We have a list of the best telescopes for kids in this handy guide. You won't have to spend a lot of money to get your hands on them, as it's possible to find a perfect instrument for less than $100. It is possible to take on camping trips with options that are robust and portable. If you read below, you'll see that a lot of the best telescopes for kids are easy to set up and are ready to use.
It's a telescope glossary.
Aperture: Diameter of the primary mirror or lens, which allows a telescope to collect light.
Field of view: Area of sky visible through the eyepiece.
Focal length: A telescope's tube length. Short focal lengths offer a wide field of view and a small image.
Focal ratio: Also known as the telescope's speed. Small focal ratios provide lower magnifications, wide field of view and a brighter image.
Magnification: Relationship between the telescope's optical system and the eyepiece.
There are a few things we need to think about when looking for telescopes for kids. The first thing we need to do is to determine what kind of telescope our young astronomer wants to use. There are two forms of catadioptrics, one of which is called Maksutov-Casse grain.
A refractor is a great telescope for observing high magnification targets such as the moon. They are cheap and easy to use. A reflector is a better choice if you want to observe fainter objects. Catadioptric telescopes are great for viewing a wide range of objects and can be more user friendly.
If your young astronomer is just starting out, this extra cost may be too much. You can find some in the guide. Our recommendation is to stick to cheaper models because some children don't always like astronomy.
If you would like to spend a little more money or time looking at other telescopes, then you can always check out our best telescopes guide. If you want to see the night sky, check out some of the best binoculars, they are a cheaper alternative and still offer great views.
If you're just looking for the best telescopes for kids, or you're looking for one of the top telescope deals, read on.
It's easy to use and pack away, that's what we like about the FirstScope. Since it's already assembled out of the box, there's no need for it to be set up, which is great for impatient kids and parents who don't like to put a telescope in.
TheWeighing in at 4.5 lbs. is the FirstScope. The build is of good quality even at a low price. The instrument's plastic is not glossy or cheap when compared to other telescopes in the same price range.
Since the tube can be pushed to the desired target, the FirstScope is ideal for little hands. Two basic eyepieces and a basic edition of Starry Night astronomy software are included in the package. Young skywatchers want to learn more about the universe.
The FirstScope doesn't ship with a finderscope because there are no screws to attach it to the tube. A finderscope can be useful for a budding astronomer. Without this, there is a lot of trial and error to align the telescope with the chosen subject. Adding a red dot finder is one way to help young stargazers.
Skywatchers can pick out bright solar system targets, including the moon, Venus and Jupiter, thanks to the optical system's fast focal ratio of f/3.
When we looked at the moon, we discovered that the supplied eyepieces wouldn't give us close-up sights of targets. Despite a view that isn't pin-sharp due to a loose focuser, young skywatchers will be happy with what this telescope is able to offer.
Observers can pick out the moons of Jupiter using the FirstScope even though views are basic. It is difficult to find Jupiter's atmospheric bands and belts without using planetary filters. We were able to make out the gas giant's rings with a steady eye.
The Celestron FirstScope is ideal if you want a problem-free sky watching experience. To get the biggest bang for your buck, we recommend accessorizing with a finderscope, eyepieces that respect the optical limits of 180x and 11x and filters.
TheInspire 80AZ is a classic telescope that is easy to use. We recommend this instrument if you know a kid who is happy to spend hours under the night sky, learning their way around without the aid of technology.
Some mounts cause telescopes to jump from one positioning extreme to another, but we're pleased to discover that we can makeIncremental adjustments to the tube. Young observers need patience, so we recommend supervision to help them navigate with theInspire 80AZ.
A tripod, two eyepieces with focal lengths of 20mm and 10mm, a red flashlight, StarPointer Pro red-dot finderscope, and Celes are included in the Inspire 80AZ.
It's not perfect, but it's not a big deal for the price point. The view of planets and stars from the telescope was great. Some of Jupiter's belts can be seen. The ice giant is a faint star in the sky.
The optical system made short work of picking out starbirth at the center of the constellationMessier 42, while magnified pin-sharp views of the Hyades star cluster were visible through the optical system.
The Celestron Starry Night Basic Edition Software is on a CD, which makes theInspire 80AZ a touch "old-fashioned" compared to instruments that make use of downloaded apps. Skywatchers who are uncomfortable with using advanced technology will like it.
The range is available in lengths of 70 and 100mm. If you're looking for an instrument that's going to last a long time, the Inspire 80AZ is a good choice.
If you're in the U.K., you should try these alternatives.
Today's best deals are on the GoScope 80mm table top telescope.
The design of a reflector makes it a good first telescope for a low investment. More light is collected over most beginner instruments with less than 2.36 inches (60mm).
The solar system, lunar surface and a selection of bright deep-sky targets will be revealed by the 2.98 inch ( 76 millimeter) opening of the Orion Space Probe II. At 7.05 lbs., the person was weighing in. The SpaceProbe is a great grab-and-go telescope for kids because it's light enough to take on a camping trip or for quick observing in the backyard.
Since its optical tube assembly is made of steel, the Space Probe II doesn't suffer in quality. 10mm and 25mm Kellner eyepieces, red dot finder and a moon map are included in the package. Several packages come with an extra planiosphere, red flashlight and 2x Barlow lens if you want to spend a bit more. The setup gives magnifications of 28x and 70x, but there is a chance to magnification up to 152x with the right accessories.
The red dot finder in the SpaceProbe II makes star hopping easy even in the dark. The tripod legs need to be attached to the alt-azimuth mount in order to build the telescope.
The wide-field views of the SpaceProbe II make it ideal for more diffuse objects such as bright nebulas and star clusters.
Due to the telescope's spherical mirror, views are not pin-sharp but are sure to please young skywatchers who want to see craters on the moon. We recommend giving the telescope with additional eyepieces and filters for extra detail.
It's suited to skywatches that are 10 years of age or below and is suitable for the entire family. It would work well for people on a budget who are new to skywatching and don't know if it will be a long term hobby.
While young skywatchers will enjoy using the Astro Fi 90, this refractor is a great first instrument for teenagers who are looking for a step up. Astronomers can enjoy the latest in telescope technology with this.
The skywatcher is able to observe in no time at all with the quick and simple setup of the Astro Fi series. It's an all-inclusive package that includes everything that's needed for a successful night under the stars, along with the tripod and computerized alt-azimuth mount.
Skywatchers can use an optional hand control for slewing to chosen targets at the touch of a button on the Astro Fi 90. The phone is not included in the price of the telescope.
If you don't want to spend money on add-ons at this stage, the Astro Fi can be operated on a phone with a free download of the Celestron SkyPortal App.
A solid construction, this telescope is impressive because of the fully coated optics that give a clear view of the planets and the moon. The moon's craters and lunar mountains are some of the things that can be seen with this lens.
The better views of the brighter objects can be had, too, with a nice amount of detail. A small amount of color fringing can be seen around certain treasures, but this doesn't mean they're bad.
If you can't find the Astro Fi 90 in the U.K., try these alternatives.
The best deals on the Astro Fi Telescope can be found today.
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The StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector has a generous opening of 4.29 inches. The FunScope and FirstScope are similar to the StarBlast 4.5. Children who want to get straight to it and gifters who want their giftees to get going immediately are beneficiaries of this.
Explorer II 6mm and 17mm eyepieces, as well as a collimation cap, eyepiece rack, and Starry Night Special Edition software, are included with the StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector. Skywatchers can see 76x and 26x with the supplied accessories.
The StarBlast 4.5 is an excellent piece of kit for nurturing a young skywatcher's interest in the night sky, while sittinging the observing appetite of the entire family. The manual is comprehensive, but we think kids will find it easy to use without it.
At 13 lbs., the person was weighing in. Younger users will need help carrying the reflectors to the site. The StarBlast 4.5 is as easy to use as any other eyepiece. The red dot finderscope and optical tube assembly are easy to use. The mount supported the tube adequately and we didn't detect any stiffening in slewing from left to right or up and down.
The entire moon's disk can be seen with the supplied eyepieces. Even though it's not possible to get close to the craters, mare, rilles or lunar mountains using the included accessories, the Orion StarBlast 4.5 gives excellent contrast and clarity. The rack-and-pinion focuser was able to bring the lunar surface into focus for a beginner's instrument.
The views of the planets are fair, but small due to the field of view, while the rich starfields are a sight to behold. Purchase a Barlow lens with a selection of eyepieces to maximize the telescope's optical system.
The AstroMaster 70AZ is a good starter telescope for skywatchers who don't want to use a telescope at home. Some kids will need to be watched while using the AstroMaster.
The AstroMaster 70AZ comes with everything the skywatcher needs to start a rewarding hobby, including 10mm and 20mm eyepieces, an erect star diagonal, and a battery-operated red.
There is a database of 36,000 targets that can be explored with a download of Starry Night Basic. Whether it's a passing phase or a lifelong passion, this refractor is a great option that doesn't cost a fortune.
There are more plastic features on the AstroMaster 70AZ than we would like, but given the low cost and good build, the telescope will last for many observation sessions to come. It will be able to survive a few knocks, but be careful not to give it to kids who won't respect the delicate instruments.
The steel tripod can be adjusted to suit a majority of heights for a comfortable observing experience, while the optical tube assembly provides good magnified views of the solar system, star clusters and bright naked- eye nebulas.
We were pleased to find that the alt-azimuth control operated smoothly during our handling. The pan handle tightens when the time comes to lock onto a target. Young skywatchers can take in the views without having to constantly adjust their positioning.
We were able to see the moon, Jupiter and Venus. We were able to see the moon craters, the Jovian moons, a hint of Jupiter's cloud bands, and a Venusian phase in clear view. There's a certain amount of color fringing in entry-level telescopes, but it doesn't stop us from observing.
The telescope's useful magnifications of 10x and 165x make it possible to push that touch further without compromising the image quality. If you want your young skywatcher to see more of the universe, you should invest in a selection of eyepieces.
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