Telescopes are a great option for those who find themselves intrigued by the moon and stars. Capable of extreme magnification, these devices allow you to see the moon in all of its glory, complete with mountains and craters. Because of their ability to enhance deep space objects, these telescopes are highly preferred by both amateur and professional stargazers and moon enthusiasts alike.
Best Telescopes for Viewing The Moon
Here are our best telescopes for viewing the moon reviews.
1. Sky-Watcher ProED 80mm Doublet APO Refractor Telescope
This critically acclaimed telescope, from Sky Watcher, has been outfitted with all the features you need to get amazing views of the lunar surface.
- Dual-speed, Crayford-type focuser for sharp images
- Tube-ring attachment hardware for efficient scope mounting
- Comes with tripod and aluminum carrying case
2. Celestron – NexStar 4SE Telescope
This state-of-the-art telescope, from Celestron, is completely computerized, requiring very little human interaction. With its built-in 40,000-object database, you’ll be scanning the surface of the moon, hands free, in no time.
- StarPointer finder scope allows for effortless alignment and accurate locating
- Features StarBright XLT high transmission coating on optical opponents for vivid and bright images
- Simple setup and takedown, great for transportation
3. Orion 9024 AstroView 90mm Equatorial Refractor Telescope
Considering its low-price, this telescope is perfectly suitable for both beginners and seasoned hobbyists alike. Use this telescope to capture stunning views of the moon, deep space objects and planets.
- Fully illustrated instructions for quick and easy setup
- Includes the highly acclaimed, Starry Night Planetarium software
- Adjustable tripod and mount work together allowing for smooth tracking of celestial objects.
4. Celestron – PowerSeeker 70EQ Telescope
Built with beginners in mind, this easy-to-use telescope was built to give first-time telescope users the perfect combination of quality, value, features and power the market has to offer.
- Complete with a 2-year warranty
- Compact and portable, this telescope is great for camping under the stars
- Equatorial mount is great for slow-motion tracking
5. Gskyer Telescope, 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope
This telescope was built with beginners in mind. Easy-to-use for both adults and children alike, sit back and enjoy viewing the moon and any deep sky objects that happen to pass by.
- Comes with three replaceable eyepieces for strong magnification
- Adjustable aluminum tripod
- No tools required, perfect for any beginner
Telescopes for Viewing the Moon Buyer’s Guide
If you’ve been blindly searching the web for your first telescope to view the moon and stars, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed. With so many telescopes for so many different purposes, it’s natural that you’ll feel a little confused. Rest assured, our buyer’s guide is here to help you navigate the market and select the best telescope to suit your needs. Below are a few things to think about when making your purchase.
Types of telescopes
Two types of telescopes stand out from the rest when it comes to viewing the moon and planets. Keep an eye out for Newtonian and Dobsonian telescopes. Keep in mind that Dobsonains are some of the biggest and most expensive telescopes on the market and are not recommended for beginners. Newtonian telescopes are much more affordable and compact, making them perfect for simple moon viewing.
Magnification
Magnification is obviously important, but keep in mind, some telescopes (like Dobsonians) are built for viewing distant galaxies, requiring extreme levels of magnification, which also leads to them being highly expensive. As far as space is concerned, the moon is not that far away and therefore you can get away with lower magnification levels, which also saves you money.
Manual vs. automatic
Computer controlled models are great for beginners as the software does the locating and focusing for you; however, this technology is not cheap. Remember, computerized technology is also not necessary when searching for the moon, simply look up, point and aim.
Size
These telescopes can vastly vary in size and weight, from small and compact to massive and stationary. Think about how you plan on using your telescope: do you plan on travelling to dark sky locations? If so, a compact model that will fit into a hiking bag would be a good choice; do you live in the country, away from city lights and light pollution? Then perhaps a large, sturdy model would suffice. Consider this before making your final decision.
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