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Best Amateur Telescope of 2023: 10 ideas

Maybelle McGlynn
  Jun 7, 2023 2:07 AM

Amateur astronomy is a fascinating hobby that can lead you to explore the depths of our universe. A good telescope is essential to get started with this hobby. However, with so many telescopes available in the market, it can be challenging to choose the right one. In this article, we will guide you to the best amateur telescope and help you with a buying guide.


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BUYING GUIDE

  1. Aperture: The size of the aperture is the most critical factor to consider while buying a telescope. The larger the aperture, the better the telescope will perform. It will gather more light and provide a brighter and clearer image. For an amateur telescope, we recommend an aperture of at least 4 inches.

  2. Focal length: The focal length determines the magnification of the telescope. A longer focal length will provide a higher magnification, but it will also narrow the field of view. A shorter focal length will provide a wider field of view but lower magnification. A good focal length for an amateur telescope is between 500mm to 1000mm.

  3. Mount: There are two types of mounts, Altazimuth and Equatorial. An Altazimuth mount is easy to use and ideal for observing the moon and planets. An Equatorial mount is more complex but is necessary for long-exposure astrophotography.

  4. Optical Design: There are three types of optical designs, Refractor, Reflector, and Compound. Refractors are easy to maintain and provide a crisp and clear image. Reflectors are more affordable and gather more light than refractors. Compound telescopes offer the benefits of both refractors and reflectors.

Best Amateur Telescope:

  1. After researching various telescopes available in the market, we recommend the Celestron NexStar 8SE as the best amateur telescope.
  2. The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a compound telescope with an 8-inch aperture, providing a bright and clear image. It has a focal length of 2032mm, providing a high magnification of up to 480x. The telescope comes with an Altazimuth mount, making it easy to use and ideal for observing the moon, planets, and deep-sky objects. It also includes the StarPointer finderscope, which helps locate objects quickly.

FAQs

  1. What can I see with an amateur telescope?
  • With an amateur telescope, you can observe the moon, planets, stars, and galaxies. You can also see nebulae, star clusters, and other deep-sky objects.
  1. Is it necessary to have an Equatorial mount for an amateur telescope?
  • No, it is not necessary to have an Equatorial mount for an amateur telescope. An Altazimuth mount is sufficient for observing the moon, planets, and deep-sky objects. However, if you want to pursue astrophotography, an Equatorial mount is necessary.

best amateur telescope


CONCLUSION

Choosing the best amateur telescope is essential to get started with amateur astronomy. We recommend the Celestron NexStar 8SE as the best amateur telescope. It has an 8-inch aperture, providing a bright and clear image, and comes with an Altazimuth mount, making it easy to use. Consider the aperture, focal length, mount, and optical design while buying a telescope. Happy stargazing!

Thank you for reading!

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