Whether you want to be an astronomer or already have been an astronomer, no matter, as in every situation a telescope is the vital device of your motive. Likewise capturing the picture of space, galaxies, and planets can be possible when you have owned the best telescope for astrophotography. I know you want to get the finest one but trust me, getting the finest one not so straightforward.
Do you feel anxious? Don’t worry; although the job is not so light, for your sake, we have done that job painless and smooth.
We behalf of you have found out a few telescopes that will definitely meet your need and expectation. Even for more convenience, you arranged our list from expensive to an inexpensive telescope. Scroll down for details.
5 Best Telescope for Astrophotography
We just want to show you the best telescope for astrophotography under $500 that allows you to have learned from beginning to end. And that’s why we’ve covered up here all the core information of these 5 telescopes which will help you make a final decision.
Even if, you are a newcomer, you will get enough knowledge from here that will lead you to your destination . Let’s get a start.
Quick Comparison Table
Product Name
Size
Weight
Aperture
Focal Length
Orion 09007 SpaceProbe
Gskyer Telescope, 600x90mm AZ
Celestron 114LCM Computerized
Meade Instruments 216006 Polaris
Gskyer EQ 80900 Telescope
Orion 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope
The first best telescope for astrophotography we have taken from huge popular ORION brands. This brand has gained reputation and stand out of the crowd because of their excellent and high-quality telescope production. Now. let’s start to know about the model from its key feature.
One of the best parts of Orion 09700 is the telescope’s unique small size and portable design. This one is typically designed for beginner to a professional astronomer means for all sorts of people. And this optical tube structure telescope is coated with shiny black color that offers you to enjoy gazing of night sky both indoor and outdoor. Likewise, the accessory tray adds extra convenience.
Another great part of the telescope is its 5.1 inches (100-150mm) aperture that’s further strengthened with 650mm focal length quantity. These settings of reflector aperture gather enough light and provide a clear and bright view of planets, moon, galaxies, and other objects.
Besides, the sturdy EQ mount and adjustable tripod allow a user to tracking their object in slow motion. In addition, the highest 260x to lowest 19x magnifying option again avow users to drag their object close to their eyes.
Apart from other features, the telescope comes with all the necessary equipment. For instance; The company includes two Plossl eyepieces (10mm and 25 mm), stray night SE software, 6×30 finder scope collimation cap, and so on.
Bottom Line This telescope is one of the best telescopes for deep space astrophotography as it comes with all essential stuff and a big aperture size. You hardly find any serious issues that prevent you to take this telescope. Moreover, it offers starry software that helps you to track your object easily and quickly.
Gskyer Astronomical Refractor Telescope
The second telescope of our list is from Gskyer brand. Although this one is not distinguished like Orion, but of course markable amidst swarm. In their telescope construction, they use German space hi-tech in order to give high performance and innovative hallmark.
At the point of a user, it is an astrophotography mainly designed for beginners and intermediate level sky viewers. Similar to the previous model it also comes in an optical design that has aluminum steel tripod and accessory tray. But unlike the Orion 09007, this one is furnished with white and black color that gives it classic look.
In case of observing the sky, it has 3.5 inches (90mm) reflector aperture and 600mm focal length. Yet the aperture size is not so large but it is perfect telescope for beginners to see the glossy view of the select phenomenon.
In fact, the anti-reflection blue film technology provides enough skillful images. Even more, the mounting knob assists a user to adjust their tripod exact on their focus item.
Plus the lowest 24x to highest 360x magnification retention help a beginner to observe their selected item in nearby. The company has given two eyepieces (25mm and 100mm) that enhance the user seeing experience.
Bottom Line The origin of the telescope is from China and not fit with professional sky viewer as the aperture size is small. But overall ,feature and quality of the telescope is enough good that you can make a try on it if you are a beginner.
Celestron 114LCM Computerized Telescope
The next model is from a super prominent and well-liked brand Celestron. Without this brand’s telescope, the list of the best telescope for astrophotography can’t be fulfilled. And of course, the selected model has outstanding features and functionality that made us put this on our list.
If you want automated astrophotography telescope, then Celestron 1141CM is an ideal choice for you. This fantastic tube design grey color and full-height tripod telescope is an absolute choice for entry-level to an intermediate astronomer.
Once more, the included database helps you to select your object automatically without any internal setting. However, we’ve here presented the Celestron 114CM Newtonian model, but they have another option available. So you can take it according to your taste.
In the case of viewing quality, it comes with Newtonian reflector 4.49 inches (114mm) aperture along with 39 inches (1000mm) focal length. This setting very efficiently provides an elegant and vivid image of your every desired object. Likewise, the hand control features enable you to control your telescope very easily.
Similar to other features and functionality, this device offers you two high-performance eyepiece (9mm and 25mm), red dot finder scope, starry night astronomy software, accessory tray, which means all required tools.
Furthermore, the highest 269x to lowest 16x magnification capacity make it all in one telescope for all type of people.
Bottom Line Only one issue we got the battery that you have to buy with an extra penny. Otherwise, it is all in one telescope that can be used without any knowledge about telescope operation. Most importantly, different reflectors options to allow you to choose your one within your budget and wish. You can undoubtedly go with this one as it is a worthy candidate.
Meade Instruments 216006 Polaris 130 EQ Reflector Telescope
The fourth one is from the renowned brand Meade Instruments which is known as Meade instruments 216006 Polaris. The model is the most inexpensive telescope in the category of the best astrophotography telescope beginner as we have presented in this lineup. Before you move on, have a look at the highlighted features.
It often occurs that beginner astronomers look for a telescope that comes within their budget but offers the quality device. Eventually, the particular model will meet their desire.
This blue color optical design telescope especially is constructed for an amateur astronomer. Its red dot finder and 10,000 included databases help a user to find their object without any basic knowledge.
Even, the 5.1 inches (1300mm) aperture and 650mm focal length enable us to gather sufficient light that ready to show you a fair and burnished image. In fact, the slow-motion control system allows a user to focus on their object accurately. In addition, the included instructional DVD and astronomy software teach an amateur how to use the telescope properly.
Moreover, unlike the other telescope as we’ve mentioned above this one comes with three different eyepieces. The low 26mm, high 6.5mm, and medium 9mm eyepieces offer you to experiment and let you learn new knowledge about astrophotography.
In fact, the accessory tray, rack, and pinion focuser make it really suitable for beginner astronomer.
Bottom Line The thing that made us present this telescope before you is its price and diverse feature. Although EQ mount may take time to understand but yet, it is not a bad choice for an amateur astronomer. However, the instructional DVD and astronomy software are there to guide when you fall into a trouble.
Gskyer EQ 80900 Telescope
The last telescope we’ve again caught from Gskyer brand which is different in numerous ways than the previous four models we have discussed above. This model bears a combination of good and a few bad features which give both advantages and disadvantages.
Very first part of the telescope is its appearance that comes with fine white and black color combinations. The tube of the telescope is made of metal material that offers good durability. Though many users complained against the material, the reasons are still unknown.
Although the company claims it is for professional uses but as per the customer review, we got it best suited with an entry-level astronomer.
Apart from the appearance, it offers you a 3.2 inches (80mm) aperture along with 900mm focal length. Plus having lens, not mirror and that adopts 99.5% light transmittance means to protect your eye from harm.
The entire feature demand that it is able to provide a clear and fantastic image, but the maximum users disagreed with the fact. So it is up to you whether you want to make a try or not.
However, the company includes three eyepieces, accessory tray, minimum to maximum magnification retention and all needed features like few others on our list. Again the Barlow lens is 3x and tripod is made from stainless steel and can be adjusted according to your needs. At last, the advance EQUATORIAL MOUNT adds another factor to consider.
Bottom Line Actually, we’ve presented this telescope in front of you in order to show you the variation between the finest and average telescope. Even if the telescope possesses many good features but we can’t avoid its bad feature. So it entirely up to you whether you want to take a risk with this model or not.
Things to considering Before Buys an Astrophotography Telescope
Whether you are shopping for astrophotography telescope or for other professional astronomy telescopes, there is always some basic factors that you have to consider. That’s why in this part, we will let you know those factors that are significant in the case of astrophotography telescope.
If you check ou these factors before shopping then, of course, you will be able to take the ideal one for you. Have a look at the details.
Think about your focus object
So you want to learn astrophotography right? But from where to start and what you want to see and observe is an important factor before select any telescope. Your focus object will determine which type, function, and feature you need in a single telescope.
For example, if you want to observe deep-sky, then you must need something high-performance device. And if you want to see only the moon, planets, galaxies, then you will need a normal type telescope. So very first, think about your focus object.
Mount
Another considerable fact about astrophotography telescope is its mount structure. The mount is a part of any telescope which can be called the heart of this device. Means without finest mount a telescope is nothing.
However, there are generally two types of mount that appear in the mart like altazimuth mount and an equatorial mount.
Whereas altazimuth mount is very easy to handle but for learning astrophotography, an equatorial mount is best. Although iy takes time to habituate, it is crucial for gather knowledge of astrophotography.
So before selecting your telescope, to check out your telescope mount is a foremost considerable factor.
The aperture size and type
Whether you want to learn astrophotography or astronomy, it does not matter here because in every situation aperture size is a crucial part of the telescope. Generally, a large aperture size allows you to observe the maximum object than the smaller one.
Meantime for astrophotography, the 3.1 to 5.5 inches aperture is ideal for beginner to intermediate level. Besides, you can take reflectors or refractor depending on your budget as both are suitable for learning astrophotography.
Portability
When you want a telescope just for your astrophotography, then the portability of a telescope must be a considerable factor. As time come within your learning when you may have to take your telescope outdoors from your home to see the sky from various point of view.
In such a situation, the portability of a telescope becomes essential. So you should check the portability of the telescope before deciding to buy one.
But this factor is not too serious like the other three we mentioned above. It can be minimized.
Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Telescope for Astrophotography
What is the difference between astrology and astronomy?
This is one of the most confusing and frequently asked questions we face. Well, astrology is non-scientific searching done by some particular person who claims to predict the future or personality of other people by observing the location of planets.
Astronomy, on the other hand, is a scientific study of planets, galaxies, Jupiter, or others in order to learn the universal origin.
Do I need any basic knowledge to operate the astrophotography telescope?
In the case of our selected telescope, as we mentioned above, you don’t need much knowledge to operate it. But out of our selection, there are many telescopes remain that require basic knowledge to operate.
Can I have to maintain my telescope?
Actually, it depends on the telescope that you have brought. So it will be better to read the instructional guild given by the telescope manufacturer.
Final Words
There is no way that one product is totally perfect and it also appropriates for our presented telescope listed. More or less we can assure you that each model we have mentioned here can be regarded as the best telescope for astrophotography. But the final decision is yours; it entirely depends on you which you want to buy. Lastly, we are happy to show you the well deserve telescope list which might meet your expectation level.
