Romeo F. Atis Jr.

10 Best Telescopes for Kids, Experts, and Adventurers If you are interested in astronomy, there is one purchase you will want to look into: a telescope. This incredible device allows its owner to see distant objects too small or faint for the naked eye. Telescopes can be used to look at everything from faraway galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters to local birds feeding on a nearby tree. There are many different telescopes on the market, and it can be tricky to decide which one is right for you. Here are 10 of the best telescopes for kids, experts, and adventurers alike! 1. Celestron 21024 FirstScope Telescope The Celestron FirstScope Telescope is an excellent option for kids who are just getting started in astronomy. It is small, lightweight, and easy to use, making it the perfect introductory telescope. Specifications Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector Aperture: 76mm (2.99") Focal Length: 300mm (12") Focal Ratio: f/3.95 Magnification: 15x, 75x Limiting Magnitude: 11.9 11.9 Lowest Useful Magnification: 11x Highest Useful Magnification: 180x Assembled Weight: 3.6 lbs (1.63 kg) Pros A larger aperture increases the potential for high-resolution images Lightweight and portable Good value for a starter telescope Sturdy aluminum tripod legs with plastic center hub Simple to use, perfect for kids Cons •Low magnification means it will be difficult to view objects in detail •Short focal length limits what you can see when viewing objects at a distance What You Can See  Surprisingly, the FirstScope's optical capabilities are outstripped by the user's ability to aim the device. Anything other than the Moon, planets, or any other observable target with the naked eye will be a bit of a challenge to track down. Rating 7.3 Amazon Product Link https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21024-FirstScope-Telescope/dp/B001UQ6E4Y?th=1 2. Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope The Orion StarBlast II 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope is an excellent option for upgrading from a beginner telescope. It has a larger aperture than the FirstScope, which allows for improved resolution and brighter images. Specifications Optical Design: Equatorial Reflector Aperture: 114mm (4.49") Focal Length: 900mm (35.43") Focal Ratio: f/5.71 Magnification: 30x, 75x Limiting Magnitude: 11.2 Lowest Useful Magnification: 26x Highest Useful Magnification: 260x Assembled Weight: 20.8 lbs (9.44 kg) Pros Larger aperture than the FirstScope for improved resolution and brighter images Good value for an intermediate telescope Easily assembled Cons Heavier and less portable than the FirstScope Telescope No finderscope for locating objects What You Can See The StarBlast quickly reveals large star clusters and nebulae. A decent UHC or OIII filter will show the Veil Nebula. Muddled suburban sky does Orion, Lagoon, and Swan justice. Rating 7.6 Amazon Product Link https://www.amazon.com/Orion-StarBlast-Equatorial-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B06XSM4R74/ref=sr_1_4? 3. Celestron - 70mm Travel Scope DX The Celestron - 70mm Travel Scope DX is a small and lightweight telescope perfect for taking with you on camping trips or hikes. It has a simple design that makes it easy to use, and it can be mounted on a tripod or used handheld. Specifications Optical Design: Refractor Aperture: 70mm (2.76") Focal Length: 400mm (15.75") Focal Ratio: f/5.6 Magnification: 20x, 50x Limiting Magnitude: 10.8 Lowest Useful Magnification: 8x Highest Useful Magnification: 100x Assembled Weight: 2.2 lbs (1 kg) Pros Lightweight and portable Easy to use It can be mounted on a tripod or used handheld Cons A small aperture means minor detail will be visible compared to larger telescopes. What You Can See Some of the brightest deep-sky objects are unmistakable – if you can keep pointing at them and don't break your neck trying to observe them with the erecting prism diagonal. Rating 8.1 Amazon Product Link https://us.amazon.com/Celestron-Refractor-Fully-Coated-Digiscoping-Smartphone/dp/B07VY3CDG7/ref=sr_1_1?th=1 4. Celestron - NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope The Celestron - NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope is a good option for those looking for an advanced telescope. It is easy to use and has various features that allow you to explore the night sky in detail. Specifications Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector Aperture: 130mm (5.12”) Focal Length: 650mm (26”) Focal Ratio: f/5 Magnification: 26x, 72x Limiting Magnitude: 13.1 Low Useful Magnification: 19x High Theoretical Magnification: 307x Assembled Weight: 18 lbs (8.16 kg) Pros An advanced telescope with a large aperture Easy to use Alignment scope and SkyAlign technology for quick setup It has a variety of extra features that add value Cons Heavier than some beginner telescopes What You Can See To see intricacies like Jupiter's bands or the surface features of Mars, this scope's only constraint is the amount of magnification it can provide. Rating 8.3 Amazon Product Link https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-NexStar-130SLT-Computerized-Telescope/dp/B0007UQNNQ/ref=sr_1_3? 5. Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope The Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope is a good option for those looking for an entry-level telescope. It is easy to use and has a large aperture to see more detail in the night sky. Specifications Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector Aperture: 114 mm (4.48”) Focal Length: 1000 mm (39.37”) Focal Ratio: f/8.7 Magnification: 50x, 100x Limiting Magnitude: 12.8 Lowest Magnification: 16x Highest Magnification: 269x Total Weight: 17 lbs Pros A large aperture that allows more detail to be seen Easy to use Cons Heavier than some beginner telescopes What You Can See Ones larger or farther away will appear better than objects smaller or closer. You can still stare at the moon, Jupiter, and other local favorites, although focusing on those objects will be more challenging. Rating 8.5 Amazon Product Link https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-31045-AstroMaster-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B000MLL6RS/ref=sr_1_3? 6. Gskyer Telescope AZ70400 The Gskyer Telescope AZ70400 is a good option for a budget telescope. It is easy to use and has a large aperture to see more detail in the night sky. Specifications Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector Aperture: 70 mm (2.76”) Focal Length: 400 mm (15.75”) Focal Ratio: f/5.6 Magnification: 25x, 50x Limiting Magnitude: 12.8 Lowest Magnification: 9x Highest Magnification: 371x Assembled Weight: 3.3 lbs Pros A large aperture that allows more detail to be seen Easy to use Cons Smaller than some other telescopes on this list What You Can See The Gskyer Telescope has earned a place among other high-end telescopes in the world of astronomy. It is used by both amateur and professional astronomers to observe objects in deep space. It's simple to see the moon, star clusters in the sky above you, galaxies in the galaxy, and Saturn's rings through a telescope. Rating 8.6 Amazon Product Link https://www.amazon.com/Gskyer-Telescope-AZ-Astronomical-Refracting/dp/B081RJ8DW1/ref=sr_1_9_sspa 7. HEXEUM Telescope 70500 The HEXEUM Telescope 70500 is a good option for a budget telescope. The telescope provides excellent vision about the sky, and it has a different focus lens you can use to let you see the best image. Specifications Brand: HEXEUM Model Name: Telescope 70500 Optical Tube Length:500 Millimeters Eye Piece Lens Description: Barlow Objective Lens Diameter: 70 Millimeters Telescope Mount Description: Altazimuth Mount Item Weight: 5.39 Pounds Focal Length Description: 500 millimeters Magnification: 3x, 9x, 27x, 81x Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 11.5 Pros A large aperture that allows more detail to be seen Different focus lens lets you see the best vision Cons Some users have complained about quality control issues What You Can See The 70500 can show you thousands of double stars and open star clusters outside our solar system. You'll be able to see globular clusters as hazy smudges, a dozen or so brilliant galaxies, and maybe even dust lanes in M82 or M31. But this requires a gloomy sky. The 70500 can also display bright nebulae like Orion, the Lagoon, the Dumbbell, and the Ring, even in a light-polluted sky. Rating 8.8 Amazon Product Link https://www.amazon.com/Telescope-70mm-Aperture-500mm-Astronomical/dp/B09836V1BD/ref=sr_1_5? 8. Celestron - AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope The Celestron - AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope will not disappoint you whether you are a beginner or just someone who wants something to use for a casual look at the night sky now and then. Specifications Aperture: 70mm (2.76”) Focal Length: 900mm (35”) Focal Ratio: f/13 Magnification: 45x, 90x Limiting Magnitude: 11.7 Low Useful Magnification: 10x High Theoretical Magnification: 165x Assembled Weight: 11.0 lbs (5.0 kg) Pros A large aperture that allows more detail to be seen Lightweight and easy to use, even for kids Includes a helpful accessory kit Cons Some users have complained about assembly issues during set up What You Can See The AstroMaster 70AZ will show you Mercury and Venus phases, Jupiter's cloud belts, moons, and potentially the Great Red Spot, Saturn's rings, and the Cassini division in them, as well as Titan and possibly other moons like Rhea and Dione. Uranus and Neptune are tiny bluish specks that are difficult to distinguish from stars. Rating 9.0 Amazon Product Link https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21061-AstroMaster-Refractor-Telescope/dp/B000MLHMAS/ref=sr_1_3? 9. Celestron - NexStar 5SE Telescope The Celestron NexStar 5SE Computerized Telescope offers Celestron’s trademark orange tube style, as well as updated technology and the latest features, allowing both novices and experienced observers to enjoy spectacular stargazing. Specifications Optical Design: Schmidt-Cassegrain Aperture: 125 mm (4.92”) Focal Length: 1250 mm (49”) Focal Ratio: f/10 Magnification: 50x Limiting Magnitude: 13 Low Useful Magnification: 18x High Theoretical Magnification: 295x Assembled Weight: 27.6 lbs Pros A large aperture that allows more detail to be seen Computerized telescope for easy navigation NexStar technology provides updates and features as they become available Cons Some users have complained about quality control issues What You Can See It will show you small lunar craters and mountains, Venus and Mercury phases, Jupiter and Saturn cloud belts, the Great Red Spot on Jupiter, the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings, and Uranus and Neptune as bluish star-like specks. Under bright, stable skies, the 5SE will easily divide double stars as near an arc second apart. Rating 9.3 Amazon Product Link https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-NexStar-5-SE-Telescope/dp/B000GUHOYE/ref=sr_1_12? 10. Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope The Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope is a fantastic little grab-and-go telescope ideal for astronomy enthusiasts at the beginning and intermediate levels. Specifications Brand: Orion Optical Tube Length: 18 Inches Eye Piece Lens Description: Kellner Objective Lens Diameter: 114 Millimeters Telescope Mount Description: Altazimuth Mount Focus Type: Manual Focus Item Weight: 13 Pounds Lens Coating Description: Lens coating Focal Length Description: 450 millimeters Aperture Description: 4.5 Inches Eyepiece Lens Diameter Description: 50 millimeters Pros Lightweight and easy to use, even for kids Ideal for beginning astronomy enthusiasts due to its ease of use Includes a helpful accessory kit Cons Assembling the telescope can be difficult What You Can See Explore the Milky Way in both summer and winter. This telescope loves open clusters. The myriad black nebulae that span the summer Milky Way are excellent StarBlast targets. However, due to the StarBlast's limited aperture, few neighboring galaxies will exhibit any meaningful detail. Orion, the Lagoon, and the Swan are stunning emission nebulae, especially in dark skies or with a UHC filter. Rating 9.6 Amazon Product Link https://www.amazon.com/Orion-10015-StarBlast-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B00D12U1IK/ref=sr_1_3 The Winner Is Orion 10015 Starblast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope 1. A large aperture that allows more detail to be seen 2. Ideal for beginning astronomy enthusiasts due to its ease of use 3. Lightweight and easy to use, even for kids 4. Includes a helpful accessory kit The Orion 10015 StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope is the clear winner of this roundup. It has a large aperture that allows more detail to be seen, is easy to use for both beginners and experienced astronomers, and is lightweight and easy to transport. However, assembling the telescope can be difficult for some users, but the overall experience is worth it!