If you’re interested in observing deep space, it’s important to choose the right telescope. Large apertures collect the most photons of light, resulting in better resolution and brightness in your projected images.
Aperture isn’t the only thing to consider when choosing a deep space telescope, though. You should also think about focal length and the size of your primary mirror.
1. Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector Telescope
The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector Telescope is a great choice for beginner and intermediate stargazers who want to take their hobby to the next level. Its large 5.1-inch (130mm) aperture lets a lot of light in, so you can see deep-sky objects like the Moon, planets and stars.
The telescope is designed for easy portability, so you can easily move it to a new location and take advantage of the best dark skies. It also includes a sturdy EQ-2 equatorial mount with dual setting circles and slow-motion hand controls.
Another key feature of this model is its f/5 focal ratio, which provides a wide field of view and bright images for your eyepieces. This is especially important if you want to explore the night sky with a wide range of objects, including galaxies, nebulae and star clusters.
This telescope can also provide good views of the Moon and planets, but you might need an additional eyepiece to get the most out of it. For example, the included 1.25″ 25mm Plossl eyepiece provides a 26-power view and is a great starting point for observing stars, nebulae and more.
Overall, the SpaceProbe 130ST EQ is a solid choice for beginner and intermediate stargazers who have a budget in mind. Its 5.1-inch (130mm) aperture and f/5 focal ratio are both impressive features, especially for a telescope at this price point.
It comes with a collimation cap and center-marked primary mirror, so you can easily align your optics and focus on astronomical targets. Its equatorial mount isn’t quite as stable as more expensive models, but it will hold up well enough to provide a decent viewing experience.
The SpaceProbe 130ST EQ is also a great choice for backyard astronomers, as it has a quick f/5 focal ratio that will allow you to hunt for galaxies and nebulae without breaking the bank. However, if you’re looking for the most detailed planet views, you’ll need to purchase a higher-power eyepiece or barlow.
In addition to the SpaceProbe 130ST EQ, this model comes with several other accessories for a complete kit. It includes a 6×30 finder scope, 1.25-inch rack and pinion focuser, tripod accessory tray, collimation cap and Starry Night astronomy software.
2. Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope
If you want a deep space telescope that will help you spot all the celestial bodies in our solar system, the Celestron NexStar 8SE is the perfect choice. Not only does it have an 8-inch aperture and a powerful computerized GoTo mount, but it also comes with plenty of accessories that are sure to help you get the most out of your investment.
The NexStar 8SE features a long Vixen dovetail bar on the side of the optical tube that lets you attach a variety of different accessories, including a star diagonal, focal reducer, and DSLR T-adapter. Its Schmidt-Cassegrain optic tube is a great size for seeing the Moon and planets, and it is capable of delivering stunning results when used with a high-quality lens or filter.
Its 8-inch aperture allows for huge magnifications, which is ideal if you’re looking to see fainter objects in the sky. Its high-quality mirror can deliver up to 480x magnification, so you’ll be able to see details on any planet or star.
This makes the Celestron NexStar 8SE a popular option among people who want to take a close look at the Sun, stars and other bright objects in the sky. It can also be used for astrophotography, so if you’re an amateur photographer with a keen eye, this may be the perfect telescope for you.
The Celestron NexStar 8SE comes with everything you need to get started right out of the box, including a tripod, an OTA (optical tube assembly), a mount arm and hand control. The entire kit weighs just 24 lbs, and it can break down into separate pieces so you can easily carry it with you wherever you want to take it.
The Celestron NexStar 8SE also has a GoTo feature that can find up to 40,000 objects in the sky, so you don’t have to know them by heart or move your telescope manually. This is a very handy feature that’s perfect for novice astronomers who don’t have a lot of experience.
3. Orion SpaceProbe II Telescope
With a wide aperture, the Orion SpaceProbe II Telescope is ideal for viewing the Moon and planets. It can also help you hunt for exotic nebulas and star clusters.
Its 76mm (f/9.2) spherical primary mirror gathers enough light to show off the faint glows of distant stars, nebulas, and star clusters. It is great for beginners and families who want to see more of the night sky without having to spend a fortune.
The SpaceProbe II telescope has a good optical quality and is able to produce images that are crisp and clear, even when used in poor weather conditions. It has a equatorial mount and comes with a number of accessories, including an aluminum tripod and accessory tray.
In addition, it is easy to set up and can be ready for use in no time at all. However, it does require a little bit of patience to setup, as it requires the use of an equatorial arm, a counterweight and a computerized worm gear.
As a result, it is not the best choice for young children who are just beginning to learn about astronomy, but is an excellent choice for adults looking to get their feet wet and take their first steps into observing the night sky.
Observers will be amazed at the pristine views of Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons that this telescope offers. Its 76mm (f/9.2) primary mirror also allows for detailed views of the beautiful craters and mountain ranges of the Moon.
The SpaceProbe II 76mm is also a great choice for beginner astronomers who are interested in taking pictures of the Moon and planets. Using a camera and a computerized motor, you can make long-exposure photos that will reveal many details of the Moon and Saturn.
With this telescope, you can enjoy the beauty of the night sky from your own backyard without spending a fortune. It’s also easy to use, and is a great choice for people who are new to the hobby of astronomy.
The SpaceProbe II 76mm telescope is easy to set up and use, making it a good choice for novices who are looking to get their feet wet and take an interest in the night sky. It comes with a number of accessories, including a red dot finder scope and a 1.25″ filter set. A 2x Barlow lens is also included, allowing the eyepieces that come with the telescope to double their magnification power.
4. Celestron CGEM Telescope
The Celestron CGEM Telescope is a great choice for those looking to get started in deep space astronomy. It comes with a wide array of features, and is very easy to set up and adjust. It is also very affordable and portable enough to take with you on trips to dark skies.
The CGEM II mount is the latest upgrade to this popular instrument. It features a more convenient design, longer lock levers, a dual-style saddle plate and much more. It is also equipped with a USB 2.0 connection on the hand controller for connecting it to a computer, Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PEC) and a dedicated auto guide port.
This CGEM II also features large Altitude and Azimuth knobs for easy polar alignment adjustment. It also has internal RA and DEC motor wiring for a clean look and simple setup. The CGEM II is also compatible with most telescope OTA’s including Vixen/CG-5 dovetails and Losmandy/CGE styles.
It’s one of the most versatile equatorial mounts in Celestron’s line of German equatorial mounts. It can be used for both imaging and visual observing, and is ideal for a variety of payloads and types of optics.
If you want to take your astrophotography to the next level, you’ll need a servo motor that can handle your load and deliver excellent tracking. The CGEM II has a low cog DC servo motor with integrated optical encoders for precise tracking and minimal cogging, even at the lowest speeds.
The CGEM II is compatible with Celestron’s StarBright XLT optics for maximum light throughput across the entire spectrum of visual and photographic objectives. It also comes with an 11 lb counterweight that can be used to balance your OTA and accessories.
Another feature on this model that is sure to please astroimagers is its Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PEC). PEC allows you to train out the periodic error in your worm gears once, and then the system will remember the recording so that you’ll never have to worry about slewing at the same speed again!
The CGEM II is an excellent performer for imaging and visual observing, but it’s a little heavier than the Advanced VX. The equatorial head weighs 40 pounds, compared to 17 for the Advanced VX, and the included counterweight is also heavier than the Advanced VX.