Are you in search of the best telescope for astrophotography that is capable of taking sharp, bright and clear photos of planets, stars, the Moon or other space objects? If you fancy to capture the magnificence of the universe, check out these 10 best telescopes for astrophotography to put the galaxy exploration to the next level.
What Is the Best Telescope for Astrophotography?
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It is rather painstaking to take high-quality astrophotography. For the first time You should spend a lot of time while taking photos and editing them. So, it is necessary to pick up the best type of telescope for astrophotography. With the help of my review of 10 best telescopes for astrophotography, you will choose the best gear to capture stunning objects in outer space.
Best Telescopes for Astrophotography in 2024:
1. Celestron NexStar 130SLT
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This model is great for amateur astrophotography. It has the automatic technology of tracking different celestial bodies. Thanks to the built-in components of the device, it is possible to remotely control it just using a personal computer.
- Read more about the best backpacking tripod for astrophotography.
The combination of large lens speed and a shorter focal length transferred into high-speed f/5 value makes Celestron NexStar 130SLT ideal for wide-field astrophotography or for creating detailed views of deep-sky objects. The best telescope for astrophotography includes the reflector technology which uses mirrors to get as much light as possible. Consequently, you can take clear pictures, even when the objects are located in deep space.
2. Orion ED80T CF
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If you are an upper-intermediate astronomer, this universal triplet apochromatic refractor telescope is just what you are looking for. It works well in the daytime and it is really amazing at night. This model provides the best aberration-free pictures.
- Check out these budget tripods.
The apochromatic lens provides excellent, clear and high contrast pictures. It is quite user-friendly and transportable. Furthermore, this model is suitable for both beginners and experienced astrophotography lovers.
3. Celestron NexStar 8 SE
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Firstly, it is necessary to direct the device to the star, then you need to defocus it and regulate the three small screws on the additional mirror until everything is aligned. It is much easier to swap the screws with thumbscrews, but in this case, the telescope may be miscollimated.
- Choose one of these rangefinder cameras for taking night photos.
With this telescope for deep space astrophotography, it is possible to observe the Moon, planets as well as such deep space objects as the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy. The exposure time should be no more than twenty or thirty seconds. If you kept it longer, the alt-azimuth mount field spinning and slight tracking inaccuracies would make your pictures blurred.
4. Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Edition
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The scope features good metal objective lens cover that doesn’t slip off. There are instruments for the elimination of chromatic aberration and high contrast, which makes it possible to produce sharp images with excellent color.
- Check out these best full frame cameras.
Using this outstanding telescope for astrophotography I managed to capture the Orion Nebula. I used ultra-fast 2″ focuser and received accurate images. At f/6, I was thrilled with the amount of light I could capture using a 3-minute exposure with an average 80mm lens. When you try 480mm focal length, you will see how easy it is to capture large, wide-field images of different objects in outer space.
5. Orion SpaceProbe 130ST
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It features 130 mm parabolic primary mirror which makes it possible to observe deep-sky celestial bodies. Moreover, the model comprises the precise and stout EQ-2 mount and stable tripod. The EQ-2 equatorial mount has dual setting circles and slow-motion manual control. This good telescope for astrophotography features f/5 focal ratio, that provides a heavy-duty wide-field performance. If you are a kind of astronomer who prefers stargazing on the backyard, SpaceProbe 130ST is a perfect choice.
6. Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT
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This is the most powerful telescope you can buy. It has awesome features such as fast and easy alignment, built-in GPS, excellent optical quality, simple setting up, ergonomic design as well as improved computerization. The altazimuth mount is fully computerized which allows tracking with total accuracy.
- View more about the best cameras for astrophotography.
With this telescope, your space adventures will never be the same. There are about 40,000 celestial objects in the databank, so you can easily reach to the necessary star or planet. All you need is to choose the object from the catalog and the telescope will show it.
7. Celestron Advanced VX 8" SCT
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This astrophotography telescope was designed specifically for those stargazers, who have at least some experience. It boasts of the combination of a parabolic main mirror with impressive capacity to assemble light. The mirror’s design makes it possible to minimize distortions of the objects viewed, which appear because of the distortion of light when it goes through the mirror edges.
If you are in a search of the best telescope under 2000, I highly recommend this model with its user-friendly design, intuitive features, reduced spherical aberration, efficient optics and small dimensions.
8. Sky-Watcher ProED 80mm Doublet APO
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This telescope for astrophotography was created with respect to wishes and demands of users interested in astronomy. The manufacturer decided not to compromise on image quality, contrast and color rendition, and charge an unexpectedly reasonable price for such an extensive functionality.
Typically, plenty of achromatic telescopes produce visible chromatic aberrations. In Sky-Watcher, they are fully neutralized. The model is definitely one of the best telescopes for astrophotography because of its extra-low dispersion (ED) grade-A glass doublet. It gives you an opportunity to achieve more true-to-life imagery with fantastic color correction.
9. Meade Instruments 216003 Polaris 90 EQ
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It is the best type of telescope for astrophotography if you only start exploring the world of astronomy. The model has a large steady equatorial mount with slow motion controls which simplify the tracking of moving astronomical objects. In addition, you receive 3 eyepieces offering low (6.3mm), medium (9mm) and high-powered (26mm) magnification. This particular feature enables you to see even planets, land and Moon.
Purchasing this telescope for beginners, you will be able to watch the AutoStar Suite Astronomy Planetarium DVD (for Windows PC). It features more than 10,000 astronomical objects and you may even print out star charts.
10. Celestron 31042 AstroMaster 114 EQ
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In case you are only at the starting point of the stargazing process, it will be the best telescope for astrophotography. The peculiar features of this model are really affordable price along with intuitive usage and setting up. The telescope is designed specifically for viewing a bright, clear image of the Moon and other planets. It features a tripod with 1.25-inch tube legs made of steel. This construction serves as reliable support for the scope.
Top 10 Best Telescopes for Astrophotography
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Celestron NexStar 130SLT
OUR CHOICE |
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Orion ED80T CF
|
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Celestron NexStar 8 SE
|
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Explore Scientific ED80 Essential Edition
|
Check PRICE → | |
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Orion SpaceProbe 130ST
|
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Celestron CPC 1100 StarBright XLT
PROFESSIONAL |
Check PRICE → | |
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Celestron Advanced VX 8" SCT
|
Check PRICE → | |
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Sky-Watcher ProED 80mm Doublet APO
|
Check PRICE → | |
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Meade Instruments 216003 Polaris 90 EQ Telescope
CHEAPEST |
Check PRICE → | |
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Celestron 31042 AstroMaster 114 EQ
FOR BEGINNERS |
Check PRICE → |
How to Choose a Telescope?
If you believe that choosing a decent telescope for astrophotography is pretty simple, unfortunately, you are wrong. Actually, every part of this device is important and affects the process and results of both stargazing and shooting. Hopefully, the information presented below would help you save money and remain satisfied with your choice.
1. Type of Telescope
A reflecting telescope is often referred to as a reflector. It either combines curved mirrors or features one mirror, which make up a picture and reflect light.
An apochromatic refractor has an extra-low dispersion glass. This feature makes it possible to achieve impressively clear pictures with no chromatic aberrations. It is of small dimensions, light weight and is easily transported. The focusing isn’t problematic, the color correction is outstanding. Besides, it may quickly adapt to different temperatures.
2. Type of Imaging You Are Going to Do
Do you want to concentrate on the Moon or are you interested in the overall look of the sky? Are you aiming at deep-sky or wide-field imagery? Answer these questions and select the suitable focal length and aperture.
3. Field of View
The best telescope for astrophotography is capable of reaching a certain part of the sky. This parameter depends on the size of the chosen camera’s imaging chip and the focal length of the optics. Shorter focal length extends the part of the viewed sky while larger focal length diminishes this area because of the bigger magnifying ability. Consequently, bigger sensors offer wider field and smaller imaging chips narrow the field of view. Sensor size and focal length collaborate in order to specify the precise part of the sky that can be captured.
4. Manual Focusing
In case you have already tried shooting with telescopes at night, you have probably faced the difficulties with focusing. Autofocus doesn’t operate as effectively as you want, the infinity mark on the camera or lens isn’t really precise and the readout on the LCD is pretty dim. While you photograph astronomical objects or night scenes, manual focusing will come to the rescue and ensure that the focus is on point. Your telescope must have it.
5. Aperture
This parameter means the size of an opening in the telescope with the help of which the mirror or lens “gets” light. If the aperture is large, the device will be able to gather a sufficient amount of light to produce bright, full of details pictures. Depending on the aperture, you will observe either unclear or vivid stars through the scope.
6. Additional Equipment
If you want to be 100% satisfied with the achieved astrophotography, you must pick up appropriate telescope accessories.
Portable Case
A portable case is aimed at preventing the telescope from potential damage when traveling and transporting.
Tube Rings
They are regulated rings for the finder to make it optically suit. Highly recommended to place them to your bag to avoid unpleasant damages.
Dovetail Bar
An integrated dovetail or a dovetail bar is designed for mounting a telescope. It is needed to fasten additional gear.
Flattener
A field reducer/flattener is used to generate a flat area for shooting. A field flattener lens is used for countering the way the field-angle is dependent on the focal length of the telescope.
Finder Scope
A finder scope with brackets to observe and implement automatic guiding. A finder assists in locating the desired sky objects.
Diagonal
A diagonal helps align mount and observe stars or planets placed overhead. It is an inclined prism or mirror which enables you to view from a direction perpendicular to the typical eyepiece axis.
7. Mount
Purchasing a reliable mount should be one of the first things to do if you want to take up astrophotography. Actually, observing a celestial body in detail is impossible if your telescope isn’t stably fixed.
Always choose the “over-mounting” side, rather than under-mounting. You need to be sure that your mound won’t let you down, when you are trying to capture distant faint objects at long exposures.
I recommend having a closer look at a German Equatorial mount that can minimize field rotation while following the object through the night sky. Another option is an Altitude-Azimuth (Alt-Az) style mount, which has proven to be very helpful for lunar, planetary and solar photography.
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more
