Refractor telescopes are not just scientific instruments; they’re your personal portals to the cosmos. For those new to astronomy, these telescopes serve as a fantastic gateway to exploring the night sky.
With a refractor telescope, high contrast and sharp images are the norm, thanks to their straightforward lens-based system. My first telescope was a refractor, and thinking back i remember the sharp images of the moon’s craters and the rings of Saturn left me in awe.
The appeal of refractor telescopes stretches back centuries. They hold a significant place in history, with legends like Galileo utilizing them to unravel the universe’s secrets. This legacy, coupled with their user-friendly design, makes them a popular choice among those new to astronomy.
In this post we’ll look at three of the best refractor telescopes for beginners.
At A Glance : The Best Refractor Telescopes For Beginners In 2024
If you’re in a hurry, here are three of the best refractor telescopes for beginners. You can read more of why these telescopes are so highly rated later in the article.
| Image | Name | Telescope Type | Aperture | Focal Length | Weight | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Celestron 21037 PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope | Refractor | 2.76″ (70mm) | 700mm, (f/10) | 4.7kg | Current Price |
 | Skywatcher Evostar-90 EQ-2 Telescope | Refractor | 3.5″(90mm) | 900mm, (f/10) | 12.4kg | Current Price |
 | Celestron 22403 Inspire 100AZ Telescope | Refractor | 4″ (100mm) | 660mm, (f/6.5) | 9.1kg | Current Price |
Choosing Your first Refractor Telescope: Essential Tips For Aspiring Stargazers
For the aspiring stargazer, a refractor telescope is an excellent first step. Its durability and low maintenance make it a practical option, ensuring your early stargazing adventures are about discovery, not dealing with delicate equipment.
First and foremost, the telescope’s aperture is a starting point; it’s the lens at the front end. A wider aperture captures more light, making distant stars and galaxies clearer and more visible.
Next, consider the focal length, which affects the magnification potential of the telescope. A longer focal length will give you greater magnification, but it also means the telescope might be larger and potentially less portable.
It’s not just about the stars; quality of the optics is paramount. Superior lens coatings improve light transmission and reduce glare, ensuring crisp and bright images.
When researching refractor telescopes for beginners, remember that a stable mount is as important as the telescope itself. A shaky mount can turn a celestial observation into a frustrating experience. It will probably come as part of the kit, but if it doesn’t, invest in a sturdy one.
For beginners, ease of use matters. An uncomplicated setup allows for a smoother learning curve, ensuring that you spend more time gazing upwards than grappling with equipment.
Price is a consideration. Set a budget that balances cost with quality, bearing in mind that this is an investment in many nights of discovery.
The right accessories can enhance the experience. A good finderscope to locate celestial objects and a couple of eyepieces with different focal lengths for varied magnification are essential parts of your toolkit.
You can learn more about buying a telescope in the post How To Buy A Telescope-a beginners guide.
The next section will introduce you to three refractor telescopes for beginners. They come highly recommended and have been chosen for their ease of use, and ability to offer great views of the night sky.
Refractor Telescopes For Beginners – Top Picks
Celestron 21037 PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope
Skywatcher Evostar–90 EQ-2 Telescope
Celestron 22403 Inspire 100AZ Telescope
Celestron 21037 PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope
Celestron Powerseeker Specifications
| Model Name / Number : | Celestron 21037 PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope |
| Telescope Type : | Refractor |
| Type Of Mount : | Equatorial |
| Aperture : | 2.76″ (70mm) |
| Focal Length : | 700mm (f/10) |
| Eyepieces Included : | 20mm and 10mm |
| Eyepiece Magnification : | 33x (20mm) and 65x (10mm) |
| Weight : | 4.7 kg |
| Price : | Check The Latest Price |
| Rating : | 9.8 / 10 |
The Celestron Powerseeker 70EQ provides bright and clear images, making it a great choice for exploring our solar system and beyond.
It’s compact and lightweight, making it ideal for taking to campsites or dark sky observing sites. Its no-tool setup also ensures you’ll be observing in minutes.
If you’re a beginner this telescope offers an excellent combination of quality, value, features, and power.
Construction
Durability and ergonomic design are vital for any telescope. Celestron’s 21037 PowerSeeker 70EQ doesn’t disappoint in its construction.
The aluminum tripod is both lightweight and sturdy, ensuring stability when you’re tracking celestial objects.
The equatorial mount accompanying the tripod is designed for precise navigation across the sky, albeit with a learning curve for beginners. Slow-motion control knobs also make tracking smooth.
Optics
Celestron has equipped the PowerSeeker 70EQ with a 70mm aperture refractor lens, ensuring that ample light gathers to view the moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects.
Its focal length of 700mm, coupled with the included eyepieces, makes for satisfactory magnification and image clarity, making your first ventures into stargazing memorable.
Accessories
Accessories can greatly enhance your stargazing experience. The package includes a 20mm Kelner eyepiece for low-power views, and a 4mm Ramsden eyepiece for higher magnification.
Also included is a 3x Barlow lens, effectively tripling the magnification power of each eyepiece. You’ll also find a finderscope and an erect image diagonal for comfortable terrestrial viewing.
Included as a bonus, the Starry Night Basic Software provides free download of a database of 36,000 celestial objects, printable sky maps, and 3D renderings.
While the accessories are a worthy addition, experienced stargazers may want to invest in higher-quality options down the line.
Limitations
In terms of limitations, the telescope’s field of view and light-gathering capabilities are adequate for a starter scope but don’t expect to capture the intricacies of distant galaxies.
That said, it excels at giving newcomers a taste of what stargazing has to offer, allowing them to develop their skills before moving on to more complex equipment.
Final Thoughts
So, is the Celestron PowerSeeker 70EQ a wise investment? For anyone standing at the gateway of amateur astronomy, absolutely. The value it provides at its price point is hard to beat.
It’s a capable learning tool that sparks curiosity and lays down a foundation for future astronomical exploration. If you seek a telescope that offers a starting point that you can build upon, this model will not disappoint.
Back To “Top Picks“
Skywatcher Evostar–90 EQ-2 Telescope
Skywatcher Evostar-90 Specifications
| Model Name / Number : | Skywatcher Evostar-90 (EQ-2) Telescope |
| Telescope Type : | Refractor |
| Type Of Mount : | Equatorial |
| Aperture : | 3.54″ (90mm) |
| Focal Length : | 900mm (f/10) |
| Eyepieces Included : | 25mm and 10mm |
| Eyepiece Magnification : | 36x (25mm) and 90x (10mm) |
| Weight : | 12.4 kg |
| Price : | Check The Latest Price |
| Rating : | 9.7 / 10 |
The Sky-Watcher Evostar-90 (EQ2) is a classic refractor telescope. A high-performance, high-resolution instrument, it’s manufactured to high standards of optical and mechanical precision. This makes the Evostar-90 from Sky-Watcher a great prospect for amateurs and seasoned astronomers alike
Construction
With its robust mount and solidly built optical tube, the Sky-Watcher Evostar-90 promises enduring quality.
The equatorial mount allows for precise tracking of celestial bodies, catering to users who value stability and ease of use.
The assembly process is straightforward, which is a relief for anyone who has ever faced the baffling array of parts typical of many telescopes.
Optics
Skywatcher have applied their expertise in crafting this 90mm refractor. The multi-coated lens provides crisp, high-contrast views without the colour fringing one might fear at this price point.
The telescope’s focal length is 900mm, resulting in an f/10 configuration. This means it has a long focal length, ideal for high-power observations.
This level of optical clarity can demonstrate the beauty of star clusters and the soft hues of distant nebulae. But how does the Evostar-90 stack against its competitors? In terms of value, it punches above its weight, often offering clearer and more vibrant images than others in its class.
Accessories
The Skywatcher Evostar-90 EQ-2 comes with a suite of accessories that aim to enhance your stargazing experience.
You’ll find a sturdy finderscope that simplifies the process of locating celestial objects. Also included are two eyepieces, 10mm and 25mm for both wide field and detailed views of the night sky.
A Barlow Lens comes with the package as does a star diagonal for more comfortable viewing. A camera adaptor is also included for those wishing to try astrophotography.
Limitations
No telescope is without its limitations, and the Evostar-90 EQ-2 is no exception. The EQ-2 mount, while sufficiently stable for casual use, may present challenges when it comes to tracking objects over lengthy periods.
The somewhat limited aperture will also restrict the amount of light capture, which might disappoint those who expect vibrant images of deep-sky objects.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Skywatcher Evostar-90 EQ-2 is a telescope that offers more than a glimpse into the cosmos without breaking the bank. Perfect for beginners and those on a budget, its construction and optics provide a solid foundation for budding astronomers.
If you’re just starting out or looking for an affordable entry into the hobby, this refractor telescope for beginners might just be your gateway to the stars.
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Celestron Inspire 100AZ Telescope
Celestron Inspire 100AZ Specifications
| Model Name / Number : | Celestron 22403 Inspire 100AZ Telescope |
| Telescope Type : | Refractor |
| Type Of Mount : | Altazimuth |
| Aperture : | 4.0″ (100mm) |
| Focal Length : | 660mm (f/6.5) |
| Eyepieces Included : | 20mm and 10mm |
| Eyepiece Magnification : | 33x (20mm) and 66x (10mm) |
| Weight : | 9.1 kg |
| Price : | Check The Latest Price |
| Rating : | 9.7 / 10 |
The Celestron Inspire 100AZ is a 4-inch (100mm) refractor telescope designed for beginners and those venturing into the world of stargazing.
Celestron has been a trusted name in the world of telescopes for over half a century, and the Inspire 100AZ from their line-up is a serious contender for budding astronomers seeking quality and reliability.
This refractor model from Celestron is known for its simple setup and straightforward operation. It’s a scope that doesn’t intimidate newcomers but invites them to get right to observing with minimal fuss.
Construction
The Inspire 100AZ has been designed to withstand the occasional bump or nudge, which is a plus for beginners getting used to handling a telescope.
This highly rated telescope utilizes a simple altazimuth mount, making it easy to manipulate. This type of mount is common among beginner telescopes and it’s lightweight construction also makes it convenient for transportation and setup.
Optics
Optics are the heart of any telescope, and Celestron does not skimp on quality here. The Inspire 100AZ features fully coated glass optics, a significant factor in providing bright, crisp images.
The 100mm aperture means more light reaches your eye, enhancing your view of the moon, planets, and beyond. With a 25.98 inch focal length this refractor provides a moderate magnification range.
Accessories
The Inspire comes with some very handy additions, the standout feature being an integrated smartphone adapter. This allows you capture photos and videos of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects using just your smartphone.
The package includes two eyepieces – a 20mm eyepiece giving a 33x magnification, and a 10mm eyepiece for a 66x magnification.
Celestron equips the Inspire 100AZ with a decent quality ‘starpointer’ finderscope, which greatly aids locating celestial targets
A 90-degree erect image diagonal provided allows the user to stand over the eyepiece holder for more comfortable viewing,
The adjustable height tripod includes an accessory tray, and to complete the accessories list a useful red LED flashlight is also included.
Limitations
While it gives a commendable performance, the seasoned astronomer might notice less image sharpness at the edges of the field of view.
While suitable for lunar and planetary observations, deep-sky objects may not yield the same impressive results.
While its portability is a plus, the mount stability can be an issue; it may wobble when adjusting, which can be frustrating when tracking celestial objects.
Final Thoughts
Reviews of the Celestron Inspire 100AZ telescope are overwhelmingly positive, leaning towards how well it serves beginners and casual observers.
Its user-friendly features and smart phone friendly design, at a competitive price point, make this one of the best refractor telescopes for beginners.
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Embarking on a Celestial Journey: Tips and Resources for New Astronomers
If you’re like me then the excitement of your first observations will be unforgettable. It’s just the beginning of your astronomical adventure.
As you look ahead, there are resources and strategies that will help nurture your newfound passion.
The night sky is vast and at times, overwhelming. This is where apps and star charts come into play. They can offer you real-time guidance on what’s visible in the sky and help plan your observing sessions.
A good starting place is a simple planisphere, an adjustable star chart that shows the constellations visible at a certain time and place. As for apps, many are beginner-friendly and can transform your mobile device into a personal planetarium.
Don’t underestimate the value of connecting with other star enthusiasts. Local astronomy clubs are treasure troves of knowledge and experience, often offering workshops, viewing parties, and telescope loans.
Online astronomy forums and social media groups can provide support and tips. Engaging with these communities can also keep you informed about astronomical events like meteor showers, eclipses, and planetary alignments.
Finally, to ensure your refractor telescope lasts, regular maintenance is a good idea.
Learn the best ways to clean your lenses without damaging them, and invest in a protective case or cover for storage. A little care goes a long way in preserving the quality of your viewing experience.
Wishing you clear skies and happy stargazing!
