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How to Choose Your First (or Next) Telescope: A Beginner’s Guide to Stargazing Bliss


If you’ve ever stared up at a clear night sky and felt a magnetic pull toward the stars, you’re not alone. A telescope can bring that distant sparkle in the sky into sharp, stunning focus, but with so many options on the market, choosing the right Telescope can feel like navigating a black hole of information. Whether you're a curious beginner or looking to level up your astronomy game, this guide will help you pick the perfect telescope for your needs. 

* Note: This guide is intended for visual Astronomy Enthusiasts, in other words viewing the night sky through the eyepiece. For specialised Astrophotography using cameras, a very different set of choices and setup is normally used.

So here we go!

Step 1: Know Your Stargazing Goals

Before you dive into the specs, ask yourself what you want to see:

  • Planets (like Jupiter, Saturn, or Mars)?
  • Deep-sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, star clusters)?
  • Or just general moon and star gazing?

Your answer will greatly help determine the type of telescope and accessories that’ll serve you best.

Step 2: Understand the Telescope Types

There are '3 main types' of telescopes and each carries their own unique strengths:

Refractor Telescopes:

  • Use lenses to gather light
  • Great for planets and the moon
  • Very low maintenance
  • Tend to be more expensive per inch of aperture

Refractors are best for: Beginners who want crisp views of the moon and planets, and don’t mind a slightly higher price for ease of use.

Reflector Telescopes:

  • Use mirrors instead of lenses
  • Generally more affordable
  • Great for deep-sky viewing
  • Requires occasional alignment (collimation)

Reflectors are best for: Budget-conscious beginners or intermediate users interested in galaxies and nebulae. Dobson Telescopes in particular top the list in this category for viewing the night sky as they are by far the most affordable per inch of Aperture and are suitable for all levels in Astronomy.

Compound (Catadioptric) Telescopes:

  • Combines lenses and mirrors
  • Compact and versatile
  • Often computerized
  • More expensive

Catadioptric such as SCT's best for: Serious hobbyists who want an all-rounder with advanced features.

Step 3: Aperture Is Everything

The 'Aperture' of the telescope is the diameter of the main lens or mirror - it determines how much light the telescope can collect. More light = better, brighter, more detailed views.

  • Entry-level: 70mm - 100mm (good for viewing the moon and bright planets)
  • Intermediate: 100mm - 150mm (adds star clusters, nebulae, etc.)
  • Advanced: 200mm+ (deep sky heaven)

Rule of thumb: Always choose the largest aperture you can afford and comfortably handle, remember! the best Telescope for you is the one you use the most.

Step 4: Consider the Mount

The mount is just as important as the scope - it keeps everything steady and helps you track objects. 3 Main types of Mount below:

  • Alt-Azimuth (AZ): Simple up-down, left-right movement. Great for beginners.
  • Equatorial (EQ): Designed to follow the rotation of the sky. More complex, better for astrophotography.
  • GoTo/Computerized Mounts: Automatically find objects for you. Magical, but pricier.


Step 5: Don’t Forget the Accessories

Some extras that make a big difference:

  • Eyepieces: Most scopes come with one or two eyepieces eg. a low powered one or medium powered one. Different eyepieces will expand the range of magnifications and field of views that you can see through your telescope.
  • Barlow Lens: Multiplies the magnification of any eyepiece.
  • Finder Scope or Red Dot Finder: Helps you aim the telescope.
  • Star Maps or Apps: Essential for navigating the night sky.

Bonus Tips

  1. Join a local astronomy club or attend a star party. You can try different telescopes before buying.
  2. Avoid telescopes sold in toy stores or with exaggerated magnification claims ("600x power!" - yeah, no thanks).
  3. Portability matters. If your telescope is a beast to set up, you’re far less likely to use it.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a telescope doesn’t have to be rocket science. Start with what excites you, get familiar with the basics, and don’t stress over having the “perfect” gear. The sky isn’t going anywhere. With the right telescope, you’re not just looking at stars - you’re stepping into the universe.

We are also available to offer tailored advice for anyone looking to enter the fascinating and thrilling science of Astronomy so send us a quick email if you need more help or advice to - sales@horizonastronomy.ie 

Happy stargazing!

Download a Printable version of this Article here >

View Refractor Telescopes for Beginners here >
View Reflector Telescopes for Beginners here >
View Catadioptric Telescopes for Beginners here >

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