⚠️ Warning
Don't buy a telescope from a department store. Most "beginner" telescopes under $200 are trash. You'll see blurry images, struggle to find objects, and give up on astronomy forever.
The #1 Mistake: Buying Based on Magnification
"500x magnification!" screams the box at Target. Here's the truth: magnification is almost irrelevant. What matters is aperture (the diameter of the mirror or lens).
The Golden Rule
Bigger aperture = more light = better views. A 6-inch telescope at 100x will show you more detail than a 3-inch telescope at 500x.
What You Should Actually Buy
For beginners, there are 3 good options:
1. Dobsonian Reflector (Best Value)
A "Dob" is a simple telescope on a lazy-susan mount. No motors, no electronics, just point and look.
- Recommended: Apertura AD8 Dobsonian (8-inch, $699)
- Budget: Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P (5-inch, $249)
Pros: Huge aperture for the price, dead simple to use
Cons: Bulky, manual tracking (no GoTo)
2. Computerized Telescope (Easiest to Use)
These have motors that automatically find objects. Perfect if you live in light-polluted suburbs.
- Recommended: Celestron NexStar 6SE (6-inch, $1,099)
- Budget: Celestron NexStar 4SE (4-inch, $599)
Pros: Finds objects for you, compact
Cons: Smaller aperture per dollar, requires batteries/power
3. Budget Starter (Under $300)
If you're not sure astronomy is for you, start here:
- Orion StarBlast 4.5 ($249) - Tabletop Dobsonian
- Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ ($179) - Refractor on tripod
What NOT to Buy
- ❌ Anything advertised as "500x" or higher magnification
- ❌ Anything from a department store (Target, Walmart, etc.)
- ❌ Brand new "EQ mounts" (they're complicated and frustrating for beginners)
- ❌ Telescopes under 70mm aperture (too small to see anything interesting)
Essential Accessories
Every telescope needs:
- Red flashlight: Preserves night vision ($10-20)
- Star chart or app: SkySafari (app) or a printed planisphere
- Collimation tool: Only for reflectors ($30)
Find Dark Skies Near You
Even the best telescope won't show much from light-polluted cities. Use our map to find Bortle 3-4 zones.
Open Dark Sky Map →