Best telescope for viewing planets

Our astronomy advisor, Richard J. Bartlettreviewed a variety of telescopes for viewing planets and galaxies to find the best of the best. After looking at the pros and cons of each option, he chose the Orion SkyQuest XT6 as the best overall telescope for viewing these celestial objects.

Looking for a telescope that will give you amazing views of the planets? We've put together a list of some of the best on the market. Generally speaking, telescopes for seeing planets requires a telescope with a long focal length, so you can fit your target in a smaller field of view and get a detailed close-up. A longer focal length in a telescope usually means a higher focal ratio, which can be worked out by dividing the focal length by the aperture in mm. Put simply, look for a high focal ratio if you want to see the planets of the Solar System.

Best telescope for viewing planets

It takes crisp, attractive images thanks to its mm aperture, and with an optical tube length of Enthusiasts like this telescope for its bright, well contrasted images and for its reasonable price given its abilities. The Celestron NexStar 8SE is a beast of a telescope that will take stunning views of not only objects within the solar system like the moon and planets, but also more distant objects like galaxies and star clusters. The big advantage this telescope has for newer astronomers, and perhaps for the more experienced crowd as well, is its computerized features. It works with a huge catalogue of over 40, celestial objects, so you can punch in the object you want to observe and the telescope can locate and track it for you. It uses a technology called SkyAlign which requires three bright objects to be in view, from which it can align itself and find the objects you want to observe. It has a controller right on the telescope as well, rather than a smartphone app, which might be preferable for those who want an easy to use interface. With the world of astronomy, most home enthusiasts start off with telescopes that are suitable for viewing the moon and some of the brighter planets in the solar system. But if you want to see the dimmer, more distant planets — or particularly if you want to look beyond the solar system and out into deep space — then you need a different kind of tool. Telescopes suited for deep space observations have to be considerably more powerful, and therefore typically more expensive, than the kinds of telescopes used for observing the moon or Mars.

For those seeking a fully hands-free experience, Celestron provides a separate dual-axis auto-tracking upgrade kit that can best telescope for viewing planets installed at any time. It can be a little tricky on the initial setup, and it's not the best quality scope we've reviewed, but it'll do the job.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy a product through the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Are you ready to explore the distant galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters that speckle the cosmos, all from the comfort of your home? Look no further. When making the leap into deep-space observing, choosing the right telescope is key. Here are a few of the most important factors to consider:. Related: The best telescopes for beginners The best splurge-worthy telescopes.

You are in the right place. The best telescope for viewing planets and galaxies comes with at least a mm aperture astronomical sweet spot and a 1,mm focal length preferably higher if your aperture is higher too. The telescope has an aperture of mm and a focal length of mm, providing a more wide-angle field of view. For instance, the bearings for the base are made from cheaper materials, which can sometimes make adjustments harder than usual. It comes with a 2-inch Crayford focuser, a 25mm eyepiece, an EZ Finder reflex sight, a collimation cap, and access to astronomy software, Starry Night. The NexStar Evolution 8 is the perfect choice for advanced users with a larger budget. The telescope has a mm 8 inch aperture, which offers an incredible and crystal-clear observation experience of planets and deep-sky objects. The mount is computerized, so tracking and locating objects is exceptionally straightforward.

Best telescope for viewing planets

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Choosing the right telescope to see planets involves understanding several key factors that impact performance and usability. The Celestron NexStar 6SE is a high-quality computerized telescope perfect for amateur and professional astronomers. This telescope features a 6-inch aperture, allowing bright and clear images of planets and other celestial objects. Remember, we said that a good telescope for planetary viewing should have a longer focal length of at least mm or higher. The Celestron NexStar 6SE has a high-quality Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design with a focal length of mm, which equips it to provide striking views at an economical price.

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They're easy to find and inspiring to take in — real worlds that our descendants or even we may visit one day. Telescope FAQs Unistellar Equinox 2. The legs need to be steady with little flexure, and any vibrations should quickly dampen down otherwise they could spoil the view. Best smart telescope If you've got the budget for it, this is Unistellar's most advanced telescope to date. Reflectors have a main mirror to gather and focus light, whereas refractors have an objective lens. However, we did find it more challenging to see Jupiter's atmospheric bands without using any planetary filters. It can be difficult to wade your way through the jargon of practical astronomy and work out which is best suited to your observing needs. Supplied eyepieces: 4mm, 20mm. This scope comes with a finderscope, diagonal, eyepiece and mount that boasts slow-motion controls.

Best overall 3. Best for planetary imaging 4.

You'll want to adjust the telescope using the instructions on your screen until a bullseye appears to let you know your target is centered in your field of view. The drawback of a refractor is that it can suffer from chromatic aberration, also known as color fringing. Performance Initial setup can be tricky, but after that it's a breeze. Weight: 61 lbs For our review, we received the standard Horizon ED Doublet package, which includes a carry case along with the telescope, tube rings and bar. This functionality is fantastic, especially for users who may not be well-acquainted with the night sky or constellations. Additionally, the telescope offers a wide field of view, making it convenient for viewing star clusters and nebulas without the need for frequent repositioning when switching between different targets. The included red dot finder isn't the best, but the motorized Virtuoso mount makes it easy to point the telescope at objects in the sky. A premium Newtonian on a German equatorial mount can be as much as ten times more expensive than one on a manual mount! Videos City Metro Cities mumbai delhi bengaluru Hyderabad kolkata chennai. Let us know by emailing contactus skyatnightmagazine. Read our full Celestron StarSense Explorer review. Super Plossl eyepiece is inferior to a Barlow. Great for lunar and planetary observing, but some views are fuzzy.