Still others were interested as children, but then lost the interest, only to have it rekindled in later life, perhaps by seeing a TV documentary, talking to an amateur astronomer, or maybe just one day looking up at the night sky and being bitten with a longing for those long-forgotten childhood pleasures of discovering the universe.

So the next step is, of course, to go out and buy a telescope. Or is it? Here’s a strange piece of advice, think of a pair of binoculars first. Why? Because, quite simply, a good pair of binoculars will allow you to see much of what you can see with a telescope. And a good pair of binoculars can often give a better view (a much better view in many cases) than a cheap telescope.

This is because binoculars have a wide field of view and allow you to navigate the sky very easily. Many great things can be seen with binoculars, including hundreds of thousands of stars, many of the most striking star clusters and most of the planets of the solar system. You can also see much of the detail of the moon, including craters and mountains.

But eventually you will want a telescope. And as with all purchases, the best thing to do is ask an expert which is the best one. And where do you find experts? At your local astronomy club, of course. Ask the members about the pros and cons of the different telescopes. Every telescope has its advantages and disadvantages. With the experience of a pro under your belt you’ll be able to buy the telescope that’s right for your viewing needs.

Buy a telescope from our e-store »

The word astronomy is comprised of two Greek words. The Greek word astro means star shaped or star and pertains to outer space. The word onomy literally means the study of. Therefore, astronomy is the study of the stars.

One of the major tools that assists amateur and professional astronomers in understanding and respecting the galaxy is the astronomy telescope. When looking to purchase a good astronomy telescope there are a number of factors that you can keep in mind. First, of all consider some practical suggestions, remember it is about the diameter of the lens, and make sure your telescope has a solid stand.

Practical Suggestions

Before you purchase your astronomy telescope it is important to conduct your research. One way of conducting this research can be accomplished by accessing the Internet and learning more about telescopes. Some of the questions that you should endeavor to answer surround what features to look for in a telescope, approximate cost, recommended brands, etc.

Another practical suggestion, before you purchase your astronomy telescope, is to “test drive” a telescope. This can be accomplished by joining an astronomy club. Often these clubs will have a stargazing event which will allow you to peer through the telescopes owned by the various members.

Another way of conducting research, prior to purchasing an astronomy telescope, is to ask the members in the club as to what telescope they would recommend. The key is education. Listen for the features they recommend, brand names, the diameter of the lens, price, etc.

Also, you may come across a member of the club who is considering the purchase of a new telescope. If so, you may be able to purchase their used telescope.

Diameter Of The Lens

When considering the purchase of an astronomy telescope it is important to remember what is the key feature surrounding your purchase. That key feature should focus on the diameter of the lens of the telescope and not its advertised magnification.

This is because the diameter of the lens equates to the amount of light that can be received by the telescope. Therefore, the larger the diameter of the lens the more light that is captured. This in turn allows for the image that you are viewing to become more visible.

Solid Base

Another very important feature when considering the purchase of your astronomy telescope is to ensure that it has a solid base. Generally, these bases or mounts are tripods.

It is important that when the telescope is mounted on these bases that the telescope does not shake or move. Obviously, any movement by the telescope, when peering into space, will distort the image being viewed and provide a negative experience.

Buy your first telescope from our e-store »

A reflecting telescope should only be used for night sky viewing. Discover the difference between reflecting and refracting telescopes in this free video on home astronomy.

Buy a telescope from our e-store »