Beyond the Backyard: Choosing the Right Telescope for Astrophotography
Astrophotography, the art of capturing images of celestial objects, has become increasingly popular among amateur and professional astronomers alike. Whether you're looking to photograph distant galaxies or the craters on the moon, selecting the right telescope is crucial for achieving stunning results. This guide will help you navigate the myriad of options available and compare top models to find the perfect telescope for your astrophotography needs.
Why Choose a Telescope for Astrophotography?
Astrophotography requires a telescope that can deliver clear, sharp images with minimal distortion. The key factors to consider include aperture size, focal length, mount stability, and camera compatibility. A good astrophotography telescope will also have features that facilitate long-exposure photography, essential for capturing the faint light of distant stars and galaxies.
Key Considerations for Astrophotography Telescopes
Aperture Size: Larger apertures allow more light to enter the telescope, providing brighter and more detailed images.
Focal Length: Determines the magnification and field of view. Longer focal lengths offer higher magnification, ideal for detailed lunar and planetary images, while shorter focal lengths are better for wide-field deep-sky photography.
Mount Type: Equatorial mounts are preferred for astrophotography because they can track celestial objects as they move across the sky, crucial for long-exposure shots.
Camera Compatibility: Ensure the telescope can easily connect with your camera setup, whether it’s a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or dedicated astrophotography camera.
Portability: Depending on your needs, you may want a telescope that is easy to transport for field use.
Top 10 Telescopes for Astrophotography Compared
Here, we compare some of the best telescopes for astrophotography available in 2024, focusing on their features, strengths, and ideal use cases.
Overview: The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a versatile, user-friendly telescope that is highly regarded for both visual observation and astrophotography.
Aperture: 8 inches
Focal Length: 2032mm (f/10)
Mount Type: Computerized Altazimuth
Camera Compatibility: Easy attachment with DSLR and mirrorless cameras
Portability: Moderately portable
Pros:
Large aperture for brighter, detailed images
User-friendly with a computerized mount
High-quality optics
Cons:
Altazimuth mount requires a wedge for long-exposure astrophotography
Moderately heavy and bulky
Ideal For: Intermediate to advanced astrophotographers looking for a blend of portability and performance.
Overview: The Sky-Watcher Evostar 80ED is a popular choice among astrophotographers for its excellent optics and portability.
Aperture: 80mm
Focal Length: 600mm (f/7.5)
Mount Type: Requires an equatorial mount
Camera Compatibility: Easily compatible with various camera adapters
Portability: Highly portable
Pros:
High-quality ED glass for sharp, color-corrected images
Lightweight and portable
Affordable
Cons:
Smaller aperture limits brightness and detail
Requires a separate equatorial mount for tracking
Ideal For: Beginners to intermediate users who prioritize portability and optical quality.
Overview: The Meade LX85 is designed specifically for astrophotography with advanced features and robust construction.
Aperture: 8 inches
Focal Length: 2000mm (f/10)
Mount Type: German Equatorial Mount
Camera Compatibility: Excellent integration with astrophotography cameras
Portability: Moderately portable
Pros:
Advanced Coma-Free optics for sharp images across the field
Stable equatorial mount for long exposures
High-quality build
Cons:
Higher cost
Heavier and less portable than some models
Ideal For: Advanced astrophotographers seeking high precision and stability for detailed deep-sky imaging.
Overview: The Orion Atlas Pro AZ/EQ-G is a dual-purpose mount that excels in both altazimuth and equatorial configurations, providing versatility for different astrophotography needs.
Aperture: Dependent on the attached optical tube assembly (OTA)
Focal Length: Varies with OTA
Mount Type: Dual-purpose Altazimuth/Equatorial
Camera Compatibility: Versatile with multiple OTA options
Portability: Dependent on OTA and setup
Pros:
Highly versatile mount
Excellent tracking accuracy
Can support a wide range of OTAs
Cons:
Complex setup
Can be expensive with high-end OTAs
Ideal For: Enthusiasts and professionals looking for a highly adaptable and precise astrophotography setup.
Overview: The William Optics RedCat 51 is a compact, high-quality apochromatic refractor designed for wide-field astrophotography.
Aperture: 51mm
Focal Length: 250mm (f/4.9)
Mount Type: Requires a compatible mount
Camera Compatibility: Easy attachment with various camera types
Portability: Extremely portable
Pros:
Excellent color correction and sharpness
Very lightweight and portable
Great for wide-field astrophotography
Cons:
Small aperture limits deep-sky capabilities
Requires a separate mount for tracking
Ideal For: Beginners and intermediate users focusing on wide-field astrophotography with high portability needs.
Overview: The Celestron Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) 8 is designed for advanced astrophotographers who want to capture wide-field images with exceptional clarity.
Aperture: 8 inches
Focal Length: 400mm (f/2)
Mount Type: Requires an equatorial mount
Camera Compatibility: Ideal for astrophotography cameras
Portability: Moderately portable
Pros:
Extremely fast focal ratio for short exposure times
Excellent image clarity and wide field of view
Designed specifically for astrophotography
Cons:
Expensive
Requires careful handling and setup
Ideal For: Advanced users looking for high-quality, wide-field astrophotography with short exposure times.
Overview: The Orion EON 130mm ED Triplet APO offers exceptional optical quality and is perfect for serious astrophotographers.
Aperture: 130mm
Focal Length: 910mm (f/7)
Mount Type: Requires an equatorial mount
Camera Compatibility: High compatibility with various cameras
Portability: Moderately portable
Pros:
Superb color correction with ED triplet optics
Sturdy construction
Great for both wide-field and high-magnification imaging
Cons:
Expensive
Heavy and less portable
Ideal For: Serious astrophotographers seeking high-quality optics and detailed imaging capabilities.
Overview: The iOptron SkyGuider Pro is a portable, equatorial mount that pairs well with small refractors and camera lenses for astrophotography.
Aperture: Varies with attached optical system
Focal Length: Varies with attached optical system
Mount Type: Portable Equatorial Mount
Camera Compatibility: Excellent with DSLR and mirrorless cameras
Portability: Highly portable
Pros:
Highly portable and lightweight
Accurate tracking for long-exposure shots
Easy setup and use
Cons:
Limited to smaller optical systems
Not suitable for large telescopes
Ideal For: Astrophotographers who travel frequently and require a lightweight, portable mount for wide-field imaging.
Overview: The Explore Scientific ED80 is a high-quality refractor known for its excellent optics and affordability.
Aperture: 80mm
Focal Length: 480mm (f/6)
Mount Type: Requires an equatorial mount
Camera Compatibility: Easy attachment with various cameras
Portability: Highly portable
Pros:
High-quality optics with good color correction
Lightweight and portable
Affordable
Cons:
Smaller aperture limits deep-sky capabilities
Requires a separate mount for tracking
Ideal For: Beginners and intermediate astrophotographers who prioritize portability and quality optics at an affordable price.
Overview: The ZWO ASIair Plus is a smart controller that enhances astrophotography setups with automated control and imaging capabilities.
Aperture: Dependent on the attached optical system
Focal Length: Dependent on the attached optical system
Mount Type: Compatible with multiple mounts
Camera Compatibility: Ideal for ZWO and other astrophotography cameras
Portability: Highly portable
Pros:
Simplifies astrophotography with smart automation
Portable and lightweight
Wide compatibility with various equipment
Cons:
Requires some technical knowledge
Best used with specific cameras and mounts
Ideal For: Tech-savvy astrophotographers looking to automate and enhance their imaging process with a portable and versatile solution.
Choosing the right telescope for astrophotography depends on your specific needs, budget, and level of experience. From the versatile Celestron NexStar 8SE to the ultra-portable William Optics RedCat 51, there's a telescope for every astrophotographer. Consider factors like aperture size, focal length, mount stability, and camera compatibility to make an informed decision and take your astrophotography beyond the backyard to the next level.