For amateur astronomers that are beginning with this fantastic hobby, the sheer number of starter telescopes available for sale can be slightly overwhelming. Several prominent sources - Meade, Orion, Bushnell, and Celestron – provide several options in telescopes with a variety of features that are available for purchase.

The appropriate starter telescope depends upon your interest. If your interested observing the Moon, the planets and the brighter objects stars and astronomical objects then a starter telescope costing $50 to $150 can be quite suitable. If your are interested in observing fainter objects and/or tracking observing an object for a prolong time then a Starter Telescope with higher performance costing $250 to $350 would be more suitable.

Find the Best Starter Telescopes

Two of the main aspects that you want to look for in a telescope are good mechanical and optical qualities. Good mechanical qualities are a sturdy telescope, focuses easily, and tracks the objects the object smoothly and steadily. Good optical qualities are, on clear steady night, a sharp image of a star and a non-achromatic image. The telescope should be easy to assemble, disassemble and store by everyone in the family – young and old – especially in the dim light of the evening. A telescope for beginners with good features will readily enhance your enjoyment of amateur astronomy and will become a cherished item.

One of the main aspects that you want to look for in a brand-new telescope is for the scope to have good mechanical and optical qualities. It is possible to get a good telescope at a fair price that will be durable while providing you with the best images possible on a clear night. If you have a family, it might also be advisable to get a telescope that can easily be used by everyone in the family to gain general interest in the hobby of astronomy. Having a telescope with good features and the ability to easily be assembled and disassembled will make it much easier on other members of your family who might not be as well-versed at amateur astronomy as you are.

Starter refractor telescopes are best utilized for seeing objects that are close to Earth. The moon, various stars, and possibly Venus or Mars, on a good night, can easily be made out from the lens of a beginner's refractor telescope. Generally, beginner refractor telescopes are easy to maintain once you get them setup to your liking.

Their ease of use and ability to show great objects in the night sky make refractor scopes one of the most highly sought-after starter scopes on the market. The Celestron AstroMaster series of telescopes is right in a good price range for starters that are simply looking for an easy way to see objects in the night sky. Also, don't forget about the Meade Altazimuthand Achromatic series of telescopes as well.  Bushnell’s Voyager Sky Tour series has four telescopes which are also very nice.

Orion is another company that makes quality telescopes specifically designed with the beginner's ability level and budget in mind. From the SkyQuest Classic Dobsonian telescope to the StarBlast Astro Reflector telescope, there will undoubtedly be many choices for the amateur astronomer to choose between when they go searching for a brand-new telescope to get them started with their hobby. They also make the Altazimuth line of telescopes in the reflector and refractor versions for under $150, so they can easily be afforded by even the most frugal of astronomers.

When you are just starting to explore the wonders of the universe with your telescope, do not forget that some accessories will also be needed to get you going. If you have a Newton reflector telescope, you are going to collimation tools to make sure that your alignment is correct at all times. Looking at the moon or the sun require special filters for your telescope, so you want to make sure that you purchase those necessary instruments so that you do not damage your eyes or the scope itself.

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You'll also want to start your collection of quality eyepieces, as you will undoubtedly will be purchasing many throughout your amateur astronomy career. When you get your first telescope, this is the best time to get a couple of eyepieces for yourself just to see which style you like the best.

The wonders that the universe can impart on us are magnified many times over when they are examined through the lenses and mirrors of a telescope. Starter telescopes provide an affordable way to get your passion for astronomy off the ground. Starting out with a good scope is the key to enjoying a successful experience as an amateur astronomer.