What type of telescope should you buy?

Refractor, Newtonian, Dobsonian, Maksutov, or Schmidt? If you are just starting out you may not even know what those names mean, and that's OK!

In this video I will talk you through the major pros and cons of the primary telescope types recommended for beginners today.

[dennisstilwell]

I've watched several of your videos and I just wanted to say "thank you" for taking the time an effort to make and present these on YouTube.

[michaelbalog]

I enjoy your videos. Thank you for taking the time and making great videos. The most important aspect of any astronomical telescope is light Gathering capability. The 8in dobsonian offers simplicity, ease-of-use, durability and the ability to gather large amounts of light. I started out with a department store 70mm refractor and that narrow tube a narrow field of view was not what I needed as a new astronomer. I disagree with your 90mm refractor recommendation I think the wide-field View of an 8 inch reflector is much better for a beginner.

[RafaelBenedicto]

I would like one Hubble Space Telescope w/ included Atlas rocket. I'll pay through Paypal. Tnx

[OberKloster]

It's always pleasant to watch your videos. I own the Orion Skyview 90 mm since early 90's, still working well!! Now trying to take a few pictures of the Sun next 12/14 here in Patagonia. Thanks a lot for your info and advices!!

[Flufieman]

Thanks allan! I've been deciding over the Orion AstroView 90mm and the Orion StarBlast II 4.5 for the last week now. This is a great video and really laid out the pros and cons. I'm purchasing the AstroView first thing tomorrow!

[JP]

Getting back into astronomy in my retirement. This video is great... thank you!

[dawnallen]

So glad I came across your video. I've been wasting hours looking at what to buy as a complete beginner. So informative, simple honest advice from someone who wants to help others get into this hobby and not waste their money. Thank you so much I will be watching the rest of your videos ❤

[barrystv]

The most beneficial instructional video I have seen on youtube yet. Thank you for your producing such an informative and easy to follow video.

[Astrogator]

Thanks for this, was one of the most helpful. And good at answering some of my questions. Always worth mentioning binoculars for starting my 12 x 42 still have me addicted to looking at the moon.

[astop]

Just got a telescope (70mm orion refractor) and have watched a few of your vids. Comparisons vids and lenses. Thanks for your info. It really does help beginners to understand terminology and the pros amd cons of many types of scopes.

[MultiCappie]

After watching and reading maybe 20 different sources on this same question, first I have to say thanks, the overview of the different types of telescopes was very helpful and your recommendations were all well taken and have influenced my thoughts very much.

Second, I actually went a slightly different way with my first "telescope:" I bought a pair of low-end "astronomy binoculars" (the Celestron 15X70 Skymasters), on sale for $70, as well as a heavy, round ceramic bowl to chart the shadows of the Sun.

As the decision is so complex, I revisited my own reasons for really wanting to do astronomy in the first place, and had to come to the conclusion that my requirements are actually very modest: to re-create the discoveries of Pythagoras (that the Earth is round), Aristarchus and Copernicus (that the Sun is the centre of the solar system, the order of the planets), Eratosthenes (the circumferences of the Earth and Moon, and the distances to the Sun and Earth), Galileo (that Jupiter has moons), and John Wright (that the Milky Way is a galaxy, we're in it, and there are others.) Just with this, I felt it was "enough" to be able to observe 1. The shadows of the Sun and Moon. 2. A lunar eclipse. 3. The phases of Venus. 4. The moons of Jupiter. And 5. The Andromeda galaxy. None of which requires seeing craters on Ganymede or stripes on Jupiter or nebulae or binary stars etc.

Given that short list, the best advice there is, and you said it too: don't bother with a cheap telescope, but a close second is: consider binoculars if you're on a budget. Hence my purchase. Now about the purchase: I am very happy with my decision. I have already observed the moons of Jupiter on several nights, and clearly one can make out that they are orbiting Jupiter, as they're in different places each night. Venus is in a very inconvenient location presently (too close to the Sun) but given the roundness of Jupiter in my view, I'm sure I'll be able to discern the phases of Venus once I have a chance. I have attempted (once) to observe the Andromeda Galaxy, but it was cloudy, and I was unprepared for mosquitoes. (lol).

As for observing the shadows of the Sun, I haven't started yet, as my condo building is in the midst of exterior renovations and my balcony is not available for use. Once it re-opens, I will suspend a black glass marble with some fishing line across the bowl and make my observations once a month with alternating colours of sharpie marker. Then I plan to do a road-trip to a city at least a few hundred kilometres North or South, to compare the angle of shadows from a stake in flat ground, in order to re-create the advances of Eratosthenes.

After I complete these observations, and reconfirm the works of the great astronomers, I will probably see if I can see Uranus without leaving the City, and maybe take a gander at the Orion Nebula, and at that point, see if I have any further ambition in astronomy.

If I do, I'm convinced by your presentation and others that a refractor is the way to go, but as I consider the next big advance after Galileo to be Astrophotography, I would look to get APO optics and a computerised mount along with a camera of some type. I'm sure that (and maybe a couple different eyepieces or a new finder scope) would take care of all the rest of my star-gazing and astrophotography needs.

Thanks again for your invaluable input to these decisions.

[chrismelander]

By far the best guide to getting your first telescope.

[lutherpolaris]

What a concise and useful presentation. Very nicely done.

[Robert]

Hi Allen, I'd like to challenge your opinion regarding astrophotography. I believe it should be seriously considered even by the beginner. I say that because, while there is a certain fascination in putting your eye up to the eye piece and seeing photons that have trudged across space-time from Jupiter or Betelgeuse or Andromeda, there is so much more to see that you can never see with the eye. Most objects, other than the planets, require a time exposure to become visible; require a camera to become visible. I've been actively engaged in astronomy for 3+ years now and vaguely involved most of my life. I have owned a 3 and 4.5 inch reflector, an 8 inch dob, a Celestron 70mm AZ and finally a Meade LX200. I even have access to our club's 14 inch SCT. Even when looking at a bright nebula like the Orion Nebula, none of these scopes can provide a view as good as I can get with a camera and a good lens or a camera and the 70mm Celestron. With that being the case, why is astrophotography not the first thing we talk about rather than the last? I believe the time has come for someone to design a beginner scope with a fully integrated camera. Ideally, it would involve some elementary image stacking right in the camera software. Anyway, its an idea I've been floating for a couple of years now and I hope somebody can eventually do it cheap enough to allow for a beginner version.

[breworbebrewed]

Thank you! What a great video, packed with information for the beginner (such as myself). My wife bought me a 70mm refractor as a gift and after seeing four of the moons of Jupiter I had to tell her she created a monster.

[chettdavidson]

Thank you Mr. Hall for your knowledge that you share regarding telescopes. I have been trying to figure out what is going to work best for me and ensure my first telescope purchase will satisfy my growth in astronomy. This video helped me make my final decision and I appreciate your time dedicated to educating newbies. My original thought was to purchase an 8" dobsonian but due to size and travel capabilities I had a change of heart. My telescope purchase is going to be the Orion Astro View 120 ST. If you have any suggestions or advice on this please let me know.

[Hawks]

This video deserves way more views. So informative, thank you Allan. I was looking at a Sky-Watcher Startravel 120 EQ3 Refractor telescope for viewing Deep Sky Objects and the information in this video has sold me on it.

[ianedmonds]

In my experience from living out in the country for a few years where there was zero light pollution. I think being outside for a good hour will help in seeing detail.
Our eyes take a long time to adjust to night and the slightest light contracts our pupils very quickly.
If you spend a bit of time 1+ hours outside with no light pollution it's crazy how much more of the night sky is seen.
The same thing has got to be true through a telescope. If you go look with your daytime vision you're not gonna see that much but if you acclimate to the dark you will see much more.
I could be wrong. This is just a theory vis a vis telescopes but I have a telescope now and I'm gonna test this if these damn clouds ever clear...
Great video.
Luv and Peace.

[BrockOBauma]

I've been watching a bunch of videos on what type of telescope to get, and this is the most helpful one so far. 👍

[JohnDoe-vqbg]

first thanks! this is the best beginner video on YouTube! everyone else on YouTube is at best second to you! hats off and best regards sir!!! 🔭