Ultimate Telescope Buying Guide
Reviews and advice: Everything you need to find the best telescope!
Here’s the deal: Telescopes are a lot of fun, but with so many options it can be tricky to find the right one. You might be wondering which telescope to buy or what different telescope terms actually mean. We get it. This guide explains what you need to know in plain English. It's designed to save you time and help you pick the perfect telescope.
We've researched and reviewed a variety of new and bestselling telescopes and selected the best ones for you. The winning products featured here are all high quality, affordable, and offer the perfect stargazing experience. Ready? Let’s dive right in!
Now: There are three basic types of telescopes. Refractor, reflector, and compound. All three types are designed to gather lots of starlight but go about that task in slightly different ways, giving each one advantages and disadvantages. Take a look:
This is the telescope shape you’re probably most familiar with. It has a big lens at the front which passes light directly into a mirror at the back and into the eyepiece.
PROS:
+ Simple design, easy to use.
+ Works for objects on earth.
+ Sealed tube protects optics.
+ Sturdy and no maintenance.
CONS:
- Not ideal for faint objects.
- Can be heavy and bulky.
- Less value than reflector.
As the name suggests, this telescope has a mirror at the end of its tube which gathers light before sending it through another mirror into the eyepiece.
PROS:
+ Great for viewing faint objects.
+ Very high image quality.
+ More value than refractors.
+ Compact and light weight.
CONS:
- Open tube can collect dust.
- Requires some maintenance.
- Doesn't work for earth objects.
This type of telescope is also called catadioptric or "Schmidt-Cassegrain" telescope. It features two mirrors (one in the back and one in the front) plus a lens.
PROS:
+ Great for viewing faint objects.
+ Works for objects on earth.
+ Sealed tube protects optics.
+ Great for astrophotography.
CONS:
- Usually more expensive.
- Large, bulky appearance.
- Second mirror reduces brightness.
You might be wondering: Which telescope type should I get? Great question!
Rest assured that all three types will do a great job. We recommend choosing the type that suits your typical needs:
✔ I want a beginner
telescope: Refractor or Reflector
✔ I want a rugged
telescope that requires little or no maintenance: Refractor
✔ I want to also observe objects
on earth (e.g. birds): Refractor or Compound
✔ I want to view faint,
deep sky objects: Reflector or Compound
✔ I want the best image
quality: Reflector or Compound
✔ I want the biggest bang
for my buck (high value): Reflector
✔ I want to do
astrophotography: Compound
✔ I want a beginner
telescope:
Refractor or reflector
✔ I want a rugged
telescope that requires little or no maintenance:
Refractor
✔ I want to also observe objects
on earth (e.g. birds):
Refractor or compound
✔ I want to view faint,
deep sky objects:
Reflector or compound
✔ I want the best image
quality:
Reflector or compound
✔ I want the biggest bang
for my buck (value):
Reflector
✔ I want to do
astrophotography:
Compound
One more thing: There are four things to look for when buying your telescope: Aperture, Focal Length, Magnification, and Computer Control. Tip: We've included a summary of each one for the telescopes reviewed below, so that you can easily compare products.
Aperture is the diameter of the telescope’s mirror
or lens. This is the single most important factor determining how much you can
see with your telescope. In general, the bigger the
telescope’s aperture the better! A bigger scope will let in more light allowing you to see fainter objects.
Takeaway: The bigger the aperture, the more light you can
see. So get the biggest aperture for your budget.
Focal length is the distance from the “focal point”
of your telescope to the lens or mirror. It's not as important as aperture, but the longer the focal
length the bigger objects will look. So keep an eye on this. When in doubt, choose a telescope with both a large aperture and focal length.
Takeaway: Focal length is less important than aperture, but it's still smart to chose a large focal length.
Magnification is determined by your telescope’s focal length
(see above) and your eyepiece. We have included the magnification you get with each reviewed telescope below. The bigger, the better. Tip: You can always upgrade to an eyepiece with higher magnification later.
Takeaway: Magnification determines how big objects appear. Start with your telescope's included eyepiece. Later you can easily upgrade to a higher magnification eyepiece.
Lots of modern telescopes offer built-in computer control
which automatically points the telescope to interesting objects. It's a great feature which allows you
to track down the celestial highlights you’re interested in quickly, follow moving objects (i.e. for astrophotography), and more.
Takeaway: Computer
control is the way to go. You can still manually find
objects if you like, but computer tracking makes it easy to quickly find celestial
highlights.
The Celestron NexStar 130SLT
gathers lots of light and has amazing image quality. It’s one of the best telescopes for beginners and also very affordable. The excellent, built-in SkyAlign computer control makes it easy to find and track objects in the sky. The 130SLT also offers a big aperture and wide field of view for the money. It well known to work flawlessly, always producing very sharp images. We give it high marks for
stability, tracking, simplicity, and build quality. Celestron is the market leader for telescopes and offers excellent customer service and a two year warranty.
Overall, this is the best telescope for beginners. It offers fun stargazing experiences for years to come. We especially recommend it for beginners and people looking for a modern, high-quality telescope with room to grow. In short: It's a fantastic product for a great price!
Aperture:
5 inches
Focal Length:
650mm
Magnification:
307x
Computer:
Yes
If you’re trying to save money but still want a great telescope with pro features, we recommend the Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker. It's hands down the best budget telescope. It features excellent
image quality and premium optics - all at a very affordable price point. The 127EQ includes
a lightweight and stable aluminum tripod and a high quality lens which makes for great stargazing on a budget. It’s a small step down
from the Celestron NexStar 130SLT, but also very affordable. Plus, it's a reflector telescope so you can use it to see far away objects on earth. It's also one of the best telescopes for beginners!
We love the no-tools setup and the telescope's slow-motion controls. There's a lot to love here! Overall, the 127EQ is the best budget telescope we've reviewed. It's the perfect combination of quality, value, and useful features, making it a great choice for kids and for beginner telescope buyers.
Aperture:
5 inches
Focal Length:
1,000mm
Magnification:
300x
Computer:
No
So you’re an amateur Galileo and you’re looking for a really powerful telescope? We’ve got you covered! The Celestron NexStar 6 SE definitely takes sky gazing to the next level. It has a huge, six inch
aperture and features advanced optics coating for incredibly sharp image quality. You will be absolutely amazed by just how much of the universe this telescope can show. If you're looking for premium quality, high-end features, and serious performance, look no further. This is the telescope to buy and it will bring fun for years to come!
The NexStar 6 SE also includes Celestron's great SkyAlign computer control and a new GPS alignment system, making it very easy to quickly align the telescope and to find interesting objects in the night sky. Lots of premium features, amazing image quality, and easy usability make this one of the best telescopes you can buy, we highly recommend it!
Aperture:
6 inches
Focal Length:
1,500mm
Magnification:
60x
Computer:
Yes
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The Meade LightBridge is an excellent Dobsonian reflector telescope with a unique "Truss Tube" design. It offers great performance, quality, and craftsmanship at a great price.
We liked the huge 10-inch aperture, the easy setup and takedown, and the high-end optics. The open truss tube design and the new anti-reflection coatings let in a lot of light and ensure great night-time views.
This telescope consistently delivers images that are very detailed, crisp, and full of contrast. The sturdy and light wood base, the red dot viewfinder, and the great star-finding software make this a feature-packed set that's a great choice. You get a lot high-end functionality at a very fair price.
Aperture
10 inches
Focal Length:
1,270mm
Magnification:
50x
Computer:
No
The Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 Schmidt-Cassegrain is one of the very best telescopes you can buy, period.
It's a brand new telescope, designed for people who want to get the best possible stargazing experience and who are interested in high-end features plus maximum long term value.
The NexStar Evolution has an amazing 9.25 inch aperture paired with a huge 2350mm focal length. These generous specs, combined with a very large 180x magnification, make it one of the very best premium telescopes you can buy. The image quality of this telescope is industry-leading! Tip: Currently, the Evolution includes Celestron's excellent accessory kit is included for free, see the link below.
Aperture
9.25 inches
Focal Length:
2350mm
Magnification:
180x
Computer:
Yes
The Geartop 90X is one of the most affordable telescopes for sale we've seen. At its great price the 90X is a good choice for beginners, children, and also as an astronomy gift.
You won't get the performance of budget telescopes with better specs, such as the excellent Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker reviewed above. However, the 90X's price point is very tempting and a great way to get started with astronomy on a budget. It's definitely a smart choice.
This is a refractor telescope so you'll be able to use it for watching stars and seeing objects on earth. In short: If you're looking for a great telescope gift, especially for kids, this is a very affordable choice.
Aperture
2 inches
Focal Length:
360mm
Magnification:
90x
Computer:
No
This small and light-weight budget telescope was designed with travel in mind. It delivers clear views and we absolutely loved how easy it was to carry it in the included backpack. It's also a very affordable telescope, so you get a lot of value for the money! We recommend it for travelling, hiking, summer camp, and any other situation where you need a very light, mobile telescope.
Aperture
2.76 inches
Focal Length:
400mm
Magnification:
165x
Computer:
No
The Levenhuk Strike 90 Plus is an excellent beginner telescope for both adults and kids. With a great aperture and premium optics this refractor telescope allows you to observe objects on land as well as many celestial wonders. You can see the Moon, Mars' landscapes, the rings of Saturn, Jupiter and all its satellites, and many nebulae. It's an all-around great choice at a great price!
Aperture
3.54 inches
Focal Length:
600mm
Magnification:
165x
Computer:
No
This is one of the absolute best beginner to intermediate telescopes you can buy. It has a MASSIVE 6 inch aperture, paired with an equally huge 1,200mm focal length! These jumbo-sized optics mean that you will see a lot more and everything will look brighter, too. The XT6 is easy to use, build rock-solid, and offers excellent value. Expect to get pro-level results at a very attractive price point!
Aperture
6 inches
Focal Length:
1,200mm
Magnification:
48x
Computer:
No
The Celestron NexStar 4 SE is portable, accurate, and offers great build quality. It's easy to use but has a little smaller aperture than the Celestron NexStar 130SLT reviewed above. We liked that it includes Celestron’s great computer control system as well as an excellent star-pointer finder scope. Overall, it's a very nice, high quality telescope.
Aperture:
4 inches
Focal Length:
1,325mm
Magnification:
241x
Computer:
Yes
The Levenhuk SkyMatic 135 GTA is easy to assemble, simple to use, and very accurate. It includes fewer features than our top picks but still comes with a great GoTo computer control feature. Overall, it's an easy-to-use telescope that’s very good for basic viewing and beginners. There's a lot to like about this product, we recommend it!
Aperture:
4 inches
Focal Length:
650mm
Magnification:
260x
Computer:
Yes
The new Gskyer EQ 80900 is available in four sizes (50, 70, 80, and 90mm aperture). We recommend the 80mm version because it offers a great balance of features and value. The product comes with three excellent eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens to increase viewing power. It's powerful, reliable, and quite affordable.
Aperture
3.2 inches
Focal Length:
900mm
Magnification:
180x
Computer:
No
The Celestron SkyProdigy 90 is a great, affordable beginner telescope. It offers Celestron's excellent automatic computer control which makes finding objects in the night sky really easy. However, it has a slightly smaller aperture than some of the other telescopes reviewed above and therefore offers slightly darker views than our top picks.
Aperture
3.5 inches
Focal Length:
1,250mm
Magnification:
213x
Computer:
Yes
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The Meade Infinity 102mm AZ is a great beginner telescope at a fair price. As a refractor telescope it allows for observation of both astronomical and earth objects. We liked the very easy assembly, the large aperture and focal length, and the very affordable price point. The bright red dot view finder is another very helpful feature. Highly recommended!
Aperture
4 inches
Focal Length:
600mm
Magnification:
95x
Computer:
No
If you're looking for that classic telescope design, the Celestron 21061 AstroMaster is the way to go. It works very well and is the one of the best budget telescopes. At 2.7 inches its aperture is on the smaller side, but it's very affordable and works well for viewing the moon (use a filter!) and planets. If you're a beginner or are looking for a gift, this is it.
Aperture
2 inches
Focal Length:
900mm
Magnification:
165x
Computer:
No
The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST is a very good intermediate telescope. It includes lots of useful features while still being very affordable. The 130ST offers bright, clear views of the night sky and good optics. Orion, the manufacturer, is known for excellent build quality and customer service, so you can buy this telescope with confidence. It's a great choice for beginners who want room to grow.
Aperture
5.1 inches
Focal Length:
650mm
Magnification:
65x
Computer:
No
The Meade ETX80 is a brand new telescope that convinced us with great optics and the many included accessories. You get a sturdy tripod, a 45-degree roof prism, a star software DVD, and best of all an excellent backpack that fits the telescope, tripod, and all included accessories. It's a great, affordable bundle that's ready to go right out of the box and offers a fun astronomy experience.
Aperture
3.15 inches
Focal Length:
400mm
Magnification:
41x
Computer:
Yes
The Astroscan Millennium is another new telescope. It's very easy to use, making it a great choice for young astronomers and telescope beginners. The Millenium comes with a high-quality azimuth mount (with carrying handle), laser star finder, a helpful manual, and a 2-year warranty. We also really liked the price point, especially since this is a recently released telescope. A great choice!
Aperture
4.5 inches
Focal Length:
450mm
Magnification:
50x
Computer:
No
Watching the night sky and exploring the wonders of our universe is one of the most exciting experiences you can have. But without the right preparation and knowledge it can also be frustrating to use your first telescope. No worries, we’ve got you covered. Here are a couple of tips that will make it fun and easy to watch the night sky with your brand new telescope.
One of the easiest ways to improve the quality and clarity of what you see through your telescope is to take light and heat sources into account. Light pollution is a pretty obvious obstacle to seeing lots of stars, so if possible make sure to use your telescope out in nature, as far away from cities and artificial light as possible. This also goes for the moon: If your goal is to observe the moon directly with a moon filter then wait until the moon looks like a crescent or is half full. This will guarantee that you see some beautiful shadows which highlight the many craters and features on the moon. However, if your goal is to see stars, planets, galaxies and other celestial objects then the best time to bring out your telescope is when the moon is new or young (i.e. as dark as possible).
Now, what about the temperature differences we mentioned? You don't have to think about it too much but generally its recommended to stay away from pavement, building and other large objects that absorb heat by day and release it at night. The released heat creates air currents that make the image in your telescope less sharp. Instead, look for large open areas in nature, especially if they are covered in grass.
Another important tip is to adjust your expectations. You're probably accustomed to the astonishing images coming out of professional NASA telescopes like the Hubble. Well, your telescope won't show images quite like that but it will still be an amazing experience! With the right telescope you will be able to see stars, planets, galaxies, and much more in great detail. Plus, and this is by far the most exiting part, you will see them live and in person, the second their light arrives on earth. So go in with reasonable expectations about what you can see and leave with a feeling of wonder!
Using your telescope's build-in computer controller is a great way to improve what you can see. But what about apps? There are a lot of amazing, often free, astronomy and telescope apps. Here are the best ones:
Star Walk 2 is an amazing stargazing tool that combines astronomical data with modern technology to deliver an effortless journey through thousands of stars, comets, and constellations. All you do is point your smartphone of tablet at the night sky and the app automatically shows you lots of useful information about what you are seeing. You can zoom in and out and click objects to learn more about them. You can find the app in the Apple iOS App Store and on Google Play for Android.
Wonders of the Universe Take a mind-blowing 3D tour of the Universe with famous British astrophysicist Brian Cox as your guide. Journey up from the smallest particles, past the moons and planets of the Solar System, out through the Oort Cloud to the Milky Way, past our Local Stars and out to distant galaxies before arriving, finally, at the edge of the known Universe. Available in the Apple iOS App Store and on Google Play for Android phones.
ISS Spotter makes it easy for you to spot the International Space Station (ISS). You can see the forecast of visible passes and set alarms to be on time to view the ISS. The built in compass and tools will allow you to spot the ISS easily. While you won't be able to see the ISS through your telescope (it's way too fast to track) you can easily see it with the naked eye and it's really amazing to watch as it flies by. Check out the app on the Apple iOS App Store and on Google Play for Android.
NASA Discover the latest images, videos, mission information, news, feature stories, tweets, NASA TV and featured content. This app includes a ton of fascinating information and multimedia, including over 10,000 on-demand videos about the universe and NASA's awesome work. Get it on iTunes or on Google Play.
Your telescope's mount is extremely important because it stabilizes your view, making it possible for you to see sharp, shake-free images of space. There are basically two types of telescope mounts: Altazimuth mounts and Equatorial mounts. Here's how they work.
This is the simplest telescope mount design. It has two motions, vertical and horizontal. The name is based on the vertical "altitude" motion (up/down) and the horizontal "azimuth" motion (side-to-side). Modern telescopes with altazimuth mounts often have computer control or a manual, slow-motion adjustment knob to precisely track objects. It's all about giving you maximum control over how the telescope moves. An example of an altazimuth mounted telescope is the Celestron NexStar 130SLT reviewed above.
In simple terms, equatorial mounts are designed to follow the rotating night sky as the Earth turns. While you need to adjust two directions with an altazimuth mount, you align the equatorial mount to the Earth's axis (pole to pole). This way you can slowly turn it and objects in the sky will appear to stand still in your field of view. It's definitely a bit harder to use but for astrophotography this type of telescope mount is the best choice. An example of an excellent equatorial mounted telescope is the Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker reviewed above.
A high-quality mount is definitely the most important factor in seeing shake-free views of space but with any telescope mount there are a few tricks you can use to get even better image quality. First, chose a solid surface to make sure the telescope doesn't slowly move. Then, weight down your telescope tripod (for example with a backpack) so it's heavier and less sensitive to vibrations from wind and touches. Speaking of touching, when you look through your new telescope it often helps to get really close without actually touching the eyepiece. This prevents your body's movements from shaking the telescope. Also, make sure that you tighten all screws after setting up your telescope. Lastly, we highly recommend getting some good anti-vibration pads, which can really make a difference. Here are some excellent anti-vibration pads.
Telescopes are one of the most amazing technologies ever created by humans. First invented at the beginning of the 17th century, they have become affordable high-tech masterpieces that allow you to explore the wonders of the universe right from your backyard. Nothing beats watching stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae and other wonders of the night sky!
If you're interested in learning more about telescopes and their history, take a look at this Wikipedia page. There are also great, in depth pages about the universe, the solar system, astronomy, and amateur astronomy. Additionally, if you're looking for an even more in-dept list of cosmic events to watch, check out this calendar of astronomy events to watch this year and for many years in the future. If you're interested in more resources or need help to find the best telescope to buy, please contact us. We're happy to help! Shameless plug: If you can't get enough of unique science products, check out GeekWrapped's huge science gift guide.
Check out our other science articles. We've create in-depth, expert guides for you, covering astronomy, science blogs, Neil deGrasse Tyson quotes, science gifts for girls, science podcasts, the best science books, Youtube science channels, science apps, and YouTube tech channels.
Get the most out of your new telescope with these smart telescope accessories. Telescope accessories vary by brand but they have one thing in common: They take your stargazing experience to the next level with added convenience and better views. Here are the telescope accessories we recommend getting. Double check that they are compatible with your specific telescope.
Ok, this product is simply incredible. It lets you easily attach your smartphone to virtually any telescope. Get ready to take beautiful pictures and videos of the night sky, planets, and neighbors (just kidding)! Once the product is set up you can easily take pictures of Mars and Saturn that looked sharp and astonishing. Then we pointed the telescope to the moon and snapped absolutely stunning photos and videos of it slowly moving through the field of view. When you’re done, you can share your best images and videos with your family and friends and on social media. By the way, this is also a great product to get children and teenagers interested in astronomy!
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A good telescope bag or carrying case is a smart investment. It is an affordable way to protect the sensitive optics while also making it much easier to take your telescope with you anywhere. We recommend the Celestron Carrying Case shown here, but you can also find other cheap options. For example, check out these aluminum hard-shell cases and these high-quality carrying bags from Meade. If these do not fit what you are looking for, take a look at all these options, ranging from bags to rolling cases. Just make sure to keep an eye on the size of your telescope and if it fits with accessories.
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The smartest and most cost-effective way to increase the performance of your telescope is a quality set of eyepieces. If you have a Celestron telescope, we highly recommend their official accessory kit. It includes a great 2x Barlow lens as well as five superior grade Plossl eyepieces, all fully multi-coated for maximum contrast and resolution. Together, this provides you with ten different power combinations that enable you to see planets, galaxies, and other objects much better. The kit also includes six color filters for much better visibility of planets. Meade telescope owners can get great accessory kits here and Orion fans here. Looking for other kits? Take a look right here.
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If you are looking for a little help to find the best objects in the night sky, there are a number of great, affordable books to check out. We love 50 Things To See With A Small Telescope and NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe. If you have young stargazers who like to learn more about the universe and their new telescope, take a look at the amazing Child's Introduction to the Night Sky as well as The Everything Kids' Astronomy Book. Last but certainly not least, get the very affordable Guide to the Stars. It is a 16-inch diameter plastic star chart that helps you identify and learn the constellations. Many telescope support computer controlled star navigation, but studying the constellations the classic way is still fun and a time-honored tradition.
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No telescope works if it is not clean. After observing for a few weeks in nature, you might notice some dust and other things on the lens and the telescope itself. Do not just wipe it with a paper towel as this may scratch the sensitive optics. Instead, it is smart to get a professional telescope cleaning kit in advance. We recommend the cheap and excellent Altura Photo Professional Cleaning Kit. Yes, it is designed for DSLR photo cameras but works for most telescope lenses as well. Alternatively, you can use Orion’s specialized six-piece kit as well. It is a little pricier but very high quality. Tip: Make sure always to read your telescope's manual for cleaning and care instructions first. You definitely don’t want to end up with a scratched lens! Sometimes the cheapest and easiest way to remove dust is to blow it off with a lens air blower.
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If you plan to look at the moon, you definitely need a moon filter! Why? The moon is quite close to us (compared to all other celestial objects) and reflects A LOT of sunlight, directly through the telescope into your eyes. So that make your lunar observation both safe and comfortable, a moon filter is needed. Different moon filters fit different telescopes. You can find Celestron moon filters here, Orion moon filters over here, and Meade moon filters by clicking here. If these do not fit your telescope or you own a different brand, head over here for a full list of affordable filter options. Speaking of filters, there are more options here than just a moon filter. Check out the fascinating products here which offer features ranging from color adjustment for better visibility of planets to light pollution reduction.
Check Price NowIf it’s your first time buying a telescope or a modernized model, then this guide is here to teach you all about getting the most out of your purchase.
From picking between computerized and classic models to finding a telescope for your kids, keep reading below to learn which model is perfect for you.
Thanks to modern-day technology, we now have the choice to automate our telescopes. This gives you a choice between picking a classic telescope or a computerized one that finds objects for you.
If you’ve used a telescope before or want to learn how to find interesting objects by star maps or coordinates, a classic telescope is wonderful. Using a classic telescope can be great if you don’t want to pay for the extra features.
Computerized telescopes can help first-time beginners quickly locate attractions in the sky. Just let your telescope know what you’re looking for, and you will be assisted in finding the perfect view. You can also choose to manually find objects instead of relying on the computer.
Using a telescope can be a tricky business as many popular viewing areas actually inhibit your telescope. Below we let you know the effects different areas have on the use of your telescope. This guide will help you pick the perfect spot to set your telescope.
Buildings, roads, and sidewalks all release heat at night, which can interfere with the clarity of your telescope. Try to use your telescope in a clear area where there are no obstructions. This includes your house, driveway, and outdoor buildings commonly placed in yards.
Just like with other structures, the heat coming off or from within your house can change the clarity of your telescope. It’s best to view your telescope through a closed window if you can’t go outside. Be aware that while this will be better for clarity, many windows will make viewing the sky at angle difficult.
Another popular spot for telescope use in on a deck. Sadly, decks also off-put heat, and wood tends to carry the vibrations of movement that happens on top of it. This can cause your telescope lens to move each time you take a step.
Just like when you turn the lights off at night, you need time for your eyes to adjust before you can view things in a telescope clearly. Wait to your eyes are fully adjusted to the dark before trying to look at the night sky.
To have the best viewing experience, make sure your telescope is touching the ground. By this, we mean the grass, dirt, or rocks that naturally occur in nature. By using the ground, you can avoid vibrations and heat.
If your little one is as interested in viewing the stars as you are, then a telescope can be a wonderful tool for education. These are some of the best tips for giving your kids a proper star viewing experience.
Provide Adult Supervision
The most important part of kid-friendly telescope use is supervision. Most kids don’t realize how to use a telescope at first, much less the fact that looking directly at the moon can damage their eyes.
Should You Buy Another Telescope
As long as you picked a durable model, your kids should be able to use your telescope just fine under supervision. If you feel like your child may be to rough on your telescope or have a toddler, then buying a kid-friendly telescope may be best.
Provide a Stool or Adjust The telescope
Your child may struggle to look through the telescope if possible adjust the telescope to their height. Alternatively, you can use a sturdy child stool to give them a boost.
The Hands-on Approach
Give your kids a course on how to use the telescope. Let them fiddle with the settings and advise them on how to find targets and then adjust the scope to make them clearer. Supervised hands-on experience will get your child use to stargazing.
Provide Education Materials
Use the internet or books to show your kids interesting objects in the sky. When your child picks out an object they would like to see, then help them hone in on it with the telescope. This can be a great chance to teach them the names of constellations.
To keep your Telescope in tip-top shape, you will need to do some proper maintenance and take steps to keep it safe. Below are some quick tips for keeping your Telescope in good condition.
Cleaning Your Telescope
You will need to occasionally wipe down your telescope to make sure the lens stays in great condition. Use a lens safer cleaner and soft wipe to do this to avoid scratching your lens. A soft cloth can also be used to wipe away the fog from the lens.
Telescope Use in and After the Rain
Like many other tools, a telescope can be damaged by rain or water. If you plan to use your telescope when the weather is calling for rain, then bring a tarp to keep it dry. If it’s already rained, use wooden blocks to keep from using your telescope on the mushy ground.
Repairing a Broken Telescope
Depending on the company and lens, you may be able to order in parts to repair your telescope. You will want to seek help from the manual or company before taking your telescope apart for the first time. If you’re not handy, then look online for shops that work on telescopes.
Where to Store Your Telescope
Once you're done using your telescope, remember to bring it in for the night or cover it up. Make sure to check the weather if you cover it with a tarp to make sure there won’t be any storms or snow.
