Telescopes have become extremely popular gadgets in many households. As we learn more about space it’s tempting to take our own peak into the night sky. We’re in the middle of a big space revolution and it won’t take long until mankind will make it’s first steps on Mars. SpaceX is talking about a base on the moon, satellites are being deployed one after the other and there’s even a Tesla convertible flying around somewhere. In other words, the universe is exciting!
Telescope Buying Tips
In this article we assume that it’s your purpose to glance at the stars, the moon and anything in between. If it’s your main purpose to study objects on planet Earth itself this is not the guide you need! Just so you know. We focus only on space and give you our Top 3 telescopes for beginners.
Tip 1: Get a Reflector Telescope
All the products we show you on this page are reflector telescopes. You’ll have great quality images and the best bang for your buck. In our honest opinion you’ll be ready to explore the universe for years to come. Chances are you won’t ever feel the need to get a “better” one.
Please note: Off course refractor types will provide space images as well. The point we’re trying to make is that you better spend a few dollars extra on the quality of mirrors.
Tip 2: Size And Aperture
Where are you planning to use your telescope? Just at home? Or maybe on trips, hiking adventures or camping holidays? Size and weight could play a major part in your decision. To keep a long story short you could say that large telescopes are able to catch more light than small telescopes. The more light you gather the better your image quality will be. In optics the opening through which light travels is called an aperture. The bigger the aperture the better your pictures will look. Try to aim for at least 4 inches.
Tip 3: Magnification
Now this topic deserves a whole page on it’s own because it’s not just about magnification. Focal length and different eyepieces play a major part in observing outer space. However since this article is dedicated to beginners we’ll just stick with magnification for now. So what is it exactly that you want to see? Do you want to see a group of stars and have a broad area to look at? Or is it more a detailed view like planetary surfaces? The bigger your magnification the more detailed your discovery will be. However the more you magnify the more blurry pictures could turn out to be. The atmosphere consists of different layers of hot and cold air which influence maximum magnification the most. As a beginner it’s probably best to stick with a magnification of around 50 (maybe even up to 100). You’ll be able to see nebulae, stars and other large objects. If you really want to look at the surface of Mars in detail you should consider 150 times or even more. Those however are not always considered beginner products.
Tip 4: Price
How much are you willing to spend? Telescopes don’t necessarily have to be expensive. If it’s your goal to experience and play around a little it’s probably wise to not spend a fortune. Expensive is not always the best way to go. And if you want to spend a lot of money we advise you to do some more research on professional equipment. On this page we try to inspire “newbies” to get a grip on their first product with good price-quality features. Something that will provide fun and excitement for years to come. We exclude the cheapest range since they are usually refractor types and we also won’t be reviewing equipment worth thousands of dollars.
Celestron 31045 Reflector Telescope
With an aperture of 4.48 inches (114mm) this product approaches professional equipment. But don’t worry, it’s easy to use and you’ll be ready to go in no time! Two lenses come with it which allows for magnifications of 50X and 100X. The tripod is included but what we like better is it’s accurate positioning mount. Remember: Stabilization and positioning are one of the most important characteristics to go after when you are a beginner. It’s not easy to follow a moving object in the sky!
Orion 09007 Reflector Telescope
Even though this is still referred to as a beginner product we want you to know that things are getting pretty serious now. An aperture of 5.1 inches (130mm) is probably more than you need if you just want to take a look at some stars. But it provides great quality images because of this. Two lenses provide 26X and 65X magnification. Your highest useful magnification is 260X.
Orion 10016 Reflector Telescope
If you want to go semi-professional but still “within beginner boundaries” then this is one way to go. A 5.9 inch (150mm) aperture is probably more than you need when you’re just getting started, but if your priority is clear images then this could be a good fit. Two eyepieces give access to 30X and 75X magnifications. More than enough if you ask us. It’s not the best choice if you want to take it with you on trips.
A Few Thoughts
The world of astrology and horoscopes is what our website is paying attention to. When it comes to telescopes we are not your go to guru! We do however enjoy pictures of the universe and we also read a good amount of articles on this topic. All of the products we provided to you have at least a 4 out of 5 stars rating! Make sure to read through some reviews as well. Pay attention to warranty and customer service just te be on the safe side. We hope you enjoyed our content and that it helps to get you started. Interested to learn more or share your stories? Our cafe is the go to place for anyone who wants to share his or her thoughts and our shop features a few book tips. In the end we just hope you have some fun whilst you’re here.
