Top Telescopes and Astronomy Gear for Star Gazing Beginners, as Recommended by Experts

While you can enjoy some stargazing with just your eyes on a clear night, observing celestial features like the moon's craters or Saturn's rings requires a telescope. However, selecting the right one isn't as easy as picking out the most appealing model in a store. To help guide you, we consulted with three experts to identify the key factors to consider when choosing your first telescope and other essential tools for observing the night sky.

Essential Considerations Before Purchasing

Our experts agree that the best telescope is the one you will actually use. There isn't a single 'right' model for everyone. To determine the most suitable one for you, start by evaluating factors like the available space in your home and car, your budget, whether you'll be stargazing with a child, and your preferred observing location. These factors will guide you towards equipment that fits your lifestyle.

Before making your purchase, consider joining a local amateur astronomy club to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Shauna Edson, the co-coordinator of the astronomy education program at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, recommends using the NASA Night Sky Network to locate a group nearby. While solo stargazing is possible, there are risks that can be avoided with guidance. For instance, Edson advises against solar observing alone as a beginner due to the potential eye damage when observing the sun through a telescope. For this type of observation, it's crucial to have experienced guidance.

If you’ve done your research and are ready to make a purchase, here’s a guide on what you’ll need to get started.

1. Telescopes

There are two main types of telescopes: refractors and reflectors. Refractors, simply put, use lenses at the front to bend light and focus it to form an image at a focal point. "They are what most people typically think of as a telescope: a long tube with an eyepiece at the end,” says Bart Fried, executive vice president of the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York, to Mytour. Refractors are portable and often simpler to use but tend to be more expensive due to the specialized lenses used in their design.

Fried recommends selecting a refractor with a 4-inch or larger aperture diameter and an Altazimuth mount (which we'll explain shortly). "Optically, refractors tend to offer slightly better performance," Fried explains.

Teagan DePrato-Grable, a product advisor at High Point Scientific, prefers 4-inch refractors due to their portability and ability to "still let you view several deep-sky objects under dark skies."

A reflector telescope uses precisely aligned mirrors to reflect light, projecting an image into the eyepiece. Reflectors are a great choice since they usually provide a larger aperture (which means better light-gathering ability) for a more affordable price, as they only require one mirror, rather than two special parallel optical lenses. However, they tend to be bulkier and harder to transport for observation trips.

The most widely used type of reflector telescope is the Dobsonian. "A Newtonian reflecting telescope with a 6-inch diameter is sufficient to reveal a lot of objects," Edson says. DePrato-Grable recommends the 8-inch Dobsonian Apertura AD8, or for even more detail, the AD10 or AD12 models.

For a quality telescope on a budget, DePrato-Grable advises aiming for a price above $200. "You can get a pretty decent Dobsonian or refractor for $350 or less," DePrato-Grable shares with Mytour via email.

2. Mounts

There are two primary types of basic mounts: Altazimuth and Dobsonian. Altazimuth, or alt-az, operates on two axes: vertical (altitude) and horizontal (azimuth). Dobsonians, popularized by amateur astronomer (and former Vedantan monk) John Dobson, are essentially simplified alt-az mounts with an integrated reflecting telescope, making them more accessible for children. DePrato-Grable recommends Apertura Dobsonian telescopes and manual alt-az refractors.

Though computerized mounts are pricier and may be challenging to align, they excel at tracking celestial objects. DePrato-Grable recommends the Celestron Nexstar SE Series, while Fried suggests that novice astronomers start with a simpler mount and gradually transition to a computerized model once they become more familiar with the sky.

For telescopes used by children, Edson recommends the Galileoscope, designed in 2009 to celebrate the international year of astronomy and the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first use of a telescope. This DIY plastic refractor comes with two eyepieces and can easily be mounted on a camera tripod. "Children can experience assembling all the parts with their caregivers," Edson says.

3. Eyepieces

Most telescopes come with two eyepieces designed for low and high magnification. Edson advises against using eyepieces that display an X for magnification—such as X6—and instead suggests opting for those that show the focal length in millimeters. Magnification is calculated by dividing the telescope's focal length by the eyepiece's focal length, both in millimeters. A longer eyepiece focal length results in lower magnification. Without knowing the focal length, you can't determine whether X6 represents a low or high magnification.

DePrato-Grable recommends having three eyepieces with varying magnifications: a low magnification between 25-35mm for scanning the sky, a medium-range magnification between 10-15mm for observing deep-sky objects, and a high magnification eyepiece between 4-8mm for closer views of planets. He suggests eyepieces from brands like Apertura, Celestron, and Explore Scientific.

4. Binoculars

Both Edson and DePrato-Grable agree that binoculars can often outperform telescopes when viewing larger celestial objects like nebulae, star clusters, and double stars. Edson recommends binoculars with magnification up to 10x and lenses of 35mm or greater, like this pair from Celestron. On the other hand, DePrato-Grable favors the Celestron 8x40 binoculars, stating that they offer sufficient magnification to "view star clusters, brighter nebulae, and even galaxies under dark skies."

Fried, however, is in the minority, believing that binoculars are more suited to experienced astronomers who want to scan the sky. Since binoculars must typically be held by hand, even slight movements can blur the image, which can be frustrating for beginners, especially children. "If you're going to buy a nice pair of binoculars and a tripod mount, by the time you're done, you've already spent $200," Fried says. "So why not just spend another $200 and get a telescope instead?"

5. Star Maps and Resources

"All that astronomy requires is that you observe and pay attention," Edson says. "Telescopes themselves don't teach you about the sky. They serve as a tool to help you learn more about it."

To help you understand what you're observing, Edson recommends apps such as Google Sky Map, Sky Safari, and Star Walk for digital star charts. She also favors Skymaps.com, which offers free downloadable monthly maps of the Northern, Equatorial, and Southern Hemispheres, complete with information on planets and constellations.

DePrato-Grable suggests using the Stellarium app on your smartphone. "It will show you the exact locations of nearly any visible deep-sky object or planet," DePrato-Grable says. He also recommends the book Turn Left at Orion, while Fried prefers NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe, particularly in its 4th spiral edition.