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I went for models with apertures of at least 3 or 4 inches, depending on the type of telescope.
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The more light, the greater detail you’ll be able to see. I used what I learned from them, as well as outside research, to narrow down my choices for the best telescopes for beginners based on the following criteria:Īperture: A telescope’s aperture describes the diameter of the lens - and, therefore, how much light it lets in. Best Starter Set: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ How We Picked the Best Telescopes for BeginnersĪs a journalist and product reviewer, I’ve interviewed astronomers and astrophysicists about finding the best telescopes. Best Overall: Sky-Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian 8-Inch - Best for Kids: Gskyer 90mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope - Best Value: Celestron FirstScope Telescope - Best Computerized: Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope - Best Portable: Popular Science by Celestron Travel Scope 70 Whether you know absolutely nothing about telescopes or this is the 15th article you’ve read to convince yourself to bite the bullet, the best telescopes for beginners will help you reach new celestial heights. Today’s telescopes aren’t like Galileo’s - nowadays, you can find lightweight devices that can be easily transported anywhere. If you’re a suburb-to-city transplant like me (or just a new astro-enthusiast), the best telescopes for beginners can help you find your favorite constellations and planets from any rooftop or park. When I moved to New York City for college, I had to adjust to barely seeing any stars in Manhattan even on the clearest nights, and even though I now live in Brooklyn, I can only get a slightly better view from my roof. The house I grew up in was in a wooded part of town, and as soon as spring started every year, I’d spend at least an hour out on the porch each night trying to see if I could point out Orion’s Belt or the Big Dipper. My favorite part about summers in my home state of Georgia is getting to see all the stars on a clear night. I’ve been hunting for the best telescopes for beginners for a while now.
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