have found this buying guide helpful. Remember that what you intend to use the computerized telescope for will play a huge role in which model you choose. With a lot of models available on the market, use our guide above and choose the telescope that works best for your astrophotography needs.