Telescopes are amazing devices that allow us to see the wonders of the universe from our own planet. They have a long and fascinating history, dating back to the 17th century, when the first refracting telescopes were invented by Dutch lens makers. These telescopes used lenses to bend and focus light from distant objects, making them appear larger and brighter. One of the most famous users of these early telescopes was Galileo Galilei, who made many discoveries about the moon, planets, and stars with his homemade instruments.
However, refracting telescopes had some limitations, such as chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, and the difficulty of making large and clear lenses. To overcome these problems, reflecting telescopes were developed, which used mirrors instead of lenses to gather and reflect light. Isaac Newton was one of the pioneers of this design, creating the first successful reflector in 1668. Since then, many variations of reflecting telescopes have been invented, such as the Cassegrain, the Ritchey-Chretien, and the Schmidt-Cassegrain.
Telescopes can be used for various purposes, such as observing the moon and planets, hunting for comets and asteroids, studying star clusters and nebulae, exploring galaxies and quasars, and detecting gravitational waves and cosmic microwave background radiation. Telescopes can also be used for astrophotography, which is the art of capturing images of celestial objects with a camera attached to a telescope. Some telescopes can also be controlled by computers or smartphones, making them easier to use and more accurate.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a telescope, such as the aperture, focal length, magnification, mount type, optical quality, portability, accessories, and price. Depending on your level of experience, budget, and interests, you may prefer different types of telescopes. Here are some of the best telescopes available in 2023:
- Celestron NexStar 8SE: This is a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with an 8-inch aperture and a computerized GoTo mount that can automatically locate and track over 40,000 objects in the sky. It is easy to set up and use, and offers stunning views of both solar system and deep-sky objects. It is also compatible with various accessories and cameras for astrophotography.1
- Unistellar eVscope 2: This is a smart telescope that uses enhanced vision technology to amplify light and reveal faint details that are invisible to the naked eye. It has a 4.5-inch aperture and a digital eyepiece that displays live images on a screen. It can also be connected to a smartphone app that allows you to control the telescope, access a database of objects, and share your observations with other users.2
- Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian: This is a Dobsonian telescope with a 6-inch aperture and a simple alt-azimuth mount that can be moved by hand. It is ideal for beginners who want a large and affordable telescope that can show them bright views of the moon, planets, and some deep-sky objects. It is also easy to assemble and transport.3
- Celestron Advanced VX 8 Edge HD: This is an advanced telescope for astrophotographers who want to capture high-quality images of various objects. It has an 8-inch aperture and an Edge HD optical system that delivers sharp and flat images across the entire field of view. It also has an equatorial mount with a motorized tracking system that can compensate for the Earth’s rotation and keep objects in focus.
- Sky-Watcher Skymax 150 PRO: This is a Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with a 6-inch aperture and a long focal length that makes it suitable for observing fine details on the moon and planets. It has a compact design that makes it easy to carry and store. It can also be mounted on various types of tripods or mounts for different purposes.
Other great telescopes that you may want to check out are:
- Celestron Inspire 100AZ: A refracting telescope with a 4-inch aperture and an alt-azimuth mount that is perfect for beginners who want to learn about astronomy.4
- Celestron Astro Fi 102: A refracting telescope with a 4-inch aperture and a WiFi-enabled mount that can be controlled by a smartphone or tablet.5
- Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25: A Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with a 9.25-inch aperture and a computerized GoTo mount that can be powered by a rechargeable battery.6
- Vaonis Vespera: A smart telescope that uses a camera sensor and an app to capture images of celestial objects without an eyepiece.7
- Sky-Watcher Explorer 130 EQ2: A Newtonian reflector telescope with a 5-inch aperture and an equatorial mount that can be used for both visual and photographic observations.8