January 10, 2023

While many large, professional telescopes are best suited for observing planets from professional observatories or research institutions, there are also a variety of telescopes that are well-suited for amateur astronomers who want to observe planets from home. Here are a few examples:

Refracting telescopes: Refracting telescopes, also known as refractors, use lenses to gather and focus light. They are well-suited for observing planets because they produce sharp, high-contrast images and are relatively portable. A good starter telescope for planetary observation would be a refractor with at least a 60 mm aperture and a long focal length.

Reflecting telescopes: Reflecting telescopes, also known as reflectors, use mirrors to gather and focus light. They are well-suited for observing planets because they are relatively inexpensive and can have large apertures. A good starter telescope for planetary observation would be a reflector with at least a 6-inch aperture, or 150 mm.

Compound telescopes: Compound telescopes, also known as catadioptric telescopes, use a combination of lenses and mirrors to gather and focus light. They are well-suited for observing planets because they are compact and portable. A good starter telescope for planetary observation would be a compound telescope with at least a 4-inch aperture or 100mm.

GoTo telescope: A telescope with computerized GoTo mount can make it easy to point the telescope at specific objects, including planets, this could be a great option for those who want to start observing the sky.