Best telescope UK
Which is the best telescope in 2024?
VIEW OFFERBest of 2024: Find the right telescope in the UK
Finding the best telescope for your needs can be a challenge when there are so many options to choose from. Not all telescopes are made equally, with some being better suited for certain things than others, so it’s important that you know what you need the telescope for most. To help find the best telescope, we’ve created a handy buying guide that has all the information you need to know to understand what to look for in a telescope. This makes it easier to find a great telescope that is perfect for your needs.
The 10 best telescopes in the UK (November 2024)
The bestseller list compares telescopes from multiple brands
- Portability: Lightweight aluminum structure; easy to transport.
- Magnification: H20mm, H6mm eyepieces, 3X Barlow lens; versatile viewing.
- Optics: High-quality glass, 70mm aperture; clear, detailed images.
- Accessories: Includes eyepieces, finder scope for versatile observing.
- Gimbal: Rough adjustment gimbal provides precise positioning and targeting.
- Aperture: 80mm aperture ensures brighter, clearer celestial views.
- Portability: Comes with a bonus bag and tripod for easy transportation.
- Eyepieces: Includes two powerful eyepieces for detailed, up-close viewing.
- Optics: High-quality, fully-coated glass optics for excellent image clarity.
- Portability: Compact, lightweight design perfect for adults and kids.
- Installation: Quick and easy setup suitable for beginners and children.
- Resolution: Delivers high-definition images with professional green film lens.
- Controls: Manual altazimuth mount with dual-axis slow-motion controls for precise tracking.
- Technology: Smartphone-based StarSense sky recognition technology for easy star pattern analysis.
- Optics: 102mm refractor with high transmission XLT optical coatings.
- Portability: Quick setup, travel-friendly with a phone adapter for convenient astrophotography.
- Magnification: Two eyepieces (K20mm, K9mm) offer 20x and 44x variable magnification options.
- Optics: 400mm focal length, 70mm aperture, fully multi-coated lenses ensure clear and bright views.
- Viewfinder: Upgraded viewfinder and compass for precise positioning.
- Operation: Easy to operate with clear instructions, no extra tools needed.
- Aperture: Large aperture enhances image brightness and clarity.
- Portability: Easy assembly and breakdown for convenient transportation and setup.
- Automation: Fully-automated GoTo mount simplifies locating 40,000+ celestial objects.
- Aperture: Larger aperture means clearer, more detailed views of celestial objects.
- Convenience: Quick no-tool setup and accessory tray for easy use.
- Versatility: Erect image optics for both terrestrial and astronomical viewing.
- Clarity: Fully coated optics for brighter, clearer images.
- Usability: Pre-assembled, tool-free setup for easy transportation and assembly.
- Stability: Adjustable steel tripod ensures steady images with solid locking.
- Optics: 70mm HD lens offers clear, crisp images with 700mm focal length.
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- Read the definitive telescope buying guide
- View the telescope picks and see how they rank in the top list
telescope buying guide
Do you want to buy a good telescope? This is all you need to know.
A short explanation: What are telescopes?
A telescope is an optical instrument used to view distant objects, making them appear closer and larger. While designs vary, it consists of a length of tube with a lens at each end, where the tube is pointed towards the object you want to see and the eyepiece lens brings that object into focus for viewing. There are also two basic types of telescopes: Refractors, which use lenses to produce an image, and Reflectors, which use mirrors.
What are the benefits of good telescopes?
Telescopes are most commonly used for viewing objects in space, allowing you to see planets, moons, stars, and various other celestial objects. People have an innate fascination with space and a desire to learn more about it, so it’s no surprise that many individuals own a telescope. Beyond viewing space, a good telescope can also be used for viewing long-distance objects here on Earth. While binoculars are much more suitable for this task, you can see some objects in impressive detail when looking through a telescope.
How to choose the best telescope in 2024?
Choosing the best telescope for you will likely depend on a few things. After all, stargazing is a complex hobby, so it helps to have the best telescope to suit your needs:
- Aperture: The aperture of a telescope refers to the size of the mirror or lens inside. This is perhaps the most important thing to look out for when choosing a new telescope because a higher aperture allows you to see more detail and offers better overall performance. For instance, a telescope with an 8-inch aperture is a much better telescope for serious astronomers than a telescope with a 2-inch aperture.
- Focal Length & Speed: Telescopes come with either a camera or eyepiece for viewing celestial bodies. Should it have a camera, you will have focal length and speed to consider, whereas telescopes that use eyepieces come with different focal lengths. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, and will only impact your view rather than overall performance, so it’s more of a personal choice. For example, a telescope with high focal length offers a more zoomed in view, while a lower focal length provides a wider field of view.
- Portability: The best telescopes don’t necessarily have to be massive devices that are permanently in one location. In fact, some of best telescopes for viewing the moon and nearby stars are compact devices. Thanks to advancements in technology, many telescopes are smaller and lightweight, making them perfect for either viewing from your backyard or for taking on location.
Which types of telescopes are available to buy in the UK?
Telescope is a device that is used to observe remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation such as light and bringing to a focus. There are several types of telescope designed for various functions, so if you want to buy a telescope but you are new to that, just take your time to choose the best type for your needs.
- Refracting Telescopes: This telescope is best for viewing planetary, lunar, and binary star observing. Here, a glass lens is used to focus the light to the eyepiece. It is great for terrestrial viewing and it gathers more light due to the lens at the front.
- Reflecting Telescopes: This telescope uses a single or combination of curved mirrors that reflect light and form an image at the eyepiece. Most of its part is open cylinders, and it doesn’t suffer from chromatic aberration. It’s the best for viewing the fainter objects, and that’s why it’s popular among many users.
- Portable Telescopes: This telescope can either be refracting or reflecting but is mounted on a single portable stand. It’s lightweight and small, making it ideal for traveling and other terrestrial viewing.