Find recommended astronomy equipment. Including the best telescopes and binoculars for stargazing.
The new trend disrupting telescopes is hybrid smart telescopes that have cameras built in. They are operated by your smartphone and make astrophotography easy, plus they provide an answer to the problem of light pollution for astronomy in cities. Right now there are six models that you can buy, each with its pros and cons: … Read more
If you are confused about aperture don’t worry, it is a fairly muddled concept. It is a term used differently for telescopes and camera lenses, despite them being very similar optical devices. In this article, we hope to quickly and clearly clarify this. Aperture in Telescopes To read more on this, see What is Telescope … Read more
The specifications of a telescope are confusing – aperture, focal length, magnification? Just what matters and what tells you how good a telescope actually is? Well, Aperture is probably the most important thing you should pay attention to when buying a telescope. But what is telescope aperture and what is a good aperture for a … Read more
You may have seen telescope mounts boast that they are with encoders or absolute encoders. But what does this mean and is it something you need? In this article we are going to investigate and try and answer the questions: What Are Encoders? We are not going to go too much deeper into this as … Read more
Harmonic Drive Telescope Mounts are disrupting the astronomy and astrophotography world. Previously, German Equatorial Mounts were the obvious choice for astrophotographers, with Alt-Azimuth mounts dominant for astronomy. But the Harmonic Drive Mount is becoming increasingly popular, with more models entering the market and prices coming down. They are small, light, accurate, and require no counterweights. … Read more
When looking to buy a telescope you will likely notice that many label themselves as “GOTO Telescopes”. But what does this mean and is it something that you need? Read on to find out. What is a GOTO Telescope? GOTO Telescopes are packages containing: Plus likely also some accessories like eyepieces and barlow lenses. Therefore … Read more
If you are looking at buying a telescope it will most likely come with one of two main types of mount: altitude-azimuth or equatorial. The TLDR on Alt-Azimuth vs Equatorial mounts is: Read on to understand why and for some other factors to consider that may be relevant for you. Alt-Azimuth Telescopes & Mounts Altitude-Azimuth … Read more
Ask pretty much any astronomer or astrophotographer and they’ll tell you that your mount is as important as your telescope. However, it can be hard to get your head around all the different mount types and to understand the terminology around them. Here we have written our guide to all the different types of telescope … Read more
When most people think about getting a piece of equipment for viewing the night sky they assume that they need a telescope. However, binoculars have a number of advantages that can make them a good option to telescopes for many people. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of binoculars vs telescopes to … Read more
Monoculars and telescopes are similar optical devices but are ultimately quite different and suit different purposes. In this article we investigate the differences between telescopes and monoculars and identify what each is best for. What is the Difference Between a Telescope and a Monocular? A telescope is an optical device that uses lenses, mirrors, or … Read more
Spotting scopes and monoculars can appear fairly similar but there are some key differences to consider. This can mean that one of these will suit you better than the other depending on what you want to do. With our expertise on astronomy and astrophotography gear, we have written this guide for you from that perspective, … Read more
Binoculars and monoculars can both be used for astronomy and stargazing. But what are the differences and what is best for night sky viewing and astrophotography? We have written this guide from an astronomy perspective, but many of the pros and cons will be applicable for other pursuits like bird-watching, hunting or shooting, etc. Read … Read more
*This website makes money through affiliate commissions. This means we may be compensated if you click links on this page at no extra cost to you. The most powerful telescopes you can buy to use at home will have an aperture of 8 inches to 12 inches. This is the best measurement of the power … Read more
Cyber Monday 2022 has now passed. In the meantime, check out these articles for some great astrophotography and astronomy equipment recommendations: When was Cyber Monday 2022? Cyber Monday was on 28 November 2022. When was Black Friday 2022? Black Friday falls on the day after Thanksgiving. So in 2022, it was on Friday 25 November … Read more
Amazon Prime 2022 has now passed. Check out some of these articles for astronomy and astrophotography gear recommendations: When was Amazon Prime Day 2022? This year, Amazon Prime Day took place on 12 and 13 July 2022. When was Black Friday 2022? Black Friday falls on the day after Thanksgiving. So in 2022, it was … Read more
One of the first questions when considering a telescope is what is best: refractor vs reflector. Although this is the most common debate, there are actually 3 main types of telescope: Below we consider the pros and cons of each and recommend what telescope type is best for a beginner. Refractor Telescopes Refractor telescopes (often … Read more
This is our introduction to Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA), covering: Read on to find out more. What is Electronically Assisted Astronomy? Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) is a form of observational astronomy with a telescope that uses a camera instead of an eyepiece. The camera captures a sequence of short exposures, then software stacks and processes … Read more
Black Friday 2022 has now passed. Check out some of these articles for astronomy and astrophotography gear recommendations: When is Black Friday 2022? Black Friday falls on the day after Thanksgiving. So in 2022, it was on Friday 25 November 2022. When is Cyber Monday 2022? Black Friday was followed by Cyber Monday on 28 … Read more
If you are an experienced astronomer – or just unafraid of a challenge – then an intermediate telescope with a 6 to 8-inch aperture might be right for you. Many beginners’ telescopes can be disproportionately expensive as they add features only useful for kids or first-time users. With an intermediate-level telescope, you can get a … Read more
The new Celestron StarSense Explorer telescopes use your smartphone to make it much easier to find planets, galaxies, and other objects to look at. This helps remove much of the frustration that can occur when starting with astronomy – that it is too hard and takes too long to find things to look at. But … Read more
Dobsonians are the best value telescope type and an 8-inch Dobsonian telescope provides the perfect balance of power to price. In this article, we recommend the top models available in 2023 and outline the key pros and cons of each. See below for quick links or read on for further detail. *This website makes money … Read more
If you are looking for a portable telescope to take on a trip then there are some great options to suit different budgets. We recommend the five best travel telescopes along with their pros and cons and compare the alternatives in the shape of binoculars, monoculars, and spotting scopes. See below for quick links or … Read more
The main difference between spotting scopes and binoculars is that binoculars allow you to use both your eyes, whilst with spotting scopes you use just one. However, spotting scopes do have some advantages depending on what you want to use them for. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of spotting scopes vs … Read more
A good home telescope can cost anything from $70 to $20,000, and more specialized models for observatories can go up to $700,000! But why are telescopes so expensive? In this article, we outline the key reasons why telescopes are not cheap, what factors increase the price, and why you get what you pay for. What … Read more
How much does a good telescope cost? We believe that $70-$100 is the minimum you need to spend to get a good telescope for beginners or kids. In general, as long as you go for a trusted brand you get what you pay for, so if you can spend more you will be rewarded with … Read more
The Celestron SkyMaster 20×80 are a great pair of astronomy binoculars. They will enhance your viewing of the night sky, whilst being easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Read below for the full review, covering what you can see with them, how they compare to other models, and how to use them for photography. *This … Read more
A barlow lens is a cost-effective accessory that increases the magnification of your telescope, and it combines with your eyepieces to effectively double your viewing options. We recommend here the Best Barlow Lenses and examine their pros and cons. See the table below for quick links, or reason for more information. *This website makes money … Read more
There are a number of great tripods for binoculars for astronomy and other pursuits. In this article, we examine the best options available, including the best budget and lightweight options, and the best for heavy binoculars. See the quick links in the table below, or read on for more detailed reviews and recommendations. *This website … Read more
With Computerized Telescopes, you can find stars, planets, galaxies, and more at the press of a button. Also known as GOTO or Computer-Controlled Telescopes, they are much easier to use for beginners and experienced users alike, and find amazing objects in space for you to view much quicker. We have examined here the Best Computerized … Read more
When most people think about getting into astronomy they assume that they need a telescope. However, spotting scopes have a number of advantages that can make them a good alternative option to telescopes for some people. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of spotting scopes vs telescopes to help you decide what … Read more
Maksutov-Cassegrains and Schmidt-Cassegrains are two of the most popular telescope types on the market and there are a number of great models available of both. But what are the pros and cons of each that you should know about when considering buying? In this article, we examine Maksutov-Cassegrains vs Schmidt-Cassegrains and outline the advantages and … Read more
The Celestron NexStar computerized telescopes are some of the most popular on the market and there are 12 models in the range: Four in the SLT category Four in the SE category Four in the Evolution category But of these telescopes, what are the differences and which one is right for you? Below we assess … Read more
Astronomy binoculars are a great alternative to telescopes. They are generally smaller, easier to use, and cheaper. For those reasons, they are great for beginners and experienced astronomers alike. In this article, we examine what to look for when buying binoculars for astronomy and recommend the best models – covering the best budget and beginner … Read more
There are many advantages to using a spotting scope over a telescope for astronomy – it is often a much simpler affair with fewer accessories involved, you have something versatile for daytime and night sky use, and they tend to be cheaper. In this article, we have researched the best spotting scopes for astronomy and … Read more
Primarily for wildlife viewing, hunting and daytime observing, monoculars and small handheld telescopes can also be great for astronomy and even astrophotography. They are ultra-compact and light as well as being easy to use, and so have many advantages over telescopes and binoculars, particularly when traveling. Here we recommend the best monoculars for stargazing for … Read more
With hundreds to choose from it can be hard to work out what telescope to buy. I got it totally wrong with my first telescope – it was too bulky and too hard to use – learn from my mistake! In this article, we provide recommendations on the best telescopes for beginners for a range … Read more
A telescope can make a great present for a child. It can stimulate interest in the sciences and the wider world and also give a parent something they can do as a family. In this article, we recommend the best telescopes for kids of all ages and for a range of budgets and explain what … Read more
Of these three great 8-inch Celestron telescope packages what are the differences and which is right for you? The top line is: The Celestron NexStar 8SE is the lighest and cheapest but with the weakest mount and lacking a few built-in features that the Evolutions’ have The Celestron Evolution 8 is more expensive, but comes … Read more
Night Vision Astronomy is the repurposing of night vision devices and technology for astronomical observing. Using these devices lights up the sky and enables you to see much more than you would otherwise – either with the naked eye or with a telescope under comparable conditions. It can be utilized for both wide-field stargazing and … Read more
When researching and buying a telescope, choosing one from a reputable brand can be a good way of ensuring you get a quality product. On the other hand, there seemingly good value telescopes available for sale from unknown brands. Should these be avoided or are they bargains? We dig into this below. Reputable telescope brands … Read more