{"id":74266,"date":"2021-10-13T10:00:44","date_gmt":"2021-10-13T14:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=74266"},"modified":"2022-11-01T14:46:01","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T18:46:01","slug":"best-telescopes-for-viewing-planets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/best-telescopes-for-viewing-planets\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Telescopes for Viewing Planets"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to exploring the night sky through a telescope<\/a>, few things are more rewarding than viewing planets. Because they\u2019re located right in our own solar system, planets are much closer than most other celestial objects. Therefore, it’s possible, even for beginners, to view them in great detail.\u00a0Thanks to exciting technology and reasonable affordability, amateur astronomy and planetary viewing have never been more accessible. If you\u2019re interested in viewing planets, here are the best telescopes for viewing planets on the market.<\/p>\n

What to Look for When Buying a Telescope to View Planets<\/h2>\n

There are quite a few types of telescopes available, and it\u2019s important to select one with all the features you need for your preferred type of viewing.<\/p>\n

For example, many sky watchers find refractors to be the best type of telescope for viewing planets, while stargazers who prefer to view deep sky nebulae often choose reflector telescopes.<\/p>\n

No matter which type of telescope you choose, make sure it fulfills a few key requirements to ensure the best planetary viewing. You\u2019ll need to pay close attention to aperture size, focal length, and mount type to find the ideal telescope for planet gazing.<\/p>\n

Aperture Size<\/h3>\n

Aperture size is an important factor when you\u2019re choosing a telescope. The larger the aperture, the more light enters, so you can see distant and dim planetary objects more clearly.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re shopping for a refracting telescope, the aperture measurement will indicate the diameter of the objective lens. Ideally, your telescope should have a minimum aperture of 90mm for improved visibility and clarity.<\/p>\n

A larger aperture maps to much better resolution so you can visually distinguish between a planet and objects near it like its moons or rings.<\/p>\n

Remember that aperture size is only one part of the equation. Focal ratio is the next important factor.<\/p>\n

Focal Ratio<\/h3>\n

Focal ratio relates to the size of your field of view and the level of magnification. To find the focal ratio of a telescope, you need to divide the focal length by the objective diameter.<\/p>\n

If viewing planets is your primary goal, it helps to have a focal ratio of f\/10 or greater. Stargazers searching for nebulae need a smaller focal ratio of f\/7 or less because they need a wider field of view.<\/p>\n

The focal length of a telescope determines the magnification of the planetary objects and their features. If you want to see craters on the Earth\u2019s moon in great detail, for instance, you\u2019ll need a 2000mm or greater focal length.<\/p>\n

Telescope Mount<\/h3>\n

You can spend plenty of money on a high-end telescope, but unless you choose the right telescope mount, you won\u2019t be happy with your viewing sessions. Do you want to reduce vibration, move smoothly between viewpoints, and maintain a firm lock on celestial objects? Then you\u2019ll need an ultra-sturdy, high-quality mount.<\/p>\n

There are two main options you\u2019ll encounter when shopping for a telescope mount: equatorial mounts and altazimuth mounts. Altazimuth mounts offer two directions of movement (altitude and azimuth) while equatorial mounts take the rotation of the earth into consideration so planets don\u2019t drift out of your field of view.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re interested in astrophotography, it\u2019s best to use an equatorial mount.<\/p>\n

Best Telescopes for Viewing Planets<\/h2>\n

1. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Refractor Telescope<\/h3>\n
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The Starsense Explorer DX<\/a> is the perfect beginner telescope for planetary viewing.<\/p>\n

The easy-to-use smartphone adapter dock and integrated app helps this high-quality telescope function like more complex computerized models at a significantly lower price. The app will guide you through a list of currently visible celestial objects so you can start stargazing and viewing planets like Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus right away.<\/p>\n

Thanks to a four-inch aperture size and a long focal length of 660mm, you can explore plenty of exciting celestial objects like star clusters and nebulae, even in urban locations with light pollution.<\/p>\n

Key Specs<\/h4>\n