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TELESCOPES
If you’ve ever wanted to study objects from a distance, you need a telescope. Like most technical gear, telescopes run the gamut from simple and affordable to complex and full-featured. Before you buy, think about how you’ll use yours and the add-ons you may need.
What type of telescope do you need?
A daytime telescope for spotting game or birds is often smaller and lighter than its astronomical cousins. By contrast, astronomical telescopes have large apertures to gather all available light, which adds size and weight. Either type works well for photography, though the long exposures required to capture stars and planets often means additional gear, like an equatorial mount to track objects across the sky.
Reflector, refractor, or compound?
Reflector telescopes gather light in a large mirror, letting them pack more power into a shorter profile. Refractors use lenses alone to grab crisp images with little tinkering. Compound telescopes combine the two strategies for a versatile and portable experience.
Size
Telescopes cover a wide range of size and weight, so consider where you’ll store your telescope and where you’ll use it. If storage space is at a premium, or if you aren’t prepared to lug a heavy apparatus with you, consider the cost-benefit of extra weight and size against higher magnification and resolution. If you mostly view for pleasure, a smaller scope may be the right pick for you.
Focal length
Telescopes have focal lengths, similar to cameras.Telescopes with longer focal lengths cover a smaller section of the sky. Shorter telescopes have wider focal lengths that allow for a wider field of view, which is great for viewing deep sky objects. Whatever telescope you choose, Adorama covers every option, class, and price point, from top brands like Celestron, Baader Planetarium, Explore Scientific, iOptron, Meade, Sky-Watcher, and more.