If you’re passionate about astronomy and you like the idea of observing stars, planets, and galaxies directly from the comfort of your own house, we have great news for you. It’s not mandatory to head over to an observatory for that kind of purpose, as you can easily invest a few hundred bucks to observe planets and stars straight from your own room or rooftop.
An entry-level telescope usually costs between 100 and 300 bucks, which means that pretty much anyone can afford one. You can buy such telescopes from online retailers such as Amazon, B&H Photo Video, OPT Telescopes, and Telescope.com. However, you could also consider options such as astronomy clubs and forums, secondhand markets such as eBay and Craiglist, and so on.
Here are some of the best possible tips to help you choose the best telescope for your astronomic needs:
Establish a budget:
Telescopes come in a wide range of prices, so it’s important to take a certain budget into account. You should also remember that in general, nothing of good quality is cheap in life, and that simple principle even applies to telescopes as well. In other words, quality telescopes can be found at pretty high price points. If you’re tight on money, you can consider saving some small amounts each month to pile up the amount you need.
Consider your own astronomic goals:
You need to know for sure what are your astronomic goals. Some like to observe planets, others want to see galaxies, while others like to embrace the powerful light of the stars. Different telescopes are better suited for different types of astronomic observations, which means that it’s important to think about your observing goals before making a purchase.
Choose the right telescope:
You need to keep in mind that there are three main types of telescopes out there: refractors, reflectors, as well as compound telescopes. Refractors take advantage of lenses to gather and focus light, reflectors use mirrors, and compound telescopes combine both of the technologies. Each type comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, which means that you should definitely do your research to determine which type best fits your needs.
Consider portability and ease of use:
If you plan to take your telescope on the go or have limited storage space, portability is an important factor that you need to consider. You need to look for telescopes that are lightweight and easy to set up and use, especially if you’re a beginner.
Read reviews and look for expert advice:
Before you make a purchase, you should take the time to read reviews from other users and seek advice from those astronomers who are more experienced. They can provide valuable insights into the performance and reliability of various telescope models that you can try.
Feel free to tell us about your own experiences with using a telescope from home if you have one! We’re eager to read all of our comments, especially if they come from people who are passionate about astronomy!
