/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

150,970 Subscribers

1

Is this a good buy?

I'm looking to buy my first scope and I came across this https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1693405219 I want your opinions if this is a good deal

1 Comment
2024/05/15
18:57 UTC

6

Another post on camping telescope recommendations šŸ˜¬

I've read the existing posts on telescope recommendations and am more confused than I was before.

For context, I had a telescope years ago, but wasn't consistently using it so I sold it.

I'd like to get back into it and would like to purchase something that I could easily set up while camping.

  • Budget: Up to $500. I could splurge a bit more (up to $1000) for the right telescope and if the ROI is significant.

Location: US

  • Requirements: Easy to set up and put away. Some portability so I can haul it short distances (think a mile or so from parking lot to viewing/open area). With the right carrying case, I'm comfortable carrying up to 40lbs (hopefully it won't be that much!). I'm a noob when it comes to astronomy, but I do know that I don't want a scope that requires computer hookup. That said, it would be great to be able to capture pictures with my phone, so a mounting piece would be nice.

I'm sure there are other things I should be considering. Any recommendation and advice is much appreciated.

14 Comments
2024/05/15
16:48 UTC

9

Gift Idea

Hello,

I'm shopping for a gift for a retiring colleague who is a hobbyist in this arena. I was told that "money is not an issue" by my boss, and he genuinely means it; however, the guy who is retiring is not flashy or ostentatious, so a high-quality telescope that isn't huge or fancy would fit the bill.

He has a small Televue Pronto telescope from when his kids were little but could never justify a larger/higher quality telescope.

I know nothing about this type of equipment and am hoping someone can point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

10 Comments
2024/05/15
14:25 UTC

4

Astromaster 130EQ-MD vs. Starblast 4.5 EQ

Is the orion better than the astromaster? I found a deal on ebay, that is pricing it at 50 euros, and I wondered, if it is a good deal, considering the astrophotography side of things and the quality, is it any better that the astromaster?

4 Comments
2024/05/15
11:49 UTC

17

moon craters Cyrillus and Theophilus

Shot on Celestron 5ā€ SCT on a ZWO ASI 178 MC Camera. Clear night everyone!

0 Comments
2024/05/15
10:43 UTC

2

Which astronomical laser should I buy?

I am from India, I am planning to get a laser pointer for visual astronomy.

But I am unclear on which one should I buy. It should also be safe and comply with the laws and regulations here.

8 Comments
2024/05/15
09:42 UTC

30

M83 - The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy

3 Comments
2024/05/15
04:56 UTC

8

How portable is a Dobsonian?

I'm looking to get a telescope, I've saw a couple 2nd hand ones but don't know if they are worth buying.

Sky-Watcher 150P Classic - $400AUD

Saxon 90/900 Az3 6 inch Dobsonian Deepsky - $450AUD

Skywatcher Dobsonian Flextube 200P - $600AUD

I have a couple concerns of how portable they are, I don't really want be to pulling apart 2nd hand scopes if i can avoid it.

my other concern is whether or not its actually worth it to buy a 2nd hand one. I could by the 6inch Dobsonian new for ~$650AUD, if it is bad to buy a 2nd hand, but it would just mean I need to save for a bit longer. and if I'm buying a new one, is there any other telescopes I should look into that are around the 600-700 AUD range?

11 Comments
2024/05/15
03:56 UTC

1

Problems with my SLT mount

So I own a celestron nexstar 90 slt and it's worked fine for the couple of months I had it but suddenly my side to side buttons stoped working and now I can't move it form side to side. What I'm thinking is that this is a problem with the voltages or something but idk hopefully someone can help me thanks.

1 Comment
2024/05/15
03:41 UTC

4

Is it worth it to fix?

My friend recently gifted me his old Celestron powerseeker 127EQ. He said that he believes part of it was broken but couldnā€™t remember which part.

Iā€™ve never used a telescope like this before - is it worth it to try to problem solve and fix it? I wouldnā€™t know where to begin. Any advice would be appreciated!

9 Comments
2024/05/15
01:18 UTC

22

What was the biggest scope you have looked through, was it hype or hot?

I recall the first time I saw the rings if saturn as a kid from a 10 or 12" SCT, that was hot. I also recall looking through a giant 30" dob at cherry springs seemed neat and I still remember it, though wasn't as impressed as I thought it would be. Maybe it was also the random nebula we were looking at? How about you?

33 Comments
2024/05/15
00:40 UTC

4

9.25, 10, or 11 SCT?

I currently own a Meade LX200 Classic F10 10" as well as a 102mm refractor and an AM5 mount. I use both, though focusing on the SCT as it is galaxy season now. Currently I am having some compatibility issues with my Classic on the ASIAir. This appears to be a new bug, though it is making really consider some different options, if this doesn't work out. I could always defork it and use it on the AM5, though I could also keep it on the fork sell it as a complete working unit and look at either a Celstron 9.25 or even a 11 inch. The celestrons seem interesting as the newer ones are compatible with the Hyperstar. Though I do wonder if the 11" would be to much for the AM5, granted I would use any SCT on a beefer tripod. I also like visual astronomy and going down to a 9.25" seems odd, though the 11" seems about the same weight as my 10". I currently have my SCT on a wheely bar, so weight isn't a huge issue as I just roll it out of the garage. I would be going used if I were to go with Celestron, though I assume the optics and coatings and something like an edge would be better than what I have now, would be cool to shoot at F2.

3 Comments
2024/05/14
23:19 UTC

23

Thr Swan Nebula (M17)

2 Comments
2024/05/14
22:33 UTC

12

My 4yo is super interested in space. Where to start?

Hi All,

My 4yo has recently become interested in all things space. We were able to witness the total solar eclipse, and the northern lights recently.

I would love to foster his interest and get him a telescope so he can see things himself.

I read the intro guide, but this is all new to me, and him being only 4yo is also a factor.

What are your recommendations for kids?

** edited to add-

We are in a small rural community in Southern Ontario with minimal light pollution.

29 Comments
2024/05/14
21:08 UTC

1

Help with focuser

Hi my focuser was wobbling a bit when going completely in and out. I took it apart and now it is just completely off when I try to put it back. Any recommendations?

9 Comments
2024/05/14
20:14 UTC

2

Deals during holidays?

Hello everyone. Can anyone tell me if there are any Black Friday deals on telescopes in the USA or do they just stay the same price throughout the year? Like right now, Apertura AD8 is at 650 dollars (us), will it be discounted comes November? Is there a better time of the year to buy brand new telescopes? Thank you.

8 Comments
2024/05/14
18:11 UTC

2

Filter thread for skywatcher Mak127

Hi, I got two Baader filters for my Mak127 like 2 months ago. Both were two inches, like my current telescope. When I tried to install them, none of them fit correctly, so I returned them. I want to get filters so I can start using the telescope a little bit better, but I do wonder if the thread issue has more to do with my telescope than with the baader filters. Is thereā€™s something Iā€™m missing? Do I need to get a thread adapter no matter what? Iā€™d appreciate your help :) Thank you!

9 Comments
2024/05/14
16:19 UTC

13

What's the difference between schmidt cassegrain and maksutov cassegrain?

Probably a dumb question, and btw, how do they have so high focal lengths when they don't look that long?

21 Comments
2024/05/14
15:36 UTC

8

Best books for Stargazing?

I need a few recommendations for the best books on stargazing

I found a few, but I am confused on which to buy

These are a few ones I found:

  1. Collins Stargazing: Beginnerā€™s guide to astronomy
  2. Stargazing for Beginners
  3. 110 Things to See With a Telescope: The World's Most Famous Stargazing List

But still I am confused which one to buy

20 Comments
2024/05/14
15:01 UTC

2

Motorising a Bresser Messier 8" Dob

Hi y'all, I have a Bresser Messier 8" dob which i'd like to motorise in order to track the moon and planets for AP.
I've been looking at different DIY kits like the ez-goto but it'd be nice to hear from someone who has already motorised a scope like mine. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

10 Comments
2024/05/14
14:51 UTC

0

Is this a good deal ?

https://preview.redd.it/dje863xc7e0d1.png?width=1288&format=png&auto=webp&s=2f358fdbf8a8db78b0205f8c1dd8f71e9af32190

I found this used telescope at the price of 300 euro with the tripod and everything. The only thing that concerns me is the spherical mirror and the stability of the mount (I want this telescope only for visual view).

10 Comments
2024/05/14
13:25 UTC

2

Stellarium mount control help

I have an LX90 that I can control with Stellarium from my PC, but that's not much use since it's a desktop computer and I can't take it out of the house with me. When I connect the mount to my phone using this guide https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/692243-how-to-control-your-usb-enabled-scope-with-stellarium-mobile-plus/, it connects fine but I get "Get pos => TRX timeout" and the telescope won't move when I click on an object and "goto." With the laptop, I created a profile for the mount with identical settings to the one on my PC but when I click "start", the app pauses for a second and then nothing happens, "Stopped" doesn't changed to "Started." If anyone knows how to fix either of these issues it's much appreciated :)

0 Comments
2024/05/14
03:34 UTC

63

Eagle Nebula

1 Comment
2024/05/14
02:11 UTC

Back To Top