So you’ve decided to get yourself a telescope. Maybe you’ve heard people talking about astrophotography, or you’ve seen the stunning James Webb Telescope images. Whatever sparked your interest, there are a few important things to consider before making your purchase. This guide covers key questions to ask yourself and provides some equipment suggestions.

What Is Your Primary Goal?

Why do you want a telescope? Are you drawn to visual astronomy (eyepiece viewing), astrophotography, or just exploring the night sky? What kinds of objects interest you (moon, planets, galaxies)? Will it be used by children or others? A user-friendly telescope is essential if you’re sharing it.

How Much Time Can You Commit?

Astronomy has a learning curve. You’ll need time to learn the sky, your telescope, and mount operation. If you only have limited free time, avoid setups that are difficult to assemble or use. Astrophotography, in particular, requires a big time investment. Be honest about your commitment so your gear matches your lifestyle.

Types of Telescopes

Telescopes come in three major designs, each with its own strengths and trade-offs:

Refractors use lenses to bend and focus light. They provide high-contrast,sharp images, making them excellent for lunar, planetary, and double star observation. They’re typically low-maintenance and durable, as the optical system is sealed.

• Achromatic Refractors: These are more affordable and good for beginners, but they may suffer from chromatic aberration—color fringing around bright objects.

• Apochromatic (APO) Refractors: These use special glass elements to correct color fringing and are ideal for astrophotography and high-precision observation. They’re more expensive but deliver superior image quality.

Reflectors use mirrors instead of lenses. The most common type is the Newtonian reflector.These offer large apertures at lower cost, making them great for viewing faint deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae. However, they require occasional collimation (mirror alignment) and are more prone to dust.

• Dobsonian Reflectors: A type of Newtonian mounted on a simple alt-az base. They’re easy to use, inexpensive for large apertures, and excellent for visual astronomy

Catadioptrics combine lenses and mirrors to create compact, versatile systems. They are excellent all-rounders, suited for both planetary and deep-sky viewing and astrophotography.

• Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes (SCTs): Fold the light path to offer long focal lengths in a short tube. They’re extremely popular due to their portability and versatility.

• Maksutov-Cassegrain: Similar to SCTs but with a simpler design that gives sharp planetary views. They tend to have longer cool-down times and are better for visual use than astrophotography.

Optical Aberrations

No telescope is perfect. Refractors may show field curvature, while Newtonians can display coma. These aberrations may not bother beginners but are noticeable in widefield astrophotography. Accessories like field flatteners (for refractors) or coma correctors (for Newtonians) can help improve image quality.

The Mount Matters

Your mount is more critical than the telescope. A poor mount can ruin your experience, especially for astrophotography. Invest in a quality mount with a payload capacity 30% higher than your total gear weight. For astrophotography, even more capacity is better.

Portability

Will you travel with your telescope or keep it at home? Portability is key if you need to drive to dark-sky sites. A large, heavy telescope may seem ideal until you realize it’s a pain to move. Smaller, portable options often get more use.

Equipment

My Setup (Skywatcher EQ5 Pro, Skywatcher 130PDS)

Recommendations

Mounts

• Skywatcher Star Adventurer: Great for beginners using DSLR cameras or small scopes.

  The Skywatcher Star Adventurer is a great option for beginner to intermediate-level astrophotographers who need a portable and easy-to-use mount. It has a maximum payload capacity of 11 pounds and is designed for use with DSLR cameras and small telescopes. The Star Adventurer is very easy to set up and align and includes a built-in autoguider port and compatibility with Skywatcher’s SynScan computerized hand controller.

• Skywatcher HEQ5: Intermediate choice with good tracking and portability.

  The Skywatcher HEQ5 mount is a popular choice among those in the intermediate-level. It has a maximum payload capacity of 30 pounds and a precise tracking system that makes it easy to transport and set up in remote locations. The HEQ5 also includes a built-in autoguider port and is compatible with Skywatcher’s SynScan computerized hand controller.

• Skywatcher EQ6 R Pro: Advanced mount with high precision.

  The Skywatcher EQ6 R Pro mount is designed for more for advanced users who need a higher maximum payload capacity and more advanced tracking system. It has a maximum payload capacity of 44 pounds and a highly precise tracking system with a precision of 0.144 arcseconds per step. The EQ6 R Pro also includes a built-in autoguider port and is compatible with the SynScan computerized hand controller.

• Skywatcher EQ8: High-end option for large/heavy scopes and professional use.

  Finally, the Skywatcher EQ8 mount is the largest and most advanced mount in the Skywatcher lineup. It has a maximum payload capacity of 110 pounds and an incredibly precise tracking system with a precision of 0.068 arcseconds per step. The EQ8 is ideal for astrophotographers who require the highest level of performance and need to handle the largest and heaviest telescopes.

Telescopes

• William Optics Redcat 51: Compact, wide-field APO ideal for astrophotography.

  The William Optics Redcat 51 is an excellent choice for astrophotographers looking for a lightweight and portable telescope. It has a compact design and a wide field of view, making it ideal for capturing stunning wide-field images of the night sky. The Redcat 51 also has a high-quality apochromatic lens, which minimizes chromatic aberration and produces sharp, clear images. Additionally, it is compatible with a range of cameras, including DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. Overall, the William Optics Redcat 51 is a great choice for beginner to intermediate-level astrophotographers looking for a high-quality, versatile telescope.

• Skywatcher 150PDS: 6” Newtonian with good light gathering and fast optics.

  The Skywatcher 150PDS is a popular choice among amateur astronomers due to its large aperture and versatility. With a 6-inch primary mirror, it offers excellent light-gathering capabilities, making it ideal for deep-sky observation and astrophotography. Its short focal length also makes it suitable for wide-field observation, while its fast f/5 focal ratio allows for shorter exposure times when imaging. Additionally, the 150PDS is a relatively affordable telescope compared to others with similar specs, making it a great choice for those on a budget. I personally own the Skywatcher 130PDS, which is slightly smaller and lighter and have to admit it’s an amazing value for money telescope. The only reason I didn’t get the 150PDS for astrophotography is because with my current mount (Skywatcher EQ5 Pro) it would be a little on the heavy side.

• Skywatcher Esprit 100: High-quality APO refractor with excellent optics.

  The Skywatcher Esprit 100 is a great choice for astrophotographers who demand high-quality optics and versatility. It has a 100mm aperture and a focal length of 550mm, which makes it perfect for wide-field imaging of large celestial objects. The Esprit 100 also features a high-quality triplet lens system that ensures sharp and clear images with minimal chromatic aberration. Additionally, it has a dual-speed focuser and is equipped with a retractable dew shield, making it easy to use and transport. Overall, the Skywatcher Esprit 100 is an excellent choice for astrophotographers who need a versatile and high-quality telescope for their imaging needs.

• Celestron Edge HD 8: 8” SCT with corrected optics, sharp edge-to-edge images.

  The Celestron Edge HD 8 is an excellent choice for astrophotographers and amateur astronomers who value sharp and clear images. This telescope is equipped with Celestron’s EdgeHD optical system, which provides superior image quality with minimized distortion, especially at the edges of the field of view. The 8-inch aperture allows for excellent light gathering, making it possible to capture detailed images of deep-sky objects.

• Takahashi Telescopes: Premium instruments known for precision and clarity.

  Finally, Takahashi telescopes are known for their exceptional quality and precision. They are a great choice for serious astrophotographers and observers who demand the very best. Takahashi telescopes are constructed with the finest materials and components, ensuring optimal performance and longevity. Their optics are renowned for their sharpness, clarity, and contrast, making them ideal for capturing detailed and beautiful images of celestial objects. While they come at a premium price, Takahashi telescopes are a wise investment for those who are looking for the best possible viewing and imaging experience.

Takeaway

Know your goals, commitment level, and needs before buying. Whether you choose a refractor, reflector, or catadioptric, your experience depends greatly on your mount and how well the equipment suits your lifestyle. Remember that learning the hobby of astronomy requires effort and time, but investing in a telescope can offer many years of enjoyment and discovery. Take your time, do the research, and enjoy the journey into the night sky.