Astrophotography is one of the most exciting and fascinating forms of photography. It enables photographers to capture beautiful images of galaxies, star clusters, nebula, and other celestial objects. To get the best results, it is important to use the right telescope for astrophotography. With so many different types of telescopes available today, it can be difficult to know which one is best for astrophotography. This article will provide an overview of some of the best telescopes for astrophotography so you can make an informed decision when selecting a telescope for your astrophotography needs.
Best Telescopes For Astrophotography
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Celestron NexStar 130SLT
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Sky-Watcher ProED 120mm
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Explore Scientific 102mm Classic White
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Orion 10-Inch Newtonian
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Orion 9534 ED80T CF Triplet
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Celestron Esprit 80MM ED APO Refractor
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Meade Series 6000 80mm ED Triplet
|
7 .7
|
1. Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ
I recently purchased the Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ telescope, and I’m very pleased with my purchase. It is a great entry-level telescope that is perfect for a beginner who wants to explore the night sky. The setup is really easy and the included manual provides step-by-step instructions. I love the 127mm aperture which allows for clear and bright images of planets, galaxies, and other celestial bodies. The slow-motion controls make tracking objects an absolute breeze. The mount is also very sturdy and doesn’t wobble even when I’m making fine adjustments. All in all, the Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is an excellent choice for any amateur astronomer or astrophotographer looking for an affordable, yet powerful telescope.
- 127mm (5″) Newtonian Reflector Telescope
- Focal Length: 1000mm
- Focal Ratio: f/7.87
- German Equatorial Mount with Setting Circles and Slow Motion Controls
- 2 Eyepieces included, 25mm (40x) and 9mm (111x) for a wide variety of viewing options
- Lens diameter: 127mm (5″)
- Fully coated glass optical components for enhanced image brightness and clarity
- 3x Barlow Lens included for added power
- Adjustable tripod for perfect viewing angle
- Quick-release dovetail attachment for easy setup & breakdown
2. Celestron NexStar 130SLT
I recently purchased the Celestron NexStar 130SLT telescope and I am so pleased with it. The 130SLT is a great telescope for novice astronomers, and it opens up a whole new world of star gazing. I love the fact that it comes with a computerized hand control that allows you to easily locate and track celestial objects. The optics are great, and the 130SLT has a high quality optical system, which gives great views of the night sky. The 130SLT is also very easy to set up, which is great for beginners! I also love the fact that it comes with a SkyAlign technology, which makes it easy to align the telescope for astronomical viewing. The Celestron NexStar 130SLT telescope is an excellent choice for a beginner telescope and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to get started in the hobby of astronomy.
- 5″ Newtonian Reflector optical design
- Computerized hand control with a database of over 4,000 celestial objects
- SkyAlign technology for quick and easy alignment
- Motorized Altazimuth mount
- Fully adjustable stainless steel tripod
- Finder scope
- 25mm eyepiece (1.25″)
- StarPointer finderscope
3. Sky-Watcher ProED 120mm
I recently purchased the Sky-Watcher ProED 120mm telescope, and I must say that I am highly impressed with its performance. The telescope is very easy to set up and use and the images it produces are crystal clear. The telescope has a large objective lens, which allows for a wide field of view, and the image is free of chromatic aberration. In addition, the telescope’s focuser is smooth and precise, allowing for accurate focusing. I also appreciate the quality of the lens, which produces images with minimal distortion and minimal loss of sharpness. Overall, I am very pleased with the Sky-Watcher ProED 120mm telescope, and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting a quality telescope for astronomical viewing.
format
- Aperture: 120mm
- Focal Length: 600mm
- F/5 Dual-Speed Rack & Pinion Focuser
- 2″ and 1.25″ Compression Ring Accessories Included
- 2″ Dielectric Diagonal
- Crayford Style 10:1 Dual-Speed Focuser
- 2″ 9×50 Straight-Through Finderscope
- Heavy-Duty Adjustable Tripod with Accessory Tray
- Tube Rings with Handle
4. Explore Scientific 102mm Classic White
I’m really impressed with the Explore Scientific 102mm Classic White telescope. It’s a great beginner’s telescope – it’s easy to use and set up, and you can quickly get started exploring the night sky. The optics are great, and the quality of the images you can get with this telescope is surprisingly good. I’ve used this telescope to view planets, stars, and even some deep sky objects. It performs very well in low light conditions, and the images you get are clear and bright. I’m glad I made the purchase, and I highly recommend the Explore Scientific 102mm Classic White telescope for anyone looking for an affordable, quality telescope for their first steps into the wonderful world of astronomy.
- 102mm aperture
- Fully multi-coated optics
- Durable white finish
- 900mm focal length
- 2″ Crayford-style dual speed focuser
- 2″ and 1.25″ eyepiece adapter
- Includes 2″ and 1.25″ eyepieces
- Comes with aluminum carry case
- Ideal for observing the Moon, planets, and bright nebulae
5. Orion 10-Inch Newtonian
I recently bought the Orion 10-Inch Newtonian telescope, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. The optics on this telescope are excellent, providing sharp, clear views of the stars and planets. It was easy to assemble, and the instructions were straightforward. The telescope is surprisingly lightweight considering its size and comes with a sturdy tripod for extra stability. I’ve had a lot of fun exploring the night sky and taking pictures of the moon and planets. The Orion 10-Inch Newtonian is an excellent telescope for beginners who want to explore the wonders of the night sky. Highly recommended!
- 10-inch parabolic primary mirror with a focal length of 1000mm (f/5)
- EZ Finder II reflex sight for accurate aiming
- 25 mm and 10 mm Sirius Plossl 1.25″ eyepieces included
- Collimation cap and center-marked primary mirror for easy mirror alignment
- Intelligent design for convenient and quick no-tool setup
6. Orion 9534 ED80T CF Triplet
I recently purchased the Orion 9534 ED80T CF Triplet, and I am absolutely delighted with it! The telescope is a great starter scope for anyone interested in astronomy, and I have been able to see a lot of detail in the objects I have observed so far. The optics are impressive, and the triplet design results in almost no chromatic aberration. The focuser is smooth, and the rotation is very easy to adjust. The included finder scope is accurate and easy to use. Overall, this telescope is an outstanding value for the price and I highly recommend it to any amateur astronomers looking to get started!
- Aperture: 80mm
- Focal Length: 600mm
- Focal Ratio: f/7.5
- Optical Design: ED Apochromatic triplet apo
- Coatings: Fully Multi-Coated
- Objective Lens Type: Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass
- Focuser: 2-inch Crayford-style, dual-speed with 1:10 ratio
- Tube: Aluminum with adjustable dew shield
- Compatible Eyepieces: Standard 2-inch eyepieces
- Mount Compatibility: Compatible with any mount capable of supporting a telescope of this size and weight
7. Celestron Esprit 80MM ED APO Refractor
I recently purchased the Celestron Esprit 80MM ED APO Refractor, and I’m so glad I did! This telescope is high-quality and has superb optics and image clarity. The ED glass delivers excellent color correction and sharpness, allowing me to see even faint objects with ease. The build quality is also excellent; the telescope feels solidly constructed and is well-designed, with a smooth focus and easy-to-use knobs. The telescope also comes with a 2″ diagonal and a 27mm eyepiece, giving me a wider range of possibilities. Overall, I’m very pleased with the Celestron Esprit 80MM ED APO Refractor and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality telescope that won’t break the bank.
- Aperture: 80mm
- Focal Length: 480mm
- Focal Ratio: f6
- Optical Design: ED Apochromatic Refractor
- Premium StarBright XLT Coatings
- Dual-Speed 2.5″ Crayford-Style Focuser
- Integrated Carry Handle
- Vixen-Style Dovetail Mounting Plate
8. Meade Series 6000 80mm ED Triplet
I recently purchased the Meade Series 6000 80mm ED Triplet, and I am so glad I did! This telescope is a great value for its price – it has a large 80mm aperture, fully multi-coated optics and excellent glass quality. The design also features internal refraction, which means that it performs better in low light conditions compared to other models. In addition, the telescope is lightweight and easy to set up – I was able to get it up and running quickly and without any problems. The views through this telescope are amazing, and I can easily spot faint galaxies and nebulae with great detail. I highly recommend this telescope for anyone looking for a great value and great performance.
- Aperture: 80mm
- Focal Length: 480mm
- Focal Ratio: f/6
- Optical Design: ED Triplet Apochromatic Refractor
- Coatings: Fully Multi-Coated
- Diagonal: 2″ 90° Star Diagonal
- Mount: Vixen-Style Dovetail
- Length: 30.5″
