7 Best Telescopes for Deep Space Viewing

Best Telescopes for Deep Space Viewing

The best telescopes for deep space viewing let you see the mysteries that the universe has to offer. Since the first telescope was made, these instruments continue to advance year in year out. In this day and age, modern telescopes provide stunning views of the deep-sky that couldn’t be seen before.

To get the most out of your deep space viewing, you’ll need a high-end telescope that’s made for deep-sky objects, galaxies and nebulae. But with so many telescopes available on the market, choosing the best model becomes taxing and time-consuming. For your convenience, we have made a review of some of the best telescopes for deep space viewing that will help you go farther. Let’s take a look.

Best Telescopes for Deep Space Viewing

Sky Watcher Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope 

Sky Watcher 8in. Flextube 200P Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope S11700

 

 

This Dobsonian telescope from Sky Watcher is made to help you explore the deep-sky and leave nothing unexplored. It features an innovative collapsible optical tube design which gives you a large aperture in a small, portable design. You can use both at home and when you are on the move.

Featuring a parabolic mirror with quartz overcoat, this telescope provides up to 94% reflectivity. This gives you bright and exceptional views all through. The 2-inch focuser with all-metal bearings provides smooth and precise performance, while the patented tension control handles give you solid control for accurate slewing and aiming.

This telescope comes with two eyepieces for use in different distances. It also comes with an 8×50 finder scope that helps you spot objects easily and keep track of them as they move. Overall, it’s an excellent telescope with a large aperture for bringing deep space objects closer.

Features

  • Innovative collapsible design
  • Fully multi-coated borosilicate mirrors
  • Large 200mm aperture
  • Proprietary Teflon bearings
  • Sturdy and lightweight design
  • 8×50 finder scope
  • Two eyepieces: 25mm and 10mm
  • Patented tension control handles

Orion StarBlast 6i IntelliScope Reflector Telescope

Orion StarBlast 6i IntelliScope Reflector Telescope

 

If you are looking for the best telescope for deep space viewing for family use, look no further than the Orion StarBlast 6i Intelliscope Reflector Telescope. This telescope has a user-friendly design that makes it suitable for adults and kids as well. It’s lightweight, portable and very simple to set up.

With this telescope, you can explore more than 14,000 celestial objects using the IntelliScope computerized object locator. The 50mm parabolic primary mirror collects plenty of light needed to display excellent views of planets and deep-sky objects.

Moreover, this instrument has 2 eyepieces for both low and high-power views and a 6” aperture optic which provides sharp views of all the celestial objects regardless of how far they are.

Since this telescope is a tabletop model, you can place it virtually anywhere. Both the base and Altazimuth mount are very stable, and they provide you with the flexibility you require to see the objects you are after.

Features

  • IntelliScope computerized object locator
  • 50mm parabolic primary mirror
  • 6” aperture optic
  • Small, lightweight and portable
  • Simple set up
  • Ideal for both adults and kids
  • EZ finder II red-dot sight
  • Built-in navigation
  • 750mm focal length
  • Altazimuth mount type
  • 25mm and 10mm Sirius Plossl 1.25” eyepieces

Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope

Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope

 

The StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope from Orion is your best option if you are looking for a budget telescope. If you are always on the go an you would want a portable optic, this telescope is a perfect option for you. It’s compact, lightweight and comes pre-assembled.

The sturdy tabletop gives you a flexibility to mount it anywhere you want. The Altazimuth mount allows for smooth manual tracking of celestial objects, while the 2 Explorer II 1.25 eyepieces are suitable for viewing targets at different ranges.

This telescope has a 450mm focal length and a significant 4.5-inch aperture. It also features a low thermal borosilicate glass and f/4 focal ration which provides bright and detailed views of the celestial objects. To top it all, it offers a substantial wide field of view which lets you track moving objects with ease.

Features

  • 450mm focal length
  • Altazimuth mount type
  • 5” aperture
  • Stable tabletop base
  • Wide field of view
  • 17mm and 6mm eyepieces
  • EZ finder II reflex sight
  • Starry night astronomy software

Celestron- NexStar 127SLT Computerized Telescope

Celestron- NexStar 127SLT Computerized Telescope

 

 

The NexStar 127SLT is a computerized telescope that’s made to deliver high-quality images of deep-sky objects. It’s very simple to operate, so it’s perfect for astronomy beginners and intermediate users as well.

With this telescope, you get to choose form a database that contains more than 40,000 celestial objects. The computerized GoTo mount locates the objects for you and tracks them as they move. It also features a SkyAlign technology for fast and simple set up and a StarPointer finder scope that has a red LED for accurate object identification.

Another good thing about this instrument is the massive 127mm aperture that collects enough light to see the moon, planets and stars clearly. This wide opening is also important for long glassing sessions. It reduces eye fatigue, so your viewing experience will be comfortable. Also, this telescope is compact, light and portable.

Features

  • 40,000 celestial objects telescope
  • Computerized GoTo mount
  • Massive 127mm aperture
  • StarPointer finder scope
  • SkyAlign technology for simple set up
  • Compact and lightweight
  • 25mm eyepiece

Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector Telescope

Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector Telescope

 

If you are in a market for your first telescope, the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector Telescope suits you. It’s relatively compact, lightweight and easy to use. It also features a fast f/5 focal ratio which makes it a versatile telescope for family use.

This telescope has a 5.1 aperture that collects ample light for pleasing views of all celestial bodies. The two 1.25-inch Sirius Plossl eyepieces provide different magnification power suitable for viewing objects at varying distances.

For added convenience, this tool has a 6×30 finder scope which facilitates accurate object identification and a sturdy EQ equatorial mount which gives you the flexibility you require to see the objects you are after.

Features

  • 1 aperture
  • 25mm and 10mm eyepieces
  • 6×30 finder scope
  • Sturdy EQ equatorial mount
  • Comes fully assembled
  • Fast f/5 focal ratio
  • 24-inch long optical tube
  • Compact and lightweight design

Sky-Watcher S11800 GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian 

Sky-Watcher S11800 GoTo Collapsible Donsonian 8-Inch

 

 

If you are passionate about star-gazing, you can hardly go wrong with Sky-Watcher S11800 GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian 8-Inch. This is an advanced telescope that packs a lot of power. It provides the best images regardless of how far the celestial objects are. It also offers great color correction for more natural views.

With a whole 42,000+ celestial object database, this instrument will help you explore the deep sky like never before. The parabolic mirror with quartz overcoat offers 94% reflectivity for excellent views, while the large 8-inch aperture gives you a bright and bold viewing experience.

This telescope is made to last. It has an all-metal gearing for unmatched durability. Since it’s computerized, it gives you precise automated tracking. It also comes with a 9×50 finder scope, two wide-angle eyepieces and an innovative collapsible design for easy portability.

Features

  • 42,000+ celestial object database
  • Computerized operation
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Large 8-inch aperture
  • All-metal gearing
  • Innovative collapsible design
  • Fully multi-coated borosilicate mirrors
  • 10mm and 25mm eyepieces
  • 9×50 finder scope

Sky-Watcher Flextube 300 SynScan Dobsonian Collapsible Computerized Telescope

Sky-Watcher Flextube 300 SynScan Dobsonian 12-Inch Collapsible Computerized GoTo Larger Aperture Telescope

 

 

The Sky-Watcher Flextube SynScan Dobsonian is telescope that’s designed to serve both beginners and professional astronomers. It gives you access into 42,000+ celestial objects so your viewing sessions will be more enjoyable.

Featuring a massive 12-inch aperture, this telescope gathers ample light for bright and clear views. The fully multi-coated borosilicate mirrors excel in light rejection to provide the best images. It also comes with a 9×50 straight-through finder scope for accurate target identification and two wide-angle eyepieces that provide different magnification power.

If you like to travel, this is your ideal telescope. It has a unique collapsible design for convenient portability. Furthermore, it has an all-metal gearing which enhances its durability and a computerized GoTo mount which provides accurate automated tracking.

Features

  • All-metal gearing
  • Innovative collapsible design
  • Fully multi-coated borosilicate mirrors
  • 10mm and 25mm wide-angled eyepieces
  • 9×50 straight-through finder scope
  • 42,000+ celestial object database
  • Computerized operation
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Large 12-inch aperture
  • Reliable strut system

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Choosing the Best Telescope for Deep Space Viewing

Telescopes vary greatly in terms of construction and capability. These are some of the important factors you should consider when shopping for the best telescope for deep space viewing.

Type of Telescope

There are three main telescope designs that you’ll find on the market today. They are refractor, reflecting and Cassegrain telescopes.

A refractor telescope uses a number of lenses to manipulate the light and magnify the image. Under the refractor telescope, you’ll find different sub-categories, but they all use lenses to produce images.

Reflecting telescopes use mirrors to create an image. The most common reflecting telescopes are Dobsonian and Newtonian reflectors.

Cassegrain telescopes are more like reflector telescopes. However, they use curved mirrors and they have lenses. These lenses are used to bounce light uniquely.

All these three telescopes work well for deep space viewing. What really matters is the key features that each telescope has.

Wide Aperture

The size of the aperture is what differentiates telescopes for deep space viewing and traditional telescopes.  A wide aperture is indispensable for deep space viewing. Celestial objects emit fainter light, so you’ll want your telescopes to gather ample light possible. A large aperture allows light to flood in which in turn improves the overall brightness and clarity of the images.

High Focal Ratio

The easiest way to gauge the capabilities of a telescope is to look at its focal ratio. Focal ratio which is also known as the F-ratio is the number that indicates both the focal length and the aperture size.

For deep space viewing, a telescope with a high focal ratio is the best. It’s means that the telescope has a high magnification which is essential for bringing the far away objects closer. However, a high focal ratio means a smaller field of vision, but this should be expected especially when you are observing far-off targets.

Mounting System

The other important thing you should consider is the mounting system. If you are new in the market, mounting system is what connects the telescope’s optical tube to the base.

A telescope with a simple altazimuth mount is ideal for deep space viewing. It enables you to move the telescope horizontally and vertically. If you want to have better precision, go for a model that has a slow-motion control.

Another mount system that’s ideal for deep space viewing is the Equatorial mount. Go for a telescope with this mount if you want to view celestial objects throughout the whole night. This mount comes with a built-in counterweight and a unique positioning angle which makes it easy to for you to track the objects.

You can also go for modern telescopes that have computerized mounts. These mounts are automatic. They are the easiest to use and ideal for all astronomers, beginners and professionals alike.

FAQs on the Best Telescopes for Deep Space Viewing

  • What magnification do you need to see galaxies?

In most cases, you’ll need a magnification that ranges from 8x to 40 x to see galaxies. This includes different star clusters, nebulae and galaxies.

  • What can you see with a deep space telescope?

A deep space telescope will help you see planets, stars, galaxies and the moon with her craters. Although you might not be able to see these objects in the greatest of detail, you can still see things like Saturn’s rings and most nebulae too.

  • What can I see with a 90mm telescope?

A quality 90mm will give you clear views of the Saturn together with its rings and other planets such as Uranus, Neptune and Jupiter together with its great Red Spot. You can also have clear views of stars.

  • What can you see with a 70mm telescope?

There are numerous celestial objects that you can see with a 70mm telescope. This includes the Jupiter’s colorful bands and belts as well as Saturn’s rings. You can also see Mercury, Mars and Venus but not in detail.

Conclusion

Thanks to the modern technological advancements in the field of optics, telescopes for deep space viewing are now more available than ever. If you want to enjoy the best deep space views ever, invest in any of the telescopes listed above.