Stargazing on a Budget: Best Telescopes Under $200
Moon from a Telescope
Have you ever dreamt of gazing up at the night sky and unraveling its mysteries? But the cost of a telescope, a key tool for exploring the cosmos, might seem like a barrier. Fear not, aspiring stargazers! Breathtaking celestial wonders await, even for those on a tight budget. Here's your guide to stargazing on a budget, packed with tips for choosing the best telescope under $200.
What to Consider When Choosing a Telescope Under $200
Aperture: The aperture, or diameter, of a telescope's objective lens is crucial. It dictates the amount of light the telescope gathers, which translates to the brightness and clarity of celestial objects. Generally, a larger aperture means better views, but it also translates to a bulkier and pricier telescope. In the sub-$200 range, telescopes typically have apertures between 50mm and 127mm.
Type of Telescope: There are two main types of telescopes for beginners: refractors and reflectors. Refractors use lenses to gather light, offering good image quality but typically have smaller apertures for the price. Reflectors use mirrors, which can provide larger apertures at a lower cost, but may suffer from slight image imperfections.
Mount: The telescope's mount is the platform that holds it steady and allows you to point it towards celestial objects. For beginners, a simple alt-azimuth mount (up/down and left/right adjustments) is sufficient. Equatorial mounts, which allow for finer adjustments to track the night sky's movement, are generally more expensive.
Top 10 Telescopes Under $200
Here are some of the best telescopes under $200 to get you started on your astronomical journey:
Celestron PowerSeeker 114EQ Telescope: This reflector telescope boasts a 114mm aperture and an equatorial mount, offering decent light-gathering capability and easy tracking. It's a good option for beginners looking to explore the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects.
National Geographic 70mm Refractor Telescope with Astronomy App: This user-friendly refractor telescope features a 70mm aperture and comes with a handy smartphone app to help you identify celestial objects. It's a perfect choice for stargazing novices who want a grab-and-go telescope with helpful digital guidance.
Discovery 50mm Telescope: This compact and affordable refractor telescope is ideal for young astronomers. With a 50mm aperture and a user-friendly alt-azimuth mount, it's a great way to explore the Moon, planets, and brighter stars.
Thames & Kosmos Telescope: This refractor telescope offers a 40mm aperture and a variety of features, including a finderscope, compass, and downloadable astronomy software. It's a good option for curious beginners who want a telescope with some extra bells and whistles.
Bresser Polaris 70/900 AZ Telescope: This refractor telescope features a 70mm aperture and an alt-azimuth mount. It's a versatile option for beginners looking to observe both celestial and terrestrial objects.
ASTRONOMY SkyMaster 10x50 Binoculars: While technically not a telescope, good binoculars can be an excellent budget-friendly option for stargazing. These 10x50 binoculars offer wide views and good light gathering for observing constellations, star clusters, and the Moon.
Levenhuk Astro 70 MAK Telescope: This Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope (a hybrid design) offers a 70mm aperture and a compact, portable design. It's a good choice for those with limited space who want decent views of the Moon and planets.
Orion Observer 80mm ST Telescope: This refractor telescope features an 80mm aperture and a sturdy equatorial mount. It provides good value for the price and offers decent views of celestial objects.
Bushnell North Star 70mm Refractor Telescope: This user-friendly refractor telescope features a 70mm aperture and an alt-azimuth mount. It's a good choice for beginners who prioritize ease of use and portability.
SVBONY SV402 Refractor Telescope: This lightweight refractor telescope has a 40mm aperture and a portable design. It's a great option for casual stargazing and observing the Moon for young astronomers or those on a tight budget.
Bonus Picks:
Meade Instruments Infinity 70 AZ Telescope: This refractor telescope features a 70mm aperture and an alt-azimuth mount.