Best telescope for astrophotography under $500

This depends on what you require from a telescope. Refractor telescopes are beginner-friendly. They also produce right-side-up images, have low-image distortion, and don’t require collimation. However, high-quality refractor telescopes tend to be quite expensive, and they often have issues concerning color fringing.  

Technically, yes! However, you will need a telescope with a large aperture! Pluto sits at the very edge of our solar system and doesn’t shine very brightly at all. In fact, Pluto looks like a faint star through a telescope. 

You should be able to see the rings of Saturn in even the smallest telescopes (25x). If you purchase a good quality, 3-inch telescope with 50x, you should be able to see the rings of Saturn in good detail. 

Galaxies are some of the most distant celestial objects that we can observe. As such, it can be tricky to see galaxies from a telescope. However, with a 4-inch telescope, you might be able to see the core of a bright galaxy.

The Hubble telescope is a Cassegrain reflector telescope. This means that the light produced by celestial objects travels down a tube, is collected by a curved mirror, and is then reflected toward a smaller, curved mirror. 

Large telescopes require extremely precise measurements. For giant telescopes, a tiny defect could throw off the entire image. As such, the manufacturing process needs to have an intense level of precision to ensure that there is no room for error.

This costs a lot more. Shipping and installation are also incredibly expensive for such precious and large pieces of equipment.

If you’re a budding astronomer, you will really benefit from a telescope that is around $250 – $500. The telescopes that you find for around $150 or less tend to have quite a low optical quality and aren’t really worth it. 

If you are looking for a decent telescope to explore your interest further, we recommend opting for a telescope that is around the $300 mark. These tend to have decent enough optics and beginner-friendly features to help you develop your skills.

Yes. However, don’t let this put you off.  Astronomy is a branch of physics, which is one of the more challenging sciences. It includes a lot of mathematical skills and patience. However, we promise you, it is also an incredibly rewarding and fun field of study. 

Astronomy is the study of celestial objects, such as stars and galaxies. It tries to understand how they were formed, their structure, their composition, and their motion. Because of this, we believe that Astronomy is one of the most fascinating fields of study ever. 

Best telescopes under $500 of 2022

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Written By Jim Beaugez

Published Jun 27, 2022 9:00 AM

Telescopes, in their basic function, are our connection to the stars. For millennia, humankind has gazed skyward with wonder into the infinite reaches of outer space. And as humans are a curious bunch, our ancestors devised patterns in the movements of celestial bodies and gave them names and built stories around them. The ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks indulged in star worship. But you don’t have to follow those lines to geek out over the vastness of the night sky. It’s just so cool. Fortunately, whatever your motivation for getting under the stars, there is an affordable option for you on our list of the best telescopes under $500.

• Best overall: Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ
• Best for viewing planets: Sky-Watcher Skymax 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope
• Best for astrophotography: William Optics Guide Star 61
• Best for kids: Orion Observer II 60mm AZ Refractor Telescope Starter Kit
• Best budget: Popular Science by Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope

The under-$500 telescope market is crowded with worthy brands and models, so we looked at offerings in that price range from several well-known manufacturers in the space. After narrowing our focus based on personal experience, peer suggestions, critical reviews, and user impressions, we then considered aperture, focal length, magnification, build quality, and value to come up with these five models.

To get the best views of the stars, planets, and other phenomena of outer space, not just any old telescope will get the job done. There are levels of quality and a wide range of price points and features to sort through before you can be sure you’re making the right purchase for what you want out of your telescope, whether it’s multi-thousands or one of the best telescopes under $500.

Optics

There are three types of optics available on consumer telescopes, and they will help you achieve three different goals. Refractor telescopes use a series of glass lenses to bring celestial bodies like the moon and near planets into focus easily. Reflector telescopes—also known as Newtonian scopes for their inventor, Sir Isaac Newton—swap lenses for mirrors and allow stargazers to see deeper into space. Versatile compound telescopes combine these two methods in a smaller, more portable form factor, with results that land right in the middle of the pack. 

Aperture

Photographers will recognize this one—like on a manual camera, the aperture controls the amount of light entering the telescope. Aperture is the diameter of the lens or the primary mirror, so a telescope with a large aperture draws more light than a small aperture, resulting in views into deeper space. F-ratio is the spec to watch here. Low f-ratios, such as f/4 or f/5, are usually best for wide-field observation and photography, while high f-ratios like f/15 can make deep-space nebulae and other bodies easier to see and capture. Midpoint f-ratios can get the job done for both.

Mounts

All the lens and mirror power in the world won’t mean much if you attach your telescope to a subpar mount. In general, the more lightweight and portable the tripod mount, the more movement you’ll likely get while gazing or photographing the stars. Investing in a stable mount will improve the viewing experience. The two common mount types are alt-az (altitude-azimuth) and equatorial. Altazimuth mounts operate in the same way as a camera tripod, allowing you to adjust both axes (left-right, up-down), while equatorial mounts also tilt to make it easier to follow celestial objects.

Why it made the cut: Solid build and specs, paired with the remarkable StarSense Explorer app, make this telescope a perfect introduction to celestial observation.

Specs

• Focal length: 650mm
• Aperture: 130mm, f/5
• Magnification: 65x, 26x

Pros

• App aids in finding stars
• Easy to operate
• Steady altazimuth mount

Cons

• Eyepieces are both low power

Newbies to astronomy today can have a decidedly different experience than beginners who started stargazing before smartphones were a thing. Instead of carting out maps of the night sky to find constellations, the StarSense Explorer series from Celestron, including the DX 130AZ refractor, makes ample use of your device to bring you closer to the stars. 

With your smartphone resting in the telescope’s built-in dock, the StarSense Explorer app will find your location using the device’s GPS and serve up a detailed list of celestial objects viewable in real-time. Looking for the Pleiades cluster? This app will tell you how far away it is from you and then lead you there with on-screen navigation. The app also includes descriptions of those objects and tips for observing them, as well as other useful info. 

The StarSense Explorer ships with an altazimuth mount equipped with slow-moving fine-tuning controls for both axes so you can find your target smoothly. And for those times you want to explore the night sky without tethering a smartphone, the scope’s red dot finder will help you zero in on your targets. The two eyepieces, measuring 25mm and 10mm, are powerful enough to snag stellar views of the planets, but not quite enough to see the details a high-powered eyepiece would deliver.

Sky-Watcher

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Why it made the cut: This telescope punches above its weight class in size and power, making it an ideal scope for viewing planets.

Specs

• Focal length: 1300mm
• Aperture: 102mm, f/12.7
• Magnification: 130x, 52x

Pros

• Great for viewing planets and galaxies
• Sharp focus and contrast
• Powerful

Cons

• Not ideal for deep-space viewing

Let’s be real—most consumers in the market for a moderately priced telescope are in it to gain spectacular views of the planets and galaxies, but probably not much else. And it’s easy to see why. Nothing makes celestial bodies come alive like viewing them in real-time, in all their colorful glory.

If that sounds like you, then allow us to direct you to the Sky-Watcher Skymax 102, a refracting telescope specializing in crisp views of objects like planets and galaxies with ample contrast to make them pop against the dark night sky. The Skymax 102 is based on a Maksutov-Cassegrains design that uses both mirrors and lenses, resulting in a heavy-hitting scope in a very compact and portable unit. A generous 102mm aperture pulls in plenty of light to illuminate the details in objects, and the 1300mm focal length results in intense magnification.

Two included wide-angle eyepieces measuring 25mm and 10mm deliver 130x and 52x magnification, respectively. The package also includes a red-dot finder, V-rail for mounting, 1.25-inch diagonal viewing piece, and a case for transport and storage. If you’re looking for pure colors across a perfectly flat field in a take-anywhere form factor, look no further.

William Optics

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Why it made the cut: Top-notch specs and an enviable lens setup make this telescope ideal for astrophotography.

Specs

• Focal length: 360mm
• Aperture: f/5.9
• Magnification: 7x (with 2-inch eyepiece)

Pros

• Well-appointed specs
• Sturdy, durable construction
• Carrying case included

Cons

• Flattener is an extra purchase

Sometimes you want to share more than descriptions of what you see in the night sky, and that’s where this guidescope comes in, helping you to focus in on the best full-frame image. You can go as deep into the details (not to mention debt) as your line of credit will allow in your quest to capture the most impressive images of space. Luckily, though, this is a worthy option at a reasonable price. 

The Williams Optics Guide Star 61 telescope is a refracting-type scope with a 360mm focal length, f/5.9 aperture and 61mm diameter well-suited to capturing sharp images of planets, moon, and bright deep-sky objects. The GS61 shares many specs with the now-discontinued Zenith Star 61, including focal length, aperture and diameter, as well as the FPL53 ED doublet lens for high-contrast images.

The scope’s optical tube is about 13 inches long and weighs just 3 lbs.—great for traveling with the included carrying case—with a draw-tube (push-pull) focuser for coarse focusing and a rotating lens assembly for fine focus. Attaching a DSLR camera to the Guide Star 61 is a fairly easy job, but note that the flattener for making that connection is a separate purchase.

Why it made the cut: The entire package is designed to get kids exploring space right out of the box.

Specs

• Focal length: 700mm
• Aperture: 60mm, f/11.7
• Magnification: 70x, 28x

Pros

• Capable of detailed views of moon and planets
• Lightweight construction
• Lots of handy accessories

Cons

• Not enough optical power to reach deep space

Parents have a limited window of time to recognize and develop their kids’ interests. That’s what makes the Orion Observer II such a great buy. Seeing the craters on the moon or the rings of Saturn for the first time can not only affirm your kids’ curiosity about space but also expand their concept of the universe—and they can get those goosebumps while learning through this altazimuth refractor telescope.

The Orion Observer II is built to impressive specifications, with a 700mm focal length that provides 71x magnification for viewing the vivid details of planets in our solar system. True glass lenses (not plastic) are a bonus at this price point, and combined with either included Kellner eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), the telescope delivers crisp views of some of space’s most dazzling objects. 
Kids and parents can locate celestial objects with the aid of the included red-dot finder. The kit also includes MoonMap 260, a fold-out map that directs viewers to 260 lunar features, such as craters, valleys, ancient lava flows, mountain ranges, and every U.S. and Soviet lunar mission landing sites. An included copy of Exploring the Cosmos: An Introduction to the Night Sky gives a solid background before they go stargazing. And with its aluminum tube and tripod, the entire rig is very portable, even for young ones, with a total weight of 4.3 lbs.

EDITOR”S NOTE: Popular Science has teamed up with Celestron on a line of products. The decision to include this model in our recommendations was made by our reviewer independently of that relationship, but we do earn a commission on its sales—all of which helps power Popular Science.

Why it made the cut: With its feature set, portability, and nice price point, this scope is ready for some serious stargazing without a serious investment.

Specs

• Focal length: 400mm
• Aperture: 70mm, f/5.7
• Magnification: 168x

Pros

• Bluetooth remote shutter release
• Ships with two eyepieces
• Pack included

Cons

• Lacks optical power for deep space

Getting out of town, whether you’re camping in the wilderness or taking a drive in the countryside, is one of the attractions of stargazing. Out in the great wide open, far away from streetlights, the stars explode even to the naked eye. Add a handy telescope like the Popular Science Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope—our pick for the best portable telescope under $500—and you’ll see much farther into space. The fact that it’s as affordable as it is moveable just adds to the value.

The Popular Science Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope is a well-equipped refractor telescope built for backpacking and adventuring but without skimping on cool gadgets. Whether you’re gazing at celestial or terrestrial objects, the smartphone adapter will aid you in capturing images with your personal device, with an included Bluetooth remote shutter release.

Designed with portability and weight in mind, the entire package fits into an included pack with a total of 3.3 lbs.—that includes the telescope, tripod stand, 20mm and 10mm eyepieces, 3x Barlow lens and more. Download Celestron’s Starry Night software to help you get the most from your astronomy experience.  

The most powerful telescope for home use from this list is the Sky-Watcher Skymax 102, which tops out at 130x magnification with its included eyepieces.

Yes, a 90mm telescope is good for viewing planetary features like the rings of Saturn and the Great Red Spot on Jupiter.

The cost of a telescope varies depending on the brand, model, and construction but there are plenty of affordable options—like the ones on this list.

A telescope with a minimum 60mm aperture has enough power to see planets.

You can see the rings of Saturn with as low as a 60mm aperture. 

The size of telescope you need depends on what you want out of it. This list of best telescopes under $500 gives a good rundown on telescope types, sizes, and uses.

Although this group of sub-$500 scopes is fairly diverse, the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ stands out in our best telescopes under $500 as the best place to start your interstellar journey due to its versatility and sky recognition app, which make for a fun evening of guided tours through the star patterns, no experience necessary. 

Best telescopes for astrophotography 2021

If you are looking for one of the best telescopes for astrophotography, then you have come to the right place. A good telescope can bring the secrets of the night sky closer, allowing you to explore distant galaxies from the comfort of your own garden. However, if you enjoy watching the night sky but also want to take some astrophotography, then figuring out what tools you'll need to get the job done can be a little tricky.

Fortunately, there are so many great options for the best telescope for astrophotography that users are often spoiled for choice. This means you can determine exactly which product is best for you and your needs. Whether you're looking for a budget telescope to explore your new hobby, or you're an experienced astrophotographer looking to upgrade your kit, we've listed our favorite astrophotography telescopes below.

Now, without further ado, we invite you to boldly go where no one has gone before and discover the best telescope…

Best Telescopes of 2021

-amateur.

Optical design: Newtonian reflector | Aperture: 130mm | Focal length: 650 mm | Focal ratio: f/5 | Magnification (with eyepieces included): x33 and x65 | Finderscope: Built-in star pointer | Install: Equatorial Motorized R/A for Object Tracking | Resolution: 0. 88 arc seconds | Limiting magnitude: 14.2 | Maximum usable magnification: x250

If you're looking for the best telescope for astrophotography and serious stellar journaling, we recommend the Celestron Astromaster 130EQ, which offers a great package for the slightly more experienced amateur astronomer. It comes with an equatorial tracking mount that allows the user to try their hand at slower shutter speed astrophotography, and its large aperture will begin to show more detail on all sorts of objects. Its optical system - a Newtonian reflector - will require collimation to reach its potential. This process can be tricky for beginners, but with practice it's easy to achieve. The full package here would be a smart choice as a first serious telescope for astrophotography, and with practice and patience offers the potential for some impressive imaging.

2. Celestron Nexstar 5SE

Quality optics with many extra features

Optical design: Schmidt Cassegrain | Aperture: 130mm | Focal length: 1250 mm | Focal ratio: F/10 | Magnification (with eyepieces included): x50 | Finderscope: Star Pointer | Install: Alt-Az goto with object tracking | Resolution: 0.88 arc seconds | Limiting magnitude: 13.8 | Maximum usable magnification: x300

- Not ideal for long exposure telephoto photography among amateur astronomers around the world thanks to its user-friendly design. The Celestron Nexstar 5SE is the entry level system for this type of telescope. This well-designed telescope is suitable for most types of astrophotography, although it is perhaps best suited for astrophotography of the Moon and planets, as opposed to nebulae and galaxies, due to the longer focal length. A wide range of accessories are also available, such as an automatic night sky alignment device.

3. Sky-Watcher Heritage-114P Virtuoso.

Great choice for Canon DSLR users

Optical design: Newtonian reflector | Aperture: 114mm | Focal length: 500mm | Focal ratio: f/4.38 | Magnification (with eyepieces included): x20 and x50 | Finderscope: Red Dot Finder | Install: Alt-Az Computerized Multifunction Tracking Mount | Resolution: 1.0 arc second | Limiting magnitude: 13.9 | Maximum usable magnification: x250 | Power Required: Power Supply 12VDC, 1A (Positive Tip)

- Collimation Required

9 The Sky-Watcher Heritage 114P Telescope, while small, offers some great features for those who want to use a small telescope for astrophotography. The mount provides a stable observation platform and also allows you to track objects in the night sky once they have been detected. The telescope can be automatically rotated in both axes at five different speeds using the mount's electronic keypad. Another interesting feature is the Freedom-Find dual encoder technology, which allows you to manually move the telescope on any axis without losing alignment or position information. This is extremely convenient and provides great flexibility during observation sessions. The telescope also includes a Canon-D electronic shutter cable that allows you to automatically control your DSLR in six preset positions. Also worth noting is the smaller 90mm Sky-Watcher Heritage 90P.

4. Celestron Inspire 100AZ refractor.

The perfect choice for beginners, whatever camera you use!

Optical design: Refractor | Diaphragm: 100mm | Focal length: 660 mm | Focal ratio: f/6. 5 | Magnification (with eyepieces included): 33x, 66x | Finderscope: StarPointer Pro | Install: Manual Alt-Az with tripod | Resolution: 1.45 arc seconds | Limiting magnitude: 12.5 | Maximum usable magnification: 214x | Power Required: N/A

Celestron Inspire Refractor - Best Telescope for Just Starting Astrophotography work, or if you have a limited budget. Although its mount is a basic unpowered alt-azimuth design, it will still allow you to capture impressive images of the lunar surface - which is by far the best starting point for trying to photograph. This telescope comes with a built-in smartphone adapter, which means you can attach your phone to the eyepiece to take photos. You can also easily mount your digital SLR to your telescope using an inexpensive adapter (sold separately).

5. Skywatcher Startravel-120 AZ-3

This telescope offers many extra features for the price

Optical Design: Refractor | Aperture: 120mm | Focal length: 600mm | Focal ratio: f/5 | Magnification (with eyepieces included): x24, x48, x60, x120 | Finderscope: Red Dot Finder | Install: EQ3-2 Equator Mount | Resolution: 1.0 arc seconds | Limiting magnitude: 12.7 | Max usable magnification: x240

Skywatcher Startravel-120 - great telescope for the price. Not only do you get a decent-sized 120mm refractive telescope, but you also get the highly respected EQ3-2 equatorial mount. It's easy to set up and use, giving you quick access to a wide range of targets. The mount also has a DSLR shutter release port for camera control. The telescope itself is well suited for general observation and photography, but is perhaps best suited for lunar and planetary photography.

6. Skywatcher Skymax 127 SynScan AZ GoTo

Excellent starting sight for planetary photography

Optical design: Maksutov reflector | Aperture: 127 mm | Focal length: 1500 mm | Focal ratio: F/11.8 | Magnification (with eyepieces included): x60, x120, x150 and x300 | Finderscope: Optical Finderscope 6x30 | Install: Alt-Az GoTo with Object Tracking | Resolution: 0.9 arc seconds | Limiting magnitude: 14.0 | Maximum useful magnification: x300

This telescope is a good example of what is well suited for a certain area of ​​astrophotography: due to its long focal length (1500mm) it is best for observing and photographing the moon and planets. The telescope is also equipped with a Barlow lens to increase the focal length for photography and high magnification observations. The whole package would be a great choice for those interested in observing the Moon and planets, and its aperture is large enough to easily spot details like Jupiter's Great Red Spot or clear views of Saturn's ring system. However, it is not very suitable for long exposure photography of nebulae or galaxies. Available with and without Go-To mount.

7. Meade ETX90-RT

This compact design offers excellent all-round performance.

Optical design: Maksutov reflector | Diaphragm: 90 mm | Focal length: 1250 mm | Focal ratio: F/13.8 | Magnification (with eyepieces included): x48, x129 | Finderscope: Red Dot Finder | Install: Alt-Az GoTo with Object Tracking | Resolution: 1.27 arc seconds | Limiting magnitude: 13. 5 | Maximum usable magnification: x200

The Skywatcher Explorer 150P is an excellent choice for those who want to upgrade beginner telescopes. Its large 150mm aperture will provide detailed images of planetary targets as well as a wide range of nebulae and galaxies. It also comes with a proper equatorial GoTo mount designed for longer exposure astrophotography, although that mount and Newtonian design do mean the setup is more difficult. The telescope is equipped with a range of useful accessories such as a polar telescope to make polar alignment quick and easy.

9. Skywatcher Evostar 120

A telescope like this can give you the pleasure of observing for a lifetime.

Optical design: Refractor | Aperture: 120mm | Focal length: 1000mm | Focal ratio: f/8. 3 | Magnification (with eyepieces included): x40, 100 | Finderscope: Optical Finderscope 9x50 | Install: Equatorial GoTo with Object Tracking | Accessories included: DSLR direct connection | Resolution: 0.95 arc seconds | Limiting magnitude: 13.8 | Maximum usable magnification: x250

- Quite large and bulky lovers. Today, much lower prices have made such tools available to a much larger number of astrophotography enthusiasts. Such a refractor telescope with a larger aperture will provide both visual and photographic use for a lifetime. It is ideal for almost any area of ​​astrophotography. The optional Advanced GoTo Equatorial Mount will give excellent results in virtually every aspect of astrophotography, from planetary to long exposure deep sky photography; it can also be bought in OTA (optical tube assembly) form, allowing you to pair it with any mount.

10. Celestron Advanced VX 8" Edge HD

Superb design and high performance

Optical design: Schmidt Cassegrain | Aperture: 203mm | Focal length: 2032mm | Focal ratio: F/10 | Magnification (with eyepieces included): x150 | Finderscope: Optical Finderscope 9x50 | Install: Equatorial High Precision GoTo with Object Tracking | Resolution: 0.57 arc seconds | Limiting magnitude: 14.5 | Max usable magnification: x350

, which gives an idea of ​​a telescope that is affordable for people on a big budget. It is an advanced amateur telescope capable of doing just about any task you can throw at it. With superior quality optics and a superb precision mount, it delivers a high level of performance in virtually all areas of astrophotography. It also has the added bonus of a superbly user-friendly system. Such a telescope will give pleasure from observations to all but the most demanding.

Astrophotography features to watch out for

• Motorized mount: This will track the movement of the sky over time. The rotation of the Earth means that celestial objects move slowly across the sky from east to west, about the apparent diameter of the full moon every two minutes. If you are using telescopes without a motorized mount, objects will appear to drift out of the field of view of the telescope and you will constantly have to manually re-center the target object. This means that you will only be able to shoot the Sun, Moon and planets with fast shutter speeds. A telescope with a motorized sky-tracking mount means you can also try your hand at long exposure astrophotography.

• Equatorial mount: These are similar to regular pan and tilt tripods, but with the pan axis tilted to match the tilt of the ground. This means you can follow the stars and planets across the sky by moving the telescope on one axis, motorized or otherwise.

• Focal length: In astrophotography, this means the same as in normal photography. The longer the focal length, the narrower the angle of view and the greater the magnification. You should choose the focal length according to the size of the objects you are interested in.

• Diaphragm or objective size: In , the aperture of the telescope, or the size of its lens, if refractive, is important. The larger the aperture of a telescope, the more light it collects and the finer details it can resolve. Generally speaking, a refractor telescope with a lens smaller than 75 mm is not worth considering. "Aperture" here does not mean the same thing as "aperture" in photography. In astrophotography, what photographers call "aperture" would be called "focal ratio".

• Refractor Telescope: This is a design familiar to most people that uses optical lenses to focus on celestial objects. In essence, they are similar to super-telephoto lenses, but designed for stargazing. This is the easiest type to set up and use.

• Newtonian reflector: They are shorter and thicker and use a parabolic mirror to reflect the image from the tube to the tilt mirror near the front. Mirror designs are more compact and often more affordable, but may require calibration or "collimation".

• Maksutov-Cassegrain reflector: These also use mirrors, but the secondary mirror at the front reflects the image back down the tube and through a hole in the primary mirror at the back to the eyepiece or camera adapter at the back. They are similar to the "reflex lenses" once popular (and still being produced) for cameras.

• Telescopic camera adapter: You will usually need an adapter to mount the camera on your telescope.

• B&H telescope adapters • Wex 9 telescope adapters0018