Telescope Buying Guide

Ben asked:


After watching Prof Brian Cox’s Wonders of the Solar System on BBC this evening, I’d like to buy a telescope, to view details of planets such as Jupiter & Saturn. What magnification would be required to view details of the planets, like their moons and rings? Also, is there a good telescope capable of reaching this magnification for around £100. I see Argos currently have a telescope for £99 with 225x magnification. Would this be any good?

Dave Herron asked:


I got a Meade ETX-60 refracting telescope for Christmas. The scope included 9, 12, and 25 mm lenses. Should I be able to see Saturn clearly with this scope? If so, what am I doing wrong? No matter which lens I use, when I get it focused in, it seems like I am looking at the same little pin point of light that I could see with my naked eye.

Mark asked:


I just want something that is capable of seeing the other planets. Jupiter and Saturn are the two plants that I mainly want to see.

How much am I looking at for a telescope that is capable of this?

Thank you.

K M asked:


I want to get my young son a telescope for Christmas. I don’t want to get a toy but I don’t want something above his level either. What is the best magnification I can get to be able to see clear details of the moon but not overly fragile or detailed equipment? What also is the best magnification to see some details of Saturn or Jupiter too?

TIA…

Malaika asked:


What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever seen through a telescope (and please don’t say your neighbor!). About a week ago, my husband got his telescope out and found Saturn. That was so cool… I’ll remember that for a lifetime

Curtis K asked:


I do not know too much about astronomy but i would like to see the planets and maybe nebulae. Especially saturn and andromeda. if that is possible as well if anyone could give me the best telescope under 500$ as well as 1000$ and please explain why

cmh asked:


I have been interested in the space program since the Apollo missions. I try to follow all that is going on and now want to purchase a telescope but don’t have much to spend! Any suggestions?

Joe S asked:


I’ve got a 5″ Telescope and a Olympus digital camera, its easy to take pictures of the moon but when i try to take a picture of saturn, it is extremely hard as the picture comes out not so well, any suggestions? Thanks

universeishere asked:


I found this 8* magnification telesope in the market recently. It is a ‘ build yourself’ telescope,i.e., we get the material inside the pack and we have to construct the telescope ourselves. Also, on its cover, it was written that we can view the craters of moonplus jupiter and saturn. We would see everything like how Galileo saw. How powerful would that telescope be and is it preferable to buy it or should I search for a telescope with more magnification?

Me asked:


Few days ago I had the chance to look through a good one and it was AWESOME. I’m new to this but don’t want to waste my time with tacky beginner telescopes.