/r/telescopes

Photograph via snooOG

The home to all amateur astronomers & telescopes! Feel free to discuss anything astronomical here, from what sort of telescope you should get, stargazing tips and tricks, to how to use that scope of yours that's been sitting around! Astrophotography is permitted as well, but feel free to check out /r/astrophotography for more of that.

If you're looking for your first telescope, please read the stickied post and check out the review/buying guide links in the sidebar before posting.

Telescopes, eyepieces, events, marathons, charts, eyepieces, reviews, marathons, articles, etc. Anything that relates to amateur astronomy and its practice.

Visit our discord Chat

(For more in-depth help, please use the subreddit. Posts are helpful for people with similar questions.)

Additional Subreddits of Interest

Subreddit Rules


Before posting, make sure your post follows the subreddit rules otherwise they may be removed.


  • Rule 1:

  • If you're totally new to telescopes and astronomy, please read our Beginner's Quick Guide to choosing your first telescope which is sticky'd to the top of the subreddit. Failure to read and posting "which telescope should I buy" will result in your post being removed and you being referred to this guide.


  • Rule 2: Petitions/surveys/crowdfunders

  • Links to petitions, surveys, crowdfunders, and other advertisements to sell your own products are prohibited here. There are other subs and communities for this. You can post used item ads here, but do post them on other communities or websites such as Cloudynights, Astromart, etc.


  • Rule 3: Be civil

  • Non-civil behaviour such as insulting, flaming, etc, will not be tolerated. This sub is a place for everyone to learn and help each other, and such behaviour only does bad things to everyone involved.


  • Rule 4: Direct links

  • Direct links should be accompanied by commentary as a top level comment, and should be a source of discussion. Not providing commentary, or posting content from a single source will be assumed to be attempts of driving traffic, which is not allowed here. Self promotion is only permitted to active members of the community.


  • Rule 5: Images

  • Images must have a top-level comment containing acquisition and processing details. This includes your gear as well as any processing you did to the image. This enforces quality, encourages discussion, and benefits everyone. Images must be taken by you, with gear which you own - remote or professional services such as DSW or Hubble are not permitted. Concept art is not permitted, nor is content not relating to visual astronomy/telescopes. Infringing posts will be removed.


  • Rule 6: Titles

  • Titles should not be 'clickbaity' nor self-deprecating - we're all here to learn so there is no point in calling yourself a 'noob' and/or putting yourself down. Titles should be descriptive about what you're discussing/posting.


  • Rule 7: Low effort content

  • Low-effort content such as those complaining about the weather (we get it, clouds are bad), simple questions that usually result in one line responses (these should be posted in our weekly discussion threads instead), general 'shitposting', memes, etc. are not permitted in the subreddit. r/telescopes aims to be a high quality sub where users can discuss all things telescopes and astronomy, but allowing such repetitive and low-effort posts will drastically lower the overall quality of the sub.

/r/telescopes

174,887 Subscribers

1

FMA180 PRO / other options

First post on here, but does anyone have any experience or expert opinions on this little refractor. I’m a college student with not much space so I’m looking for something to store in my car along with my mount. The price is also appealing and I like the idea of being able to capture both Orion and horse head along as well as the heart and soul nebula. If anyone has any other recommendation for another small refractor at a decent price send them my way too! My previous scope is an 560/80mm refractor and I’d like something more compact/widefield

0 Comments
2024/12/03
03:52 UTC

1

What telescope should I get my loved one for Christmas?

As the title suggests I’m looking for a present but I know nothing about this stuff. BUDGET:$500 LOCATION: Texas middle of Austin and San Antonio Does not need to be super portable Light pollution it’s not horrible but not great

8 Comments
2024/12/03
02:54 UTC

2

Baader morpheus

I think I want to buy one of these while they're on sale for $247. It seems like a good price. I'm going to use it with a 9.25 celestron edge hd. 2350mm focal length f/10 on an am5 mount. I should have very good seeing conditions in rural vermont.

I don't have many eyepieces. They are all orthos. Focal lengths 4.8, 7.7, 10.5, 16.8 and 24mm.

I'm not sure if I should get something bigger, or get something smaller for planets, but with better eye relief.

The morpheus focal lengths are 4.6, 6.5, 9, 12.5, and 17.5mm.

7 Comments
2024/12/03
02:41 UTC

1

Telescope to see the planets when aligned on January 25th

Hello I’m on here looking for recommendations for a telescope to be able to see the planets on January when they are lined and up and visible and tips are welcome! As I’m very new to this just very interested in it

4 Comments
2024/12/03
00:40 UTC

2

How do you guys find such deals on telescopes?

I have been searching for a 8” dobstonian telescope and no matter where I go I get the price of $740CAD. But when I ask people where to go to get one cheaper, they find ones under $500. For example, there was one on Ali express for $450 and one on Amazon for 350 - which sounds a bit fishy, but regardless. However, no one tells me how they actually find these sites. I want to compile a bunch of them and compare which are cheapest and I trust most and then buy from that one. Thanks

5 Comments
2024/12/02
23:34 UTC

2

$39 Starsense dock and extra :D

https://preview.redd.it/tjm9yzzrli4e1.jpg?width=2560&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d9d594d8fa663ffeea60750b185f034624d47f3

Got this from the online shop of Goodwill. $39 includes shipping and tax. Obviously I was aiming to part out the Starsense dock. Took the gamble on the hope that Celestron will provide a new code.

Once recieved the telescope, I assembled it, wrote my email and date on a piece of paper, taped it on the scope and took a picture (think "proof of life" photos when someone is kidnaped). I then submitted a customer service request with this proof of ownership photo. It only took several hourse and I got a new code! Say whatever you want regarding Celestron's business practice but on providing replacement code they does make this pretty painless.

1 Comment
2024/12/02
22:52 UTC

9

What's the most you've spent on a telescope and mount?

.

42 Comments
2024/12/02
22:26 UTC

1

Advice needed

Hello! I apologize in advance I'm sure this is asked quite a bit. I've read the guides here and believe that I have it narrowed down to three choices. I'd love opinions on which you'd go with/why. For reference, my son is really into space and has been asking for a telescope for quite some time. I'd rather get a decent telescope now than upgrade down the line. It would be for him but my husband and I would also use it.

I'd prefer this one (option 1) because of the price point but am willing to purchase one of the other two if it would be worth paying that much more.

https://www.highpointscientific.com/apertura-ad6-6-inch-dobsonian-telescope-ad6

Option 2-

https://www.highpointscientific.com/apertura-ad8-8-inch-dobsonian-telescope-ad8

Option 3-

https://www.highpointscientific.com/skywatcher-8inch-traditional-dobsonian-telescope-s11610

For reference, I looked up our light pollution on the info provided on here and it looks like where we live is in a green zone. Would the ad6 be sufficient enough? If you think going with one of the ad8 can you tell me why? What would the differences be? Also if between the two ad8 options which would you go with?

Thanks!

10 Comments
2024/12/02
22:03 UTC

104

3D Print 4:1 fine focuser add on for basic Rack and Pinion focusers 1.25"

12 Comments
2024/12/02
21:01 UTC

19

Flaming Star and Tadpole Nebulae

1 Comment
2024/12/02
16:59 UTC

2

Beginner Dobsonian Telescope for travel: carry-on advice?

Hey everyone!

I live in NYC but spend about two months a year in the Dominican Republic. I’m looking to buy a beginner Dobsonian telescope and need something that can fit in carry-on luggage or at least be easy to travel with on flights. I’ve narrowed it down to two options:

AWB OneSky 130

Zhumell Z130

Does anyone have experience traveling with either of these telescopes on a flight? Specifically:

Which one fits better in carry-on luggage?

Any tips for flying with a telescope?

I’d love to hear your experiences or advice odsn what to expect when flying with a telescope. Thanks in advance!

7 Comments
2024/12/02
15:41 UTC

0

Another best mount request

New to star gazing. Doing alot of research on best viewing place. Found a athletic club about an hour north (of philadelphia) that i am allowed to go to. Been there once with family. Went stargazing in the back yard a few days ago, found Jupiter with 4 of the moons (really cool). I was using a celestron astromaster 130 with the celetron lens kit. 6mm plus the barlo. It zoomed in, but whenever I touch the focus to adjust, everything wiggled... I breathed and the picture wiggled. I couldn't see anything but a white blurry "star" with a extremely faint radish overtones (along with the 4 moons in what appears to be the same planetary axis plane. I hope that is the correct way to explain it. I heard the eq mount it comes with it terrible. The thin stainless steel (i believe) legs bend at the extention joint when extended fully.

  1. What is a the 'next step up' in eq mounts that have the dovetail telescope securement to remove the wiggle?

  2. Why couldn't it see more? I used www.astrospheric.com to see when the sky would be clear (not fully transparent), and I still couldn't see more. My calculations said that the zoom was just over 200x and the max effient zoom of my scope is 260x I believe. If that is correc5, what am I missing?

Any help would be good. Thanks community!

10 Comments
2024/12/02
15:10 UTC

2

Computerized Telescope & easy of use?

I am thinking of getting a scope. Budget is sub 1.5k.
I live in the burbs with light pollution, so that is a concern. But I am also an hour or so from palomar mountain, so I am planning some night trips out there.

I care mostly about ease of use. I understand its best to learn to find the stars without a computer. But I like the idea of a computer finding the harder items. I would love to see some messier objects, as well as some of our distant planets.

I was considering a NexStar6SE or NexStar8SE. Understand the mount sucks. Setup seems to take a little while each time. And I can't move the telescope manually, which feels weird.

I originally wanted a DOB, but I am a little concerned about setting it up and storing it and moving it in my car.

I am at the point where I am happy to pay a premium for some easy of use. Anything fit the bill?

6 Comments
2024/12/02
15:02 UTC

1

Looking for feedback on telescope for budding astronomer

I've spent the past few weeks researching options. Background:
Bottle class 5
No experience
Gift is for middle school student who has expressed sustained interest in astronomy
Budget preference is $250-$500
We own some Celestron 10x50 binocs but nothing else

I've narrowed it down to 3 choices:
Aperture AD6 - two concerns.
1 - will it be too big and heavy (it's 40+ pounds) for a young-ish kid? Size is the primary reason I'm not looking at AD8 despite the obvious preference for that scope on this Reddit! I think the 50+ pounds would basically require help at his age and that's going to be a limit.
2 - will the lack of any automated finding in context of light pollution lead to loss of interest? As in - if stuff is too hard to find, will he give up?

One Sky from AWB - two concerns.
1 - will I wish I'd gotten a larger aperture and end up spending money on a bigger scope immediately?
2 - same lack of assisted finding as above

SeeStar - also two concerns.
1 - inability to see planets seems like something a new astronomer might have difficulty with. I want to kindle that joy of seeing Jupiter or Saturn for the first time.
2 - is astrophotography going to scratch the itch I'm looking for? He's very into tech as all kids his age are, but will it feel too disconnected? eg you choose an item on the phone and then wait an hour and see the result

Any advice welcome

20 Comments
2024/12/02
13:41 UTC

1

Binoculars under $250?

Looking to get binoculars for my father-in-law. I’ve read through the beginners buyers guide and other existing posts here, but I am wondering if there’s any updated suggestions at this time (Dec 2024)! Any help would be truly appreciated. Thanks!

4 Comments
2024/12/02
12:55 UTC

40

M37 ‘January Salt & Pepper’

C8 on an exos2-gt mount with onstep kit. Nikon d7100 iso 800 17 30” exposures. January embers…my farts burn there too.

1 Comment
2024/12/02
12:27 UTC

0

buying our first telescope

my partner and i (UK m28 f29)want to buy a telescope for christmas at around the £100 price anyone have any good ones i should look into?

6 Comments
2024/12/02
10:49 UTC

14

Uncle Left Cash for Telescope - $5k

Uncle left me cash for a telescope. It has to be spent on one or nothing. I’ve never had one but he loved them. Rural living, lots of dark skies and easy access to electrical power. Automation a plus if I can type in an object and it finds it. $5k to spend.

15 Comments
2024/12/02
08:17 UTC

1

Advice needed - XT8 is great, but the knee/back want to vote it off the island

Hi redditors. I have been an amateur stargazer for years. Bought an XT8 years ago when I lived in the Cali desert and LOVED it with the big beautiful starry skies that are signature of the desert experience. Invested in a lot of great eye pieces and just loved it. Moved to LA and stopped using the telescope as much due to life and the huge amounts of light pollution. I’m jumping back into the hobby again, but I have a rough knee and back issue now that is bad, to say the least. I found that the XT8 is so hard on me now, physically. Carrying, moving it around, and even adjusting the tube for the basic star-hopping is incredibly hard on my body.

TLDR: any recommendations for a new telescope upgrade, or some modifications that can make the standing/crouching/bending easier with the dobsonian set-up of the XT8? I looked at the NextStar 6SE, as it’s in the ballpark of the budget I’d spring for if I bought a new telescope entirely but was concerned seeing mount issues with other posts.

Thank you.

7 Comments
2024/12/02
08:11 UTC

10

Why did I buy this eyepiece?

Greetings, I have a powershitter 114eq (put down your pitchforks, I am looking at getting an 8” dob) Anyways, long ago I bought a 9mm Plossl and a 2x Barlow, I think because I read somewhere that these would go well with the telescope. However, I tried finding this advice again and couldn’t. And when I look here, this eyepiece was never recommended for this telescope. So I was wondering if my Omni 9mm plossl is completely useless for the powerseeker.

13 Comments
2024/12/02
06:45 UTC

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