Backyard stargazing is a ton of fun, but you have so many options as an amateur astronomer that it can be very confusing. There are some questions you should be asking yourself before buying a telescope. You'll want to narrow down the type of telescope, your budgetary concerns as well as other things to consider before your first purchase.
Land Viewing or Sky Viewing
Telescopes are great for land viewing, but most people are looking to purchase a telescope to see the Moon, stars, planets, or nebulae. You should be narrowing that down even further. You can't buy a telescope that can see everything perfectly. Some telescopes are great for objects like the Moon while others are used for broader objects in the sky like nebulae. Before you make your purchase,
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It'll be aligned with the Earth's axis. It allows the telescope to move with the objects but keep the same field of view. It's meant for easy astrophotography. This kind of mount is best used for those who have more experience with telescopes in general.
Final Thoughts
The best telescope for beginners boils down to a personal choice. It'll depend on how much experience you have with telescopes. It'll also depend on the amount of money you're willing to spend on your hobby. Some people want the best experience possible while others want to buy a telescope to learn with their children. It'll depend on the depth of your interest and budget concerns.
Reflecting telescopes are good for a limited budget. You're getting a good amount of value, but you're getting a telescope that requires some maintenance. A refractor is a bit more expensive, but you don't have to worry about aligning it continuously. It's one that is compact and lightweight, which makes it good for travel. The alignment won't be a concern with movement, either. Those who want to eventually take pictures or video with their telescope will want to purchase a hybrid with the right