When purchasing a telescope, there are various aspects to keep in mind, including aperture and magnification, telescope mount, portability, and price.
Intermediate astronomers should select an easy telescope they can afford that provides great views of planets or deep-sky objects like stars. Dobsonian telescopes are often recommended because of their straightforward setup that offers stunning views of the Moon, planets, and some deep-sky objects.
If you want to skip the reviews, we say get the Celestron – NexStar 4SE.
Best Telescope For Intermediate Astronomers Reviews
Celestron – NexStar 4SE Telescope
- NEXSTAR 4SE COMPUTERIZED TELESCOPE: Celestron’s iconic orange tube telescope combines 4"...
- 4-INCH APERTURE MAKSUTOV-CASSEGRAIN TELESCOPE: 4-inch primary mirror packs enough light-gathering ability...
- FULLY-AUTOMATED GOTO MOUNT: With a database of 40,000+ celestial objects, NexStar SE's GoTo mount locates...
- EASY TO SET UP & USE: Assembling the telescope takes just a few minutes.Once you're set up, built-in...
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in...
The Celestron NexStar 4SE telescope is an extremely popular choice among both beginning astronomers and intermediate ones, thanks to its ease of use and amazing value for money.
Furthermore, this telescope boasts features you won’t find elsewhere at its price point such as satellite alignment technology or GPS navigation capabilities.
This telescope boasts a 4-inch aperture and Maksutov-Cassegragra mirror, enabling it to capture enough light for viewing many Solar System objects – such as Jupiter’s Great Red Spot or Saturn’s rings in high detail – as well as stunning images of star clusters or nebulae with its StarBright XLT optical coatings.
Due to its long focal length and f/13 focal ratio, however, the 4SE’s field of view is restricted to about 1.2 degrees (about 2.5 full moons across). This is somewhat lower than some similar telescopes such as Orion StarBlast or Zhumell Z114 which can achieve up to 3.6 and nearly quadruple that size respectively.
NexStar 4SE does not have the capacity to see all 40,000+ objects in its database as easily as some higher-end models like 5SE due to the lower light-gathering abilities of its smaller optical tube and its status as an altazimuth telescope (meaning it only moves vertically and left/right).
The Celestron NexStar 4SE telescope comes equipped with hand controls and SkyAlign technology, making it simple and straightforward for beginners to align the telescope and locate objects in the sky.
This saves both time and frustration for newcomers! Furthermore, the NexStar 4SE features built-in compatibility for GPS modules which can make its fully polar aligned and capable of finding celestial bodies anywhere.
NexStar 4SE also boasts an exceptional single fork arm design which makes it portable – ideal for traveling, camping, or taking along on hikes and road trips.
Celestron Astro Fi 102 Wi-Fi Maksutov
- 102 millimeter Maksutov Cassegrain with fully coated glass optics
- Control your telescope via integrated WiFi using the free Celestron SkyPortal app for iPhone, iPad, and...
- Observe in no time with a quick and easy, no tool setup
- Accessories include: two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), star diagonal, finderscope, and a NEW integrated...
- Adjustable height tripod includes an accessory tray
With this model, you’ll gain access to a 102mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope and computerized mount.
These can both be controlled via the free Celestron SkyPortal app on a smartphone or tablet using WiFi to establish wireless communication between mobile devices and the telescope – replacing traditional hand control and hand cable usage altogether!
Just hold your device against the night sky while selecting from among thousands of objects from SkyPortal’s huge database which automatically centers in the telescope eyepiece. Plus enjoy the audio description for an engaging astronomical experience!
Astro Fi’s SkyAlign technology makes getting started easy and straightforward; simply select three bright objects in the sky, and your telescope will calculate their positions before slewing towards them to display data about each on your screen so you can identify it easily.
Perfect for beginners or kids! You can even create your own Sky Tour; a customizable guide of what is currently visible in the night sky near your location.
Astro Fi offers more than its name implies with features like its integrated smartphone holder that features elastic straps built into its lens cap and red dot finderscope for alignment star detection during setup.
Although these may seem like extras, these unique extras actually prove quite helpful for people who frequently put down their phones between uses or are easily distracted from where they left them.
As with the other models we’ve reviewed, the Astro Fi features impressive optics and can be used for observing planets, moons, and deep space objects such as Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings as well as stunning Orion Nebula images.
Plus its wide-field imaging capability makes this telescope perfect for taking stunning astrophotographs! With such an affordable price point available now, the Astro Fi is an excellent way to enter astronomy or upgrade from basic telescope models.
Celestron – AstroMaster 130EQ
- Model Number: 31045
- Objective Lens: 130 Millimeters
- Weight: 24 Pounds
The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ is a Newtonian telescope featuring an ED lens for crisp, clear images.
Perfect for beginners starting out in astronomy as well as more experienced users looking for telescopes capable of exploring deeper space objects, it comes equipped with its own motor drive so users can effortlessly view objects without manually making adjustments – plus there is also an alignment scope included so you can quickly locate your position in the night sky!
The Celestron 130EQ comes complete with two 1.25″ eyepieces, a red dot finderscope, a pre-assembled tripod, and an accessory tray to keep all of your accessories organized.
It mounts onto a German equatorial mount – not the most heavy-duty but suitable for this telescope type – that works very well; making manual adjustments as the Earth rotates can become tedious for manual adjustment of this kind, so having this 130EQ mount in place is certainly appreciated.
This telescope is ideal for beginners as its setup and usage are both straightforward. The lightweight optical tube assembly (OTA) folds down for convenient transport while its simple EQ mount has slow-motion controls to precisely move your OTA, perfect for viewing moving objects such as planets or star clusters in the night sky.
Starry Night Astronomy Software is another added bonus, as this program enables you to easily create lists of celestial objects and print printable sky maps. Plus, its database has over 10,000 objects with information available about them!
You can upgrade this telescope with additional lenses such as Barlow lenses for enhanced imaging; plus there is also a limited 2-year warranty!
Celestron has built its reputation over the years as a trusted expert in telescope manufacturing – their affordable AstroMaster series telescopes have proven popular with both newcomers to stargazing as well experienced professionals alike!
Plus there’s sure to be one suitable for whatever your particular requirements may be!
Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor
- Easiest setup of any entry level scope. With the folding accessory tray you just pop the tripod legs...
- Bold new design - The main telescope lens cap comes with a fully integrated smartphone adapter built-in,...
- Red LED flashlight - Stowed in the center of the mount head, the flashlight can be used to gently...
- Focus micrometer - Allows quick return to a specific focus point for specific targets (bird nests,...
The Inspire 100AZ telescope combines premium components and quality material at an exceptional value point, offering a large aperture, 660mm focal length, and an f/6.5 focal ratio – perfect for beginners or intermediate users looking to observe the moon, planets of our solar system and some Deep Sky Objects (DSOs).
Furthermore, it comes equipped with two eyepieces, a 90deg erect image diagonal, and a smartphone adapter along with StarPointer Pro red dot finderscope as well as a control cable for use during night observations.
The Celestron Inspire 100AZ is an inexpensive yet adequate aperture beginner telescope. With its short focal length and fast focal ratio, this telescope is ideal for viewing the Moon, solar system planets, as well as some bright deep sky objects.
Additionally, its fully coated achromatic doublet lens can produce clear images of faint stars and some nebulae; however, it may suffer from chromatic aberration which causes an obnoxious purple halo around bright targets; some people will spend thousands to avoid this problem; but for most purposes, the Inspire 100AZ’s optics will suffice.
Celestron has included two standard interchangeable 1.25″ eyepieces with their Inspire 100AZ telescope: a 20mm Plossl for 33x magnification and a 10mm Plossl for 66x magnification.
Although these eyepieces are fairly good, they will not give you the best view of the Moon or planets due to moderately wide viewing fields limited by aperture size – to maximize your experience using astrophotography with this telescope, more sophisticated eyepieces may be necessary.
As with many entry-level telescopes, the Inspire 100AZ excels when used to observe DSOs such as Saturn’s rings and Cassini Division within them as well as some cloud bands on Saturn itself.
At low power you may also spot some of Jupiter’s moons including Titan, Rhea, Tethys, and Dione; it may take longer for smaller moons such as Iapetus and Enceladus from Saturn to be visible though.
Orion 9534 ED80T CF Triplet Apochromatic
- Versatile triplet apochromatic refractor telescope featuring ED (extra-low dispersion) glass for...
- Fast f/6 focal ratio and 80mm aperture refractor excels in both visual and astrophotography applications
- Lightweight yet strong carbon fiber tube optical tube assembly construction makes this a great telescope...
- Wonderful telescope for astrophotography thanks to its small size and weight coupled with great...
- Includes robust dual-speed (11:1) 2" Crayford focuser, 2"-to-1.25" stepdown adapter, dovetail finder...
Orion 9534 ED80T CF Triplet Apochromatic telescopes offer intermediate users an excellent value in high-quality refracting telescopes, thanks to their f/6 aperture and 480mm focal length – providing sufficient light to see most bright objects while the apochromatic design eliminates chromatic aberration, providing remarkable color correction, as well as eliminating chromatic aberration altogether.
These features make the ED80T an excellent option for viewing the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects alike.
The ED80T telescope features a carbon fiber refractor tube made of lightweight carbon, making it effortless to transport and mount with just two people needed for setup.
Furthermore, this telescope includes a retractable dew shield to help avoid glare as well as dual-speed Crayford focusers that produce sharp wild field images with 11:1 ratio focus knobs to quickly achieve pinpoint focus.
ED80Ts are great for visual observing or astrophotography purposes when combined with computerized German equatorial mounts equipped with Losmandy or Vixen-style dovetail plates attached with dovetail plates such as Losmandy or Vixen-style dovetail plates.
The ED80 telescope is an exceptional instrument for viewing the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects with ease.
Additionally, this affordable yet versatile instrument can also be used for planetary imaging – however, for maximum effectiveness, a 3x Barlow lens and a good camera setup may be needed.
Mercury and Venus’s phases can easily be seen; Jupiter’s four Galilean moons and Great Red Spot as well as Saturn’s rings and Cassini Division as well as some surface details on Uranus and Neptune are within easy reach with optimal conditions – making this affordable yet versatile telescope an impressive tool suitable for novice amateurs as well as advanced amateurs alike!
Celestron – 114LCM Newtonian Telescope
- COMPUTERIZED AUTOMATIC TELESCOPE: The Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope with all glass...
- TAKE THE SKY TOUR: If you’re not sure of what to observe, the Sky Tour button will do the work for you....
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED: The Celestron LCM telescope comes with everything you need for stargazing, including...
- BONUS FREE STARRY NIGHT SOFTWARE: This Celestron 114LCM Computerized Telescope includes a FREE download...
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in...
The Celestron 114LCM Newtonian telescope is an ideal option for novice astronomers. With its compact and user-friendly design, setting up and stargazing are made easy.
Plus, everything needed for stargazing – eyepieces and tripod – comes included! Additionally, this telescope boasts excellent optical quality with a large aperture of 114mm that offers magnification up to 269x – making this perfect for viewing planets and bright deep-sky objects!
This telescope is ideal for astrophotography, and its compact size makes it easy to transport.
Featuring a sturdy tripod with a built-in battery compartment to prevent cord wrap during transportation, the SkyPortal Wi-Fi module and NexRemote software let you control it with your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet; additionally, it’s expandable and compatible with various Celestron accessories.
This telescope boasts a smaller aperture than most models in this price range but still delivers great imaging for solar system objects and deep sky objects alike.
Thanks to its refractor design, this scope can also see some of the brightest deep-sky objects. Equipped with 25mm and 9mm eyepieces with magnification powers of 36x and 78x respectively – plus it comes equipped with its own StarPointer finderscope!
In addition to its superior optics, the 114LCM offers several great features. Its computerized GoTo mount with high-performance brass worm gears and motors helps smooth tracking of objects across the night sky.
Furthermore, this telescope boasts an inbuilt 10-hour lithium iron phosphate battery – one of the safest and most reliable power sources available – for the safe powering of the telescope.
The Celestron 114LCM telescope is an excellent way for novice astronomers to begin stargazing on a budget.
Featuring a compact design and impressive light-gathering capability, its compact form is great for viewing the moon and planets with ease; plus its f/10 focal ratio allows photographers to take high-quality images of deep sky objects such as galaxies.
Unfortunately, it won’t resolve their details well when looking at nebulae or galaxy clusters though!
Vaonis Vespera
- Perfect Combination: The Vaonis Vespera Observation Station is a perfect combination of telescope and...
- Observe: Explore the night sky wherever you are in the middle of the wilderness or the coziness of your...
- Capture: Vespera integrates the technology allowing you to observe and shoot deep-sky objects...
- Calibrates Automatically: The Vespera Observation Station uses your mobile's GPS, star pattern...
- Easy to Use: It allows you to photograph the Cosmos at the touch of a button
The Vaonis Vespera smart telescope will amaze you with its performance. Combining star pattern recognition software, image live stacking technology, and an impressive app for amateur photographers to easily photograph deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.
Vespera can be easily set up within three minutes by almost any user, calibrated using its GPS feature, and pointed at one of a list of recommended targets or something you input manually.
When Vespera locks onto its target it takes image after image to reduce noise; you can watch its progress live via the Singularity app to watch how it improves with each subsequent capture.
The Vespera offers incredible results that will amaze even experienced astrophotographers, yet will remain within the grasp of even casual observers.
While its images may impress both experienced astrophotographers and novice astronomers, its limited resolution may disappoint anyone searching for high-resolution, sharp-focus images of star clusters or nebulae.
But if you can locate an area with dark skies willing to use light pollution filters then it makes deep sky observation far simpler in urban areas than ever before!
If you want a smart telescope with more capabilities and higher resolution, consider Vaonis Stellina which produces narrower field-of-view images with 6.4-megapixel pixels, or the more affordable Unistellar eVscope 2 which has 7.7-megapixel sensors.
Personally, I found using Vespera raw files confusing; hopefully, Vaonis fixes this in future models.
The Vespera telescope is an outstanding piece of kit, ideal for beginner to intermediate astronomers who require excellent results at an accessible price point. Not only that but its light design also makes it highly portable compared to most astrophotography rigs on the market!
Gskyer Telescope
- Large Aperture: A great option for amateur astronomers who want to explore the night sky. With a focal...
- Quality Optics: The fully coated optics glass lens with high transmission coatings can help to reduce...
- Powerful Magnification: Comes with two replaceable eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens that can triple the...
- Wireless Remote: The 5x24 finder scope with mounting bracket and cross-hair lines can help to locate...
- Adjustable Tripod: This telescope allows for many different viewing positions with a adjustable aluminum...
This telescope is perfect for anyone wanting a closer look at celestial objects. Its large aperture captures more light, resulting in higher-quality images.
Furthermore, this telescope comes with various eyepieces so that the same object can be seen at various magnification levels; additionally, it comes equipped with remote control and auto guider for quick target location and set up in your backyard. Suitable for beginners as well.
The Gskyer Telescope is the ideal telescope for amateur astronomers seeking to maximize their viewing experience.
With its large aperture and variable focal length, this scope makes observing distant galaxies and nebulae easier than ever; plus its built-in auto guider and autofocus system allow for effortless photography of the moon, planets, and stars!
Beginners in astronomy might wonder whether their interest will continue long enough to justify investing in an expensive telescope, but there are many reasonably priced but high-quality beginner scopes that will offer incredible experiences while building a firm foundation for amateur astronomy hobbyists.
Small telescopes can offer an incredible viewing experience, but it is essential that users keep in mind they must use the telescope in a dark area in order to see all its details clearly.
Trees, buildings, and ambient lighting should all be avoided as much as possible while making sure your focus point is correctly directed before beginning to use it.
The best telescope for intermediate users allows them to take beautiful nighttime photographs.
Amateur astronomers typically favor telescopes that feature premium optics to capture every fine detail of distant objects and strong motors for automatic calibration; Meade Instruments’ telescopes on this list are known for producing top-quality astronomy equipment.
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