How to Choose a Telescope and What Telescopes Not to Buy!
HOBBY KILLERS: WHAT TELESCOPES NOT TO BUY
By: Jerry Oltion – November 26, 2019
It may be hard to believe, but some telescopes are worse than having no scope at all. When you want to enjoy a night out under the stars, you’re better off with a pair of binoculars or just with your naked eyes than with a telescope that can’t be aimed easily and doesn’t show a pleasing view of whatever you do manage to point it at. I’ve watched people spend all night trying to find something, anything, to look at, often spending their entire time fiddling with the scope rather than observing the sky. It only takes a couple of nights like that for a person to decide that astronomy isn’t any fun — thus the term “hobby killer.”
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR FIRST TELESCOPE
By: The Editors of Sky & Telescope – December 15, 2016
[H]ere is a guide to help you make sense of the “universe” of telescope models available today. Armed with these few basic types of telescopes, you’ll have a good idea what to look for (and what to avoid) when scouring the marketplace for your new scope. Get the one that’s right for you!
HOW TO CHOOSE A TELESCOPE
By: Adrian R. Ashford – January 25, 2021
Before you buy anything, you must determine what’s important to you. What do you most want to look at? How dark is your sky? How experienced an observer are you? How much are you prepared to spend? Where will you store your telescope, and how much weight are you willing to carry? Answer these key questions, familiarize yourself with what’s on the market, and you’ll be well on your way to choosing a telescope that will satisfy you for many years to come.
HOW TO USE A STAR CHART AT THE TELESCOPE
By: Alan MacRobert – March 4, 2017