Buying your first telescope is a big step, especially if you’re not sure what all those terms mean. So, to help you understand what to look for in a quality telescope,

Answer 11 of the most-asked questions. 

 1) I know telescopes make things appear bigger, but what exactly do they do?

A telescope’s purpose is to collect light. This property lets you observe objects much fainter than you can see with your eyes alone. Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei said it best when he declared that his telescopes “revealed the invisible.

2) Will my telescope be complete, or will I need additional items to make it work?

Most Celestron telescopes are complete systems, ready for the sky as soon as you unpack and assemble them. A few models are “optical-tube assembly only.” This means all you’re buying is the optics in the tube with no tripod or accessories.

3) I’m interested in observing. What should I do first?

Learn all you can about telescopes: what types are available, the best accessories, and what you’ll see through them. This publication is a good start because you’ll see a wide range of options

4) Should I buy binoculars before I buy a telescope?

No. The view through binoculars — especially near a city — won’t be what you expect. They are, however, a valuable accessory at a dark site. Star clusters look great through them, as do the Milky Way, meteor trails, and the Moon. 

5) Why are objects through my telescope upside-down?

Because of the way a telescope focuses light, the top of what you’re looking at is at the bottom as it enters the eyepiece, and vice-versa. You can re-flip the image with an accessory called an “image erector,” but you’ll lose a bit of the object’s light. And for faint sky objects, you want the maximum amount of light possible to reach your eye. Besides, there’s no up or down in space, and with most objects, you won’t even know they’re upside-down. 

6)Can I use my telescope for views of earthly objects?

Absolutely! Many nighttime observers (usually those with smaller telescopes) also use their telescopes for bird-watching or other daytime nature-watching activities

7) Is there a way for me to  “test-drive” a telescope?

Yes. Look in your area for an astronomy club and visit one of its meetings, which usually occur monthly. There, you’ll find others who enjoy the hobby and are willing to share information and views through their telescopes. 

8) Apart from quality optics, what’s the most important thing in a telescope system?

The mount, which is what the telescope’s tube sits on. You can buy the finest optics on the planet, but if you put them on a low-quality mount, you won’t be happy with your system. No telescope can function in high winds, but a poor mount will transfer vibrations even in a light breeze. So, be sure your scope sits on a high-quality mount.

9) Is a “go-to” scope better than one without go-to?

Yes. A go-to telescope is one with a motor or motors controlled by a built-in computer. Once set up for an evening’s observing, a go-to scope will save you lots of time by moving to any sky object you select and then tracking it. Even experienced observers prefer go-to scopes because they leave more time to observe the sky.

10) If I use my telescope outside, does it need electricity?

Only if it has a motorized drive. In most cases, telescope drives use direct current, which means you can use batteries (including the one in your car). Adapters available from the manufacturer will let you plug your scope into an electrical outlet.

11) What’s  the best telescope for me?

It’s the one you’ll use the most. If it takes an hour to set up a scope, or if your scope is large, heavy, and difficult to move, you might observe only a handful of times each year. If on the other hand, your scope is quick to set up, you may use it several times each week. A small telescope that’s used a lot beats a big scope collecting dust in a closet every time.