Best Telescope Stargazing and Astronomy
Are you looking for the best telescope stargazing and astronomy? Look no further. We have put together a comprehensive guide on telescopes for stargazing and astronomy to help you find the most ideal model for your needs.
Telescopes are essential for watching the galaxy and for astronomical purposes. They get us closer to the terrestrial objects and give us better views of these objects no matter how far they are. Besides having a telescope of your own allows you to explore the universe from the comfort of your balcony or garden.
Present-day telescopes for stargazing and astronomy and more advanced to provide the best views of the sky at night. Our roundup covers an array of high-powered models suitable for people of all skills and budgets. Further on, we will take you through the key factors you should consider when making a purchase.
So, whether you are a beginner buying the first telescope for stargazing and astronomy, or a professional looking for a newer model, here are the very best models suitable for you. Let’s have a look.
Best Telescope Stargazing and Astronomy-Our Top Picks
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CELESTRON StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Telescope
Celestron is a household name in the field of optics. It has a reputation for making superior quality optical products and the StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Telescope is not any different.
It is built with ease of use in mind to accommodate all astronomers, including beginners. The high-quality 114mm Newtonian reflector comes with highly reflective coatings with enough light-gathering ability. The coatings also boost light transmission for optimal clarity of the moon, planets, and the Pleiades Open Star Cluster.
Another thing that makes it the best telescope stargazing and astronomy is smartphone compatibility. It is compatible with iPhone 6 and up and most of the new Android phones for smartphone photography.
Features
- High-quality 114mm Newtonian reflector
- Starsense Explorer app
- Manual altazimuth mount
- Patented Starsense sky recognition technology
- Smartphone compatibility
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Good value for the price
- Good image quality
Cons
- Quality and durability issues
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Celestron – AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope
If you are looking for a budget telescope for astronomy and stargazing, look no further than the Celestron – AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope. It is designed as a versatile starter scope that can be used for viewing both astronomical and terrestrial objects.
The telescope provides bright and clear views of objects with stunning detail. This is made possible by the massive 70mm aperture that collects as much light as possible. Additionally, the optics are fully coated with anti-reflection coatings to improve light transmission, color rendition, and contrast.
For extra convenience, the telescope is outfitted with a manual azimuth mount that makes finding and tracking objects quick and straightforward. It also boasts a dovetail plate that allows easy installation on the tripod with no tools.
The other noteworthy features included are a built-in erecting prism, star pointer finder scope, and a 1.25” barrel and eyepiece holder.
Features
- 70mm refractor OTA
- 10 and 20mm eyepieces
- Antireflection fully coated optics
- Star pointer red-dot finder
- Altitude control handle
- 25” rack-and-pinion focuser
- 900mm focal length
Pros
- Ease of use
- Tripod included
- Affordable
- Quality construction
- Easy assembly
Cons
- Heavy
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Sky Watcher Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor
The Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor telescope comes with all the advanced features you would expect. It can be used for a wide range of applications including an astrograph for sky photography, a terrestrial spotting scope, or a telephoto lens.
Built with a doublet apochromatic lens system and extra-low dispersion glass, the telescope eliminates virtually all chromatic aberrations for clear and bright images. Furthermore, it has proprietary anti-rejection Metallic High Transmission Coatings (MHC) on all air-to-glass surfaces to ensure high levels of light transmission.
This telescope comes with a 2” diameter focuser and 8×50 RA erect-image finderscope. It also has a Vixen-style dovetail plate which is compatible with any alt-az or equatorial mount with a Vixen-style saddle.
Features
- 600mm focal length
- Foam-lined aluminum carrying case
- Extra-low dispersion glass
- 2” Crayford focuser with 1.25” adapter
- Proprietary Metallic High Transmission Coatings
- Vixen-style dovetail plate
- 8×50 RA erect-image finderscope
- Schott BK7 and FPL-53 ED glass
Pros
- Easy to setup
- Compact, lightweight, and portable
- Good quality
- Superb image quality
Cons
- Stability issues
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Celestron -NexStar 5SE Telescope
Celestron -NexStar 5SE Telescope marks our fourth pick of the best telescope stargazing and astronomy. This is a computerized telescope for beginners and advanced users looking to take their stargazing and astronomy to the next level.
The fully automated go-to mount makes object identification a walk in the park. You can choose from a database of more than 40,000 stars, galaxies, and solar system objects and locate each one of them with pinpoint accuracy.
Moreover, Celestron built this telescope with ease of use in mind. It has a compact form factor for ease of transportation. Besides, it is easy to assemble just about anywhere with no tools needed.
And that’s not all. This telescope has a 5-inch aperture which provides excellent light-gathering ability. It is compatible with most of Celestron’s accessories from the StarSense AutoAlign to the SkyPortal Wi-Fi module.
Features
- Five-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
- StarPointer finder scope
- Quick-release fork arm mount
- StarBright XLT high-transmission coatings
- Computerized technology
Pros
- Compact and portable
- Fully automated
- Quick, straightforward assembly
- Bright and clear optics
Cons
- Alignment issues
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Unistellar eVscope Equinox Digital Telescope
Unistellar eVscope Equinox Digital Telescope is the world’s newest and most powerful digital telescope out there. It is engineered and built to help you enjoy the beauty of deep space and conduct hands-on science from the comfort of your home.
The telescope features an onboard computer with 35h of observation storage capacity. It has integrated intelligent image processing and light pollution reduction features that help protect the planet against near-earth asteroids.
Furthermore, the telescope is ideal for multi-user sharing. Up to 10 devices can connect at once for social observing. You also get autonomous field detection for a set-up time of under 1 minute and a built-in battery with up to 12 hours of battery life.
Features
- 450mm focal length
- Motorized alt-azimuth mount
- Autonomous field detection alignment
- Control app for iOS and Android
- Onboard image processing computer
- 50x optical magnification
Pros
- Multi-device compatibility
- Ease of use
- Long battery life
Cons
- Poor image sharpness and quality
- Big budget
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Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope
Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope is another budget-friendly telescope ideal for stargazing and astronomy. It is designed for virtually all users from entry-level to intermediate to professionals.
The optical performance of this telescope is a force to reckon with. It is built with a doublet lens system and multi-coated optics for excellent light transmission. Besides, the internal housing is baffled to fight glare and reflections, and increase contrast.
Another stand-out feature of the telescope is portability. It is a compact, grab-and-go telescope that is very easy to use. Other than that, this telescope has a substantial 4.5-inch aperture and a fast f/4 focal ratio which provides detailed views of the moon, stars, and planets.
The other essential features included are a Plossl eyepiece, an Altazimuth mount, and a manual focus system.
Features
- 20mm and 10mm 4-element eyepieces
- 5” aperture
- Glare-reducing moon filter
- Low-profile swivel base
- Fast f/4 focal ratio
- EZ Finder II aiming device
- 450mm focal length
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Relatively lightweight
- Compact and portable
- Easy to assemble and use
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Poorly made
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Sky-Watcher Virtuoso
Lastly in our list of the best telescope stargazing and astronomy is Sky-Watcher Virtuoso. This telescope is optimized for versatility. It can be used as an astronomical observing platform and for conventional nighttime celestial viewing and daytime solar viewing.
The optical tube assembly included a removable solar filter that allows dual day and nighttime observation. Other than that, the telescope is built with a 1250mm focal length and 90mm aperture. It also boasts multi-coated lenses that reduce the reflection of light and enhance image brightness and clarity.
Moreover, this telescope comes with a conventional 5×24 finder scope for easy identification of small objects. The 1.25” snout and eyepiece holder works with most focuses and accessories to ensure that you get the most out of your glassing.
This telescope uses an Alt-Azimuth mount with a single fork-arm design. It makes it easy to mount on a tripod for steady glassing. Besides, it provides instant astronomical tracking when turned on and has latitude memory retain settings even when the mount is powered off.
Features
- Front convex meniscus lens
- Multi-coated optics
- Removable solar filter
- Single-speed internal focusing mechanism
- 5×24 finderscope
- Multi-purpose motorized mount
- 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA
- Automatic celestial tracking
- Panoramic/Time-Lapse photography
- Automatic shutter release function
Pros
- Well-aligned
- Lightweight and portable
- Versatile
- Decent optics
Cons
- Takes time to set up
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Tips for Choosing the Best Telescope Stargazing and Astronomy
Choosing a telescope for stargazing and astronomy is not something you do on a whip. Here are a few of the key things you should consider.
Aperture Size
The size of the telescope’s aperture is the first thing to consider. Just like any other optical instrument, the larger the aperture the better. It allows more light to get inside the telescope, providing image views that are bright and clear.
However, extra-large apertures can make the telescope big and bulky. So, ensure that you find the right balance of size and portability.
Type of Telescope
There are three types of telescopes out there: refractors, reflectors, and compound telescopes Refractor telescopes use lenses while reflector models use mirrors. On the other hand, compound telescopes combine lenses and mirrors.
Each telescope type has its pros and cons, and the ideal choice largely depends on individual preference.
Portability
The next thing you should consider is portability. Do you intend to carry the telescope when you go for outdoor excursions like camping? If yes, the telescope should be compact, lightweight, and portable. However, if you intend to use it at home from the comfort of your garden or balcony, you don’t have to worry much about portability.
Mount
A stable and quality mount is essential for every telescope. There are two main types of mounts for telescopes: alt-azimuth with up-down and left-right movement and equatorial mounts that align with Earth’s rotation. An alt-azimuth mount is preferable for stargazing and astronomy, while Equatorial mounts are more ideal for astrophotography.
Glass Quality
The type of glass a telescope is built with plays an important role in determining the image quality. Go for a telescope that uses high-end glass elements like ED or UHD. On top of that, the best telescope stargazing and astronomy should have premium anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces. The coatings enhance the transmission of light which is vital for bright, clear, and color-accurate image views.
Budget
Last but not least, consider the cost of the telescope. Different types of telescopes will run you at different prices, with the more advanced models fetching a higher price. By planning your budget, you will have an easy time finding a quality telescope with all the important features that you need.
Best Telescope Stargazing and Astronomy FAQs
- Can I use a telescope for both terrestrial and celestial viewing?
Yes, most of the telescopes we have today are suitable for both terrestrial and celestial viewing. This way, you can use the telescope to view celestial objects at night and change to terrestrial objects like the moon and stars when darkness falls.
- What type of telescope is best for a beginner?
The best telescope stargazing and astronomy for beginners is a refractor telescope. They are easy to use and low in maintenance. A beginner can also use a reflector telescope which offers more aperture for the price compared to refractor counterparts.
- Can I see the Galaxy with a telescope?
Yes. With a high-end telescope, you can see the galaxy with stunning clarity and detail. But it is hard to resolve the stars individually as galaxies tend to fade out as they expand.
Conclusion
The key to having a great time watching the moon, planets, and other terrestrial bodies is to have a quality and reliable telescope at hand. Each telescope we have listed above has all the basic features you need for stargazing and astronomy. So, take an in-depth look at the features that make each telescope the right purchase for your needs and choose accordingly.