Ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what secrets those twinkling stars hold? You’re not alone! A telescope can bring those distant wonders closer, revealing the craters of the moon, the rings of Saturn, or even the faint glow of faraway galaxies. But with so many options, how do you choose? We’ve sifted through Amazon’s offerings to find the top 5 telescopes that balance quality, ease of use, and affordability, all starting at $50.
Why These Telescopes?
We’ve focused on telescopes that are:
- Beginner-Friendly: Easy to set up and use, no astronomy degree required!
- Decent Quality: Clear views of celestial objects, offering a satisfying stargazing experience.
- Reasonably Priced: Accessible for enthusiasts without breaking the bank.
- Available on Amazon: Easy to purchase and with reliable shipping.
Let’s Dive In!
1. Celestron Travel Scope 70 ($100-$130 range)
- This portable telescope is perfect for beginners and travelers. It’s lightweight, easy to assemble, and comes with a backpack for convenient transportation.
- What you’ll see: Moon craters, some planets, and brighter deep-sky objects.
- Pros: Highly portable, easy setup, good value.
- Cons: Smaller aperture limits deep-sky viewing, can be a little shaky.
- Amazon Link: Celestron Travel Scope 70
2. Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope ($110-$140 range)
- This telescope offers a good balance of performance and ease of use. It’s a refractor telescope with an altazimuth mount, making it easy to point and track celestial objects. This is a very popular telescope that is very readily available.
- What you’ll see: Moon craters, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects.
- Pros: Easy setup, good optics, reliable brand.
- Cons: Tripod can be a bit shaky, similar aperture limitations to other 70mm models.
- Amazon Link: Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope
3. Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P Flextube Dobsonian Telescope ($250-$300 range)
- This is a Dobsonian style telescope. It is a very good telescope for the price, and provides very good views of the night sky. It is a reflector telescope, which means it uses mirrors to gather light, providing bright and clear images. It is also a “flextube” design, meaning it collapses for easier storage and transport.
- What you’ll see: Moon craters, planets (including details on Jupiter and Saturn), star clusters, nebulae, and even some galaxies.
- Pros: Large aperture for excellent light gathering, simple Dobsonian mount, collapsible design for portability, great value for the price.
- Cons: Larger and heavier than other models, requires some assembly, Dobsonian mounts are not ideal for astrophotography.
- Amazon Link: Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P Flextube Dobsonian Telescope
4. Gskyer 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope ($70-$90 range)
- This is a very good entry level telescope. It provides good views of the moon and planets, and is very easy to use.
- What you’ll see: Moon, planets, and some brighter deep sky objects.
- Pros: Very easy to use, and a very good price point.
- Cons: The tripod can be a little shakey, and the included accessories are basic.
- Amazon Link: Gskyer 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope
5. Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope ($110-$140 range)
- This telescope offers a good balance of performance and ease of use. It’s a refractor telescope with an altazimuth mount, making it easy to point and track celestial objects.
- What you’ll see: Moon craters, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects.
- Pros: Easy setup, good optics, reliable brand.
- Cons: Tripod can be a bit shaky, similar aperture limitations to other 70mm models.
- Amazon Link: Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope
Tips for Beginners:
- Start with the moon! It’s the brightest and easiest object to observe.
- Find a dark location away from city lights for the best viewing experience.
- Be patient! It takes time to learn how to navigate the night sky.
- Download a stargazing app! This will help you find objects in the sky.
Happy stargazing!