Today anyone can become Astronomer thanks to the many advancements in the field of Astronomy. Now it is easier for everyone to get a telescope and enjoy the mysterious beauty of planets and stars. If you have an interest in deep space astronomy, then I present you with the Best Telescope for viewing Planets And Galaxies.
How can you look at the galaxy and not feel insignificant? ~ Ridley Scott
Indeed we are genuinely insignificant when compared to the universe, and that is what makes the universe so mysterious. For solving these mysteries, First, we need to unlock the mysterious world of galaxies. And here is where telescope comes. Now you can enjoy the beauty of galaxies, the awe-inspiring frosty glow of distant nebulae, watch the sky born, or watch the Saturn with all its beauty.
One of my very first questions when I first began my astronomy journey was: What is the best telescope for viewing planets and galaxies? See, I was also in your position, and as you know, without any knowledge, I had become very much confused about what to choose. Thankfully as I got more experience, My choices got narrower, and Now I can confidently tell which telescope you need to use and why.
Ok, Before we dive into our list, You might be thinking on what criteria I decided the best telescope for viewing planets and galaxies?
Quick Answer – One thing you must know that a telescope aperture is what decides how much light it can collect. See, the more the size of the aperture is, the more light it collects and the more brighter image you get. So if you are beginning out, You must make sure that the aperture size is at least more than 80-90 mm. This will at least help you in seeing Moon clearly and with proper adjustment, even the rings of Saturn. But it might be blurry, and viewing galaxies can be difficult.
If budget is not a concern, then we recommend going for models with 130mm+ aperture. If you are a newcomer, then go for an aperture of 90+, at least. There are many more criteria which we will see later. I hope now you got some idea of how we decided on our list. So let us move on to our list.
Best Telescope For Viewing Planets And Galaxies
Let’s look at the list.
1. Celestron Nexstar 8 SE
The Celestron NexStar 8SE is the fourth and last in the iconic orange tube NexStar SE Range. It is also the biggest telescope in this range. If you are very serious about seeing the planets and galaxies and want to explore the deep sky, Then this is perfect for you. It might cost you a bit, but the viewing experience and simplicity it provides is far more superior than other similar telescopes.
It has an 8-Inch Aperture that has excellent light-gathering capability. You get stunning views of the Moon and planets, along with deep sky phenomena such as the Whirlpool Galaxy and the Hercules Globular Cluster. One of the features that I liked about 8SE is the 8-inch primary mirror combined with its optimal focal length. With the help of this, its magnification power becomes 150-200X that enables you to view planets in great detail. You can clearly see Moon and other planets. And with the help of 200X magnification, You should be able to view other bright objects such as Galaxies and nebulae easily.
The NexStar 8SE is a computerized telescope that comes with a database of more than Forty Thousand objects. Just select any celestial object you want to see from the menu, and it will straight away point at it. It also features SkyAlign technology that aligns the telescope automatically, and it becomes ready in minutes. These whole advanced features make it very easy to use.
It comes with An altazimuth mount, which can be simply moved up and down or left and right, which enables you to point the scope to the sky without any effort. The major advantage of an altazimuth mount is that you don’t have to think about polar alignment. Your scope will be ready to use as soon as you mount it. This is a great telescope for both beginners and experts.
Pros:
- SkyAlign technology.
- Database of 40,000+ objects.
- Large, 8-inch aperture.
- StarPointer Finderscope.
Cons:
-
The scope comes with a single eyepiece.
2. Sky-Watcher 10″ Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope
If you ask any astronomer that what is the best telescope for viewing galaxies that won’t put a big hole in your pocket, Then most of them will answer to get a high aperture Dobsonian Telescope. This Skywatcher 10-inch aperture telescope is the one that will recommend. It does not cost much and has a big aperture that can help you to deep dive into the ocean of galaxies.
It got a 10-inch aperture, which is 254 mm. This means it has a way bigger aperture than most of the telescopes in the similar price range. This significantly increases the brightness and quality of the image you view. Due to its large aperture, More light comes through it, and you get a better view of celestial objects like planet or galaxy. One more thing I liked is that it has a focal length of 1200 millimeters. This helps in increasing its magnification power.
Many people prefer Dobsonian Telescopes as it is easy to collapse, and hence you can store it in compact places. Many high-quality telescopes are big in size and hence very hard to store if you got a small apartment. But with Skywatcher, You will not face this issue. It is also good for people who travel frequently.
I was very much impressed with the quality and performance of the Skywatcher. It also comes with 1.25″ and 2″ eyepiece adapter that significantly extends the focuser draw-tube. This helps in getting enough back focus for all types of eyepieces. Astigmatism is well handled, and coma is exactly what I would expect from an optical device f/4.7.
The Sky-Watcher Dobsonian SynScan telescope has integrated a proprietary dual encoder design that records the telescope’s location. Under Auto-Tracking Mode, you can choose to shift the telescope to any location, either manually or electronically, without deactivating the tracking feature. The well-honed SynScan software is bug-free and crash-free. It provides a strong range of targets like all the deep-sky objects in the catalogs Messier, Caldwell, NGC, and IC.
Overall, this is one of my favorite choices for a high-quality telescope that will give you some spectacular views.
Pros:
- Collapsible.
- 10-inch Aperture,
- SynScan software.
- Focal Length: 1200 mm.
Cons:
-
Not for beginners.
3. Celestron NexStar 6E
he 6SE is probably NexStar SE’s most famous model. The Celestron NexStar 6SE is the 6-inch model that can capture 44% more light than the previous 5-inch model. It comes with the famous 6-inch Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope by Celestron, which has an actual 150 millimeters aperture and a focal length of 1,500 millimeters. It has a focal ratio of f/10 that is universal for most of the SCTs model. Its OTA comes on a Vixen-style dovetail bar that can fit into the dovetail saddle on the mount.
The Mount is of altitude-azimuth single-arm fork-style. After full assembly, it weighs 12 lbs. One of this telescope’s standout features is its ease of use. After you unpack it from the box, you can install it within minutes. Additionally, the telescope comes fitted with some fantastic accessories that make working with them much more effective and enjoyable.
NexStar 6SE features a StarBright XLT lens coatings and is fully computerized. It has a database of 40,000+ celestial objects that helps in locating and viewing objects in the sky easily. It features a 25mm Plossl eyepiece. It is perfect and gives you a vast range of magnification power, based on your needs. You should anticipate a 60x magnification power at the lower end, and it rises to 450x + at the higher end.
One of the most important aspects and benefits of this telescope is SkyAlign technology. This helps you to automatically and with minimal effort, align it to the Sky. You just need to align it to the direction of three bright stars, and the rest will be handled by the advanced computer itself.
Having used this telescope for over a year, I was able to catch some excellent pictures of celestial bodies – including some of Saturn’s pretty amazing pictures.
Pros:
- 6 Inch Aperture.
- Database of 40,000+ Objects
- The single fork arm design and sturdy steel tripod.
- SkyAlign Technology.
Cons:
-
GPS accessories.
4. Zhumell Z12 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope
The next one on our list is Zhumell Z12 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope. It is another Dobsonian telescope that we have included our list. This Zhumell Z12 Dobsonian absorbs a tremendous amount of light for brilliant, razor-sharp images that are absolutely free of spherical aberration and other optical defects, which is possible Thanks to its gigantic 12 “parabolic primary mirror.
Each kit features two completely multi-coated optics eye-pieces, a 2 “30 mm eye-piece for wide-field viewing with lower magnification, and if you want a higher magnification, then you can use the 1.25” 9 mm eye-piece. It has a focal length of 1500 mm and a focal ratio of f/4.95 that is very “short.” This translates into stunning wide-field views of space, allowing galaxies and nebulae to be seen in all their splendor.
You will also enjoy the spectacular views of planets such as Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter. The close up of Moon with this telescope is simply jaw-dropping. You’ll also enjoy excellent views of planets such as Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, as well as detailed close-ups of the Moon. The sturdy, solid design ensures that your Zhumell could stand up to years of use during traveling, camping trips, and much more.
You’ll also appreciate the new adjustable azimuth bearing system, which allows tracking celestial objects easy while moving. While being a bit heavy at about 75 pounds, this telescope can be disassembled into two parts for transport. The Zhumell features a Laser Collimator that makes it much easier to match the mirrors of the telescope.
The sheer aperture of the Zhumell Z12 will allow you to see and do a lot, which a small scope simply cannot do. Overall, one of the Best Telescopes for viewing Planets and Galaxies.
Pros:
- 12 Inch Aperture.
- Cooling Fan.
- durable, sturdy construction.
- Included Laser Collimator.
Cons:
-
Bit large in size.
5. Celestron – NexStar 127SLT Computerized Telescope
Celestron encourages us to go higher beyond the 114 millimeters telescope, with 20 percent more light-gathering capacity. The telescope will easily detect the celestial objects and can monitor it. The 127SLT comes complete with a NexStar+ handheld control.
This computerized telescope has the ability to see the outlines of the lunar surface, Mars’ polar ice caps, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud belts, and a variety of Messier objects, such as the Hercules globular cluster (M13) or Orion’s Great Nebula (M42). You can also be able to view the fainter Messier objects with the extra light-gathering capabilities thanks to its 5-inch primary mirror. The groundbreaking NexStar Star Location Telescope (SLT) by Celestron has been the most popular amongst customers for many years due to its special combination of high-quality optics, an easy-to-use computerized interface, and a robust single fork arm mount.
Its control is fully computerized, and with the help of it, you can automatically view more than 40,000 objects in a sky by just clicking. The NexStar+ repository includes over 600 galaxies, 300 clusters, and many more. It also features the patented SkyAlign alignment technique makes it quicker and easier than ever to set up and use this computerized telescope. The NexStar 127SLT is suitable for outdoor weekend trips or excursions to places in the dark sky.
A lightweight form factor can be quickly transported and assembled anywhere around. They’re praised mainly for their outstanding near-focus capabilities. Because optics and light collection systems are more advanced than refractor or refractory systems, Catadioptric scopes are suitable for the detection of binary star systems or in the field of astrophotography. Maksutov-Cassegrain scopes have another advantage of being much more robust and lightweight than Newtonian scopes.
To conclude our analysis of the Celestron NexStar 127 SLT telescope, In terms of our Testing, this was the best Computerized mount telescope so far we have ever had the pleasure of trying out.
Pros:
- Primary Aperture.
- SkyAlign Technology.
- Lowest Useful Magnification.
- Starry Night Software.
Cons:
-
It Does not come with 8 AA Batteries.
6. Orion 10016 StarBlast 6 Astro Reflector Telescope
If you are searching for a compactly built broad aperture telescope, then we recommend Orion StarBlast 6 Astro Reflector Telescope. Offering one of the series’ largest apertures, it offers significantly good optics making it an enticing choice for both beginner and professional astronomers.
It packs a massive 6-inch (150 mm) primary aperture mirror in the optical tube that can fit into a tabletop mount. It has a Compact tabletop model that provides excellent grab-and-go portability to the StarBlast 6 reflector. The mount can rotate full 360 degrees, and effortlessly goes up and down. Also, it weighs only 23.5 lbs.
The optics can help in getting a good view of planets and asteroids, along with bright deep-sky objects like nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. The main parabolic mirror has a focal length of 750 millimetres, and an f/5 focal ratio.
An altitude tension knob will change the up and down movement tension or keep the optical tube in position. For improved portability, it sits at a compact size with built-in carrying functionality. Additionally, the scope features reflecting technology that uses mirrors to absorb the light and transmit it to the eyepiece. This technique allows for more precise images as light colors have less chance of distorting themselves when they move through the telescope.
The optical tube is attached to the tube ring’s mount. The tube rings will allow you to rotate the optical tube for finding the desired angle for the eyepiece. The StarBlast 6 is big enough for ground activity if you are mobile enough or confident doing so. The EZ Finder II is an optical tube-mounted red dot reflex sight that is used to find the celestial bodies you want to examine.
The StarBlast 6 is a powerful telescope for viewing deep-sky stars, planets, and moon. When you are not on a budget, and you need a standard beginner telescope, then it can be your obvious choice.
Pros:
- 6″ aperture.
- grab-and-go portability.
- 25mm and 10mm Sirius Plossl 1.25″ telescope eyepieces.
- EZ Finder II aiming device.
Cons:
-
need for a table.
7. Sky-Watcher ProED
The Skywatcher EvoStar 80Ed is an excellent telescope for the money. The 20 mm and 5 mm eyepieces provided are excellent for viewing the planet and galaxy. I was uncertain how well the scope would respond with the 5 millimeters eyepiece, but was genuinely surprised that the views were bright and crisp by this eyepiece.
I saw numerous galaxies, double stars, globular and open clusters, as well as the Moon, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Saturn on my first night with this telescope. It features a 9X50 RA finder, two 1.25” eyepieces that have a long eye relief of 20mm and 5mm. It also comes with mounting hardware with a Vixen-style dovetail plate.
The weight of the OTA is 11.3 lbs. This has been important because I mounted on an Astro-Tech Voyager alt-az mount that has 20 lbs of payload capacity. The ProED S11130 Sky-Watcher is a 120 mm f/7,5 Doublet APO Refractor.
It comes with a double apochromatic lens system equipped with additional-low dispersion (ED) glass and as well as Sky-Watcher exclusive Metallic high-transmission Coatings (MHC) anti-rejection photon on all optical surfaces from air to glass. The optical tube material is powder-coated, aluminum-reflective gloss black with gold-fleck highlights. The telescope contains a Crayford-style double speed focuser. The focuser is a model with a 2-inch diameter, which also includes a 1.25-inch adapter.
This telescope uses a unique mixture of glass, coatings, and lenses to virtually eliminate chromatic aberrations so that you get clear, bright images with accurate color rendering and high contrast. It is a refractor style system that focuses a large amount of light on the main pinhole disk and the first diffraction rings, with no secondary or diagonal diffraction pattern interference.
Designed for professional people, thanks to its dovetail cover, the Skywatcher Pro 120ED is interoperable with all types of mounts, but it works best with a motorized mount. Overall One of the Best Telescope For Viewing Planets And Galaxies.
Pros:
- Accurate in focus.
- 900 mm focal length (f/9).
- Alumanium case makes transport easy.
- High Quality.
Cons:
-
Focuser might slip sometimes due to heavy eyepieces.
8. Celestron SkyProdigy 130
The SkyProdigy telescope is built for people who want more time to observe and much less time to get installed. The telescopes of Celestron use an optimized imaging camera, including patented StarSense technology, to dynamically align themselves to get a clear view of the night sky and can get a precise actual pointing of planet and stars in the galaxy. This telescope can capture the images of the sky, and that can be analyzed internally to recognize stars in the picture.
In or less than 3 minutes, this telescope can scan the sky like fingerprints to its internal database only if you click on the Align button in the telescope. There are 4000+ celestial objects in its internal database. Click on the sky tour button if you want to see the best destinations based on your time zone and location. SkyProdigy has a main 5.1 “mirror with a strong focal ratio of f/5.
Require less exposure time for fast focal ratio, so most of the images can be captured for mounting and post-production layering. It is controlled by a hand controller and is mounted on an entirely single brace stand ere it can be easily moved, and it is supported with a sturdy stainless steel tripod.
The SkyProdigy 130 comes with two 1.25 “Kellner metal-housed eye parts: a 25 millimeters (26x) as well as a 9 diameter (72x) eye part. Overall One of the Best Telescope for Planets and Galaxies.
Pros:
- Fully Automatic Alignment Procedure.
- Computerized Altazimuth Mount.
- Quick-Release Fork Arm Mount.
- 30 Hours Battery.
Cons:
-
Software can be buggy sometimes.
Check Out This Video On Best Telescope For Viewing Planets
Thanks for Reading Our Review. Please do comment if you have any questions and we will be happy to answer them.