Best Telescopes for Viewing Planets and Galaxies for Beginners
Choosing the best telescope for a novice can be a complex process for the uninitiated, especially when you’re flooded with jargon.
Astronomy and stargazing can be enjoyed by anyone! Beginner astronomers, families, and seasoned stargazers can all enjoy the night sky’s delights.
It’s a hobby that will last a lifetime. There’s a telescope for everyone, whether you’re interested in the Moon and planets or the wonders of star clusters and galaxies.
Best Telescopes for Viewing Planets and Galaxies for Beginners
Orion 10022 StarMax 90mm TableTop Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
The Moon and brilliant planets like as Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars can be seen clearly with this portable TableTop Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope.
Weighing only 6.5 pounds. This tiny telescope and base may be brought just about anywhere to provide spectacular views of the night sky while on road vacations, camping, or a quick trip out to the backyard when fully erected.
Aperture of 90 mm The Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope captures enough light to provide stunning views of brighter deep-space objects such as globular clusters, nebulas, and numerous galaxies.
With a 3/8″ or 1/4″-20 threaded post, you may mount it to a field tripod or install it on any firm table as a viewing foundation.
Two 1.25″ eyepieces (25mm and 10mm focal lengths), EZ Finder II reflex sight for easy aiming, 90 degree mirror diagonal for comfortable night sky viewing, and more are included in this kit.
Specifications
- Best for viewing: Lunar & planetary
- User level: Beginner
- Optical design: Maksutov-Cassegrain
- Optical diameter: 90mm
- Focal length: 1250mm
- Focal ratio: f/13.9
- Eyepieces: 3-Element 25.0mm, 10.0mm (1.25″)
- Magnification (Included):50x, 125x
- Resolving power: 1.29arc*sec
- Lowest useful magnification: 13x
- Highest useful magnification: 180x
- Limiting stellar magnitude: 12.5
- Mount type: Altazimuth
- Weight, fully assembled: 6.5 lbs.
Celestron – StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope
This one-of-a-kind scope analyzes star patterns overhead and calculates its position in real time using your smartphone.
Based on your precise time and location, the app informs you what’s in the sky. From the city, you may see planets, brighter nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters, as well as fainter deep sky objects.
It’s simple to follow the on-screen arrows to your selected target with this manual altazimuth mount with smooth, dual-axis slow-motion controls. When the bulls eye turns green, it’s ready to look through the eyepiece of the telescope.
Highly reflective coatings and sufficient light gathering ability to see all of the greatest celestial objects.
Specifications
- Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector
- Aperture: 114mm (4.5”)
- Focal Length: 1000mm (39.4”)
- Focal Ratio: f/9
- Magnification (with included eyepieces) 40x, 100x
- Limiting Magnitude: 12.8
- Lowest Useful Magnification: 16x
- Highest Theoretical Magnification: 269x
- Assembled Weight: 10.4 lbs.
Vaonis STELLINA Observation Station and Hybrid Telescope
It’s fair to assume that if you’re a newbie, you don’t want to waste time putting your telescope together when you could be viewing
Stellina is a self-contained, portable telescope that allows you to photograph astronomical objects with ease. The Stellina and a smartphone are all that’s required.
Everything you need looks to be contained within a compact, elegant white and black rectangular enclosure mounted on a tabletop tripod.
It has a built-in camera that captures photographs that you may see on your phone afterwards (or tablet)
The Vaonis Stellina is a wonderful beginner’s telescope because it’s quick and simple to build and calibrate.
Specifications
- Resolution: 6.4M pixels (3096 x 2080 px)
- Focal length: 400 mm (15.75 in)
- Aperture: 80 mm (3.15 in)
- Autonomy: 5 hours with a 10,000 mAh portable battery
- Size: 19 x 15 x 4.7 in (49 x 39 x 13 cm)
- Weight: 24, 7 lbs. (11, 2 kg)
- Water resistance: IP53
- Control: Smartphone/Tablet
- Lens: Doublet ED doublet with lanthanum glass
- Focal ratio: F/5
- Image sensor: 1/1.8″ CMOS Sony
- Field of view:1° x 0.7°
- Magnification: Equivalent to 50x and up to 100x with digital zoom
- Mount: Alt-azimuth
- Alignment: Automatic initialization with star field recognition
- Focus: Automated Pointing:
- Automated Image Processing– Adapted to each object -Real time image stacking
- Filter: Light pollution (CLS)
- Field derotator: Mechanical and automated
- Dew control: Integrated heater
Celestron Astro Fi 102 Wi-Fi Maksutov Wireless Reflecting Telescope
We propose the Astro Fi 102 Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope to beginners and young astronomers searching for a simple to use telescope.
Simply download Celestron’s free SkyPortal app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, then connect the app to the telescope through Wi-Fi. You won’t need to connect to a network because your new Astro Fi scope is a network in and of itself. Even if your cellular networks are down, the instrument will work.
Simply point your phone or tablet into the night sky, and the scope will keep track of what happens. Simply tap an on-screen target to have your Astro Fi scope swivel to and center that object as your smartphone displays information about it.
Specifications
- Optical Design: Maksutov-Cassegrain
- Aperture: 102mm (4.02″)
- Focal Length: 1325mm (52.17″)
- Focal Ratio: f/13
- Focal Length of Eyepiece 1: 25mm (.98″)
- Magnification of Eyepiece 1: 53x
- Focal Length of Eyepiece 2: 10mm (.39″)
- Magnification of Eyepiece 2: 132x
- Optical Tube: Aluminum
- Highest Useful Magnification: 241x
- Lowest Useful Magnification: 15x
- Limiting magnitude: 12.5
- Mount Type: Computerized Altitude-Azimuth
- Assembled Weight: 14.2 lbs (6.44 kg)
Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor Smartphone Adapter Built-In Refracting Telescope
The most straightforward setup of any entry-level scope. Simply open the tripod legs, turn the lock knob, and you’re ready to go with the folding accessories tray.
The main telescope lens cover has a built-in smartphone adaptor, which is ideal for aspiring astrophotographers.
The asymmetrical mount design is extremely lightweight and stable. Day or night, terrestrial or astronomical, erect image optics allows for a fully correct image for easy viewing.
The flashlight, which is stowed in the center of the mount head, can be used to gently illuminate the accessory tray or withdrawn and utilized as a spotlight as needed.
Micrometer focus – Allows for rapid return to a specified focus point for certain targets (bird nests, infinity focus, etc.)
Specifications
- Optical design: Refractor
- Aperture: 100mm (3.94”)
- Focal Length: 660mm (25.98”)
- Focal Ratio: f/6.5
- Magnification of Eyepieces: 33x, 66x
- Limiting Magnitude: 12.5
- Lowest Useful Magnification: 15x
- Highest Useful Magnification: 241x
- Assembled Weight: 28.7 lbs. (13.01 kg)
Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope
The StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector is a great telescope for novice amateur astronomers, and it’s made with the kind of quality you’d only find in much more expensive telescopes.
The StarBlast 4.5 Astro Telescope can show fascinating vistas of bright galaxies, distant clouded nebulas, and sparkling star clusters for the whole family to enjoy, thanks to its carefully designed wide-field f/4 reflecting optics and huge 4.5 inch (114mm) aperture.
Smooth altazimuth motion is provided by a stable tabletop platform, making manual monitoring of celestial objects simple. 13 years old and up
Pre-assembled, so you can go from box to backyard in minutes. Glass type: borosilicate glass with little thermal expansion.
Specification
- Aperture113 mm (4.5″)
- Camera/Eyepiece Connection1.25
- CD ROMs Included: Starry Night SE
- Dawes Limit: 1.03 arcseconds
- Finder Include: Red Dot Finder
- Focal Length: 450 mm
- Focal Ratio: f/4
- Head Design: Altitude Azimuth
- Highest Magnification: 226x
- Highest Useful Magnification: 228x
- Light Gathering Power: 261x
- Limiting Magnitude: 14
- Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 12.9
- Mount Weight: 9 lbs.
- Optical Coatings: Aluminum
- Optical Design: Dobsonian
- Optical Design: Newtonian
- OTA Length: 18″ OTA
- Weight: 4 lbs.
- Tube Weight: 4 lbs.
- Warranty: Orion Limited Warranty
Celestron – StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope
This one-of-a-kind scope analyzes star patterns overhead and calculates its position in real time using your smartphone.
Based on your precise time and location, the app informs you what’s in the sky. From the city, you may see planets, brighter nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters, as well as fainter deep sky objects.
It’s simple to follow the on-screen arrows to your selected target with this manual altazimuth mount with smooth, dual-axis slow-motion controls. When the bullseye turns green, it’s ready to look through the eyepiece of the telescope.
The wide aperture and highly reflective coatings provide enough light gathering capabilities to observe all of the best astronomical objects.
Specifications
- Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector
- Aperture: 130mm (5.12”)
- Focal Length: 650mm (25.6”)
- Focal Ratio: f/5
- Magnification (with included eyepieces): 26x, 65x
- Limiting Magnitude: 13.1
- Lowest Useful Magnification: 19x
- Highest Theoretical Magnification: 307x
- Assembled Weight: 18 lb.
Celestron – AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope
With completely coated glass lenses, a solid yet lightweight frame, 2 eyepieces, a red dot finder scope, and an adjustable-height tripod, the Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is a powerful and user-friendly refractor telescope.
A strong, completely coated 70mm glass optic objective lens is included with our Celestron telescope. Observing astronomical objects at night and terrestrial targets like wildlife and landscapes during the day is possible with erect image optics.
This adult telescope has a lightweight frame as well as a panning handle with Alt-Az adjustment for smooth and precise directing. No tools are required for setup, which is quick and simple.
The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is a dual-purpose telescope that is suitable for both beginners and experienced astronomers. It’s simple to set up, the optics are excellent, and the extras complement the system nicely.
Specifications
- Aperture: 70mm (2.76”)
- Focal Length: 900mm (35”)
- Focal Ratio: f/13
- Magnification: 45x, 90x
- Limiting Magnitude: 11.7
- Low Useful Magnification: 10x
- High Theoretical Magnification: 165x
- Assembled Weight: 11.0 lbs. (5.0 kg)
Celestron – Omni XLT 102 Refractor Telescope
For optimum light transmission to the eye, every air-to-glass surface in the Omni XLT’s optical path is fully multi-coated with our patented StarBright XLT anti-reflective coatings.
With a high-quality 4 inch lens, this scope has a lot to offer the more affluent novice, but it’s also a great upgrade if you’ve been using a smaller, less expensive refractor.
Its f/9.8 focal ratio makes it a ‘slow’ scope, which means it’s less prone to chromatic aberrations (which is excellent), yet, as you’ll see below, it still has issues.
You’ll be able to take use of its 1000 mm focal length and German Equatorial mount to get the most out of its excellent motion controls and monitor whichever celestial bodies you like.
Specifications
- Optical Design: Refractor
- Aperture: 102 mm (4.02”)
- Focal Length: 1000mm (39”)
- Focal Ratio: f/10
- Magnification (with included eyepieces):40x
- Limiting Magnitude: 12.5
- Lowest Useful Magnification: 15
- Highest Useful Magnification: 241x
- Assembled Weight: 33 lbs. (15 kg)
Choosing the Best Telescopes for Viewing Planets and Galaxies for Beginners
Aperture
The aperture is the most crucial feature of a telescope, regardless of the type of telescope you choose. Simply put, the aperture of your telescope is the diameter of the mirror or lens.
The image quality improves as the aperture is increased. The brightness and sharpness of a picture are determined by the aperture.
Keep in mind, though, that a larger aperture translates to a larger telescope. Keep an eye on the size of your telescope if you want to travel with it.
Magnification
A telescope’s maximal practical magnification is 50 times its aperture in inches, or twice its aperture in millimeters, as a rule of thumb. And that’s assuming the scope’s optics are flawless and the night air is abnormally stable. To put it another way, a good 4-inch (100-mm) scope should not be pushed far beyond 200 yards.
Focal length and Eye piece
A focal length is the distance between the main lens or mirror and the picture formed by a scope.
The huge number written or etched on the front or back of the scope, usually between 400 and 3,000 millimeters, is known as focal length.
Simply divide the scope’s focal length by the eyepiece’s focal length to get the magnification any combination of telescope and eyepiece produces.
Choosing a telescope that can accommodate larger eyepieces is one technique to increase a telescope’s wide-field performance.
Price
Avoid the urge to buy the cheapest telescope you can find. The majority will disappoint you because to poor optical, mechanical, or both attributes. You may acquire a decent telescope for $150 or less if you shop carefully. Even so, you’ll end up with a tiny aperture scope.
However, even if you have a lot of money, don’t go out and buy the biggest, most expensive telescope you can. Begin with a tiny, achievable project.
The vast majority of serious observers have two or more telescopes for various purposes. Start with a less expensive one until you’ve looked at your options and determined your long-term goals.
FAQs on the Best Telescopes for Viewing Planets and Galaxies for Beginners
What size telescope do I need to see planets?
4 or 5 inch diameter telescopes are ideal for seeing solar system objects such as planets, our Moon, and Jupiter’s moons. With a scope this narrow, seeing Neptune and Uranus can be difficult, but not impossible. For a complete beginner, a telescope of this size is definitely a decent place to start.
Can you see galaxies with a telescope?
Galaxies are among the furthest objects that mankind can observe. While the majority of planets, stars, and nebulae are very close to us, humans may observe galaxies that are millions of light-years away. Even if a galaxy is brilliant, a 4-inch telescope will often only reveal its nucleus.
Conclusion
Is there a perfect telescope waiting for you out there? Yes.
There’s a telescope for everyone, no matter who they are or where they reside.
If you follow our recommendations, you’ll end up with exactly that kind of instrument, one that you’ll want to practice with every clear night.