Best Telescopes for Backyard Astronomy
Backyard astronomy can be a rewarding hobby, whether you're observing planets, the moon, or distant star clusters. With the right telescope, your backyard can transform into your very own observatory.
In this review, we'll explore five excellent telescopes that are perfect for stargazing from the comfort of home. These telescopes offer a combination of portability, ease of use, and impressive optics, making them great for both beginners and experienced astronomers.
1. Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80ED Apo Refractor
Key Features
- Aperture: 80mm
- Focal Length: 600mm (f/7.5)
- Optical Design: Apochromatic refractor with ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) glass
- Mount: Sold separately (compatible with EQ and Alt-Az mounts)
- Best For: Planetary observation and wide-field astrophotography
The Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80ED is a high-quality apochromatic refractor that excels in delivering crisp, clear views of planets, the moon, and wide-field star clusters. With its ED glass, this telescope significantly reduces chromatic aberration, producing vibrant, color-accurate images of celestial objects. The 80mm aperture, though relatively small, is perfect for backyard astronomy and offers portability for easy setup.
Its f/7.5 focal ratio strikes a good balance between visual observation and wide-field astrophotography, making it versatile enough for different kinds of observations. However, because it doesn’t come with a mount, you’ll need to purchase a compatible mount separately, which gives you the flexibility to choose one based on your needs.
Pros:
- Excellent color correction and image clarity
- Lightweight and portable
- Ideal for both visual use and astrophotography
Cons:
- Requires a separate mount
- Limited aperture for deep-sky observations
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2. Explore FirstLight 102mm Doublet Refractor Telescope with Twilight I Mount
Key Features
- Aperture: 102mm
- Focal Length: 660mm (f/6.47)
- Optical Design: Air-spaced doublet refractor
- Mount: Twilight I Alt-Azimuth Mount
- Best For: Beginners and casual stargazing
The Explore FirstLight 102mm Doublet Refractor is an excellent choice for those new to backyard astronomy. The 102mm aperture gathers plenty of light for observing planets, star clusters, and even some brighter nebulae. The f/6.47 focal ratio provides a good field of view, which is especially useful for scanning the sky or observing larger celestial objects like the moon or the Andromeda Galaxy.
This telescope comes with the Twilight I Alt-Azimuth Mount, which makes it easy to manually adjust and track celestial objects. The mount’s smooth movement is perfect for casual backyard stargazing, allowing users to quickly point the telescope at different parts of the sky without the need for motors or complicated setup procedures.
Pros:
- Great light-gathering power for backyard astronomy
- Easy-to-use manual mount
- Wide field of view for observing large celestial objects
Cons:
- Not suitable for long-exposure astrophotography
- Manual tracking requires constant adjustment
3. Explore Scientific AR102 Air-Spaced Doublet Refractor
Key Features
- Aperture: 102mm
- Focal Length: 663mm (f/6.5)
- Optical Design: Air-spaced doublet refractor
- Mount: Sold separately
- Best For: Intermediate astronomers and planetary observation
The Explore Scientific AR102 offers impressive optical performance at an affordable price, making it an excellent telescope for intermediate astronomers who want to improve their backyard stargazing experience. The 102mm aperture provides bright and sharp views of the moon, planets, and star clusters. The air-spaced doublet lens design reduces chromatic aberration, though not as effectively as apochromatic models.
With its f/6.5 focal ratio, this telescope provides a wide field of view, making it ideal for scanning star fields or tracking fast-moving objects like satellites. The AR102 is also a good choice for beginners who want to start exploring astrophotography, though a more specialized mount would be needed for that purpose.
Pros:
- Excellent value for its price
- Great for both planetary observation and wide-field stargazing
- Portable and easy to set up
Cons:
- No mount included, requiring an additional purchase
- Not ideal for deep-sky astrophotography
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4. Explore FirstLight 80mm CF Telescope Go-To Tracker Combo with Solar Filter
Key Features
- Aperture: 80mm
- Focal Length: 640mm (f/8)
- Optical Design: Carbon fiber doublet refractor
- Mount: Go-To computerized tracking mount
- Best For: Automated tracking and solar observation
The Explore FirstLight 80mm CF Telescope Go-To Combo offers a combination of portability, automation, and versatility. The 80mm aperture is well-suited for planetary and lunar viewing, but what sets this telescope apart is its Go-To computerized mount, which automatically tracks celestial objects once aligned. This feature makes it an excellent choice for beginners who want to focus more on observing rather than manual tracking.
Additionally, this telescope includes a solar filter, allowing for safe solar viewing. This makes it a versatile tool for both nighttime stargazing and daytime solar observation, offering an all-in-one solution for amateur astronomers.
Pros:
- Go-To mount simplifies tracking celestial objects
- Includes a solar filter for safe solar viewing
- Lightweight and portable with a carbon fiber build
Cons:
- Smaller aperture limits deep-sky performance
- Battery-powered Go-To mount may need frequent recharging
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5. Explore FirstLight 80mm Refractor Telescope with EQ3 Mount
Key Features
- Aperture: 80mm
- Focal Length: 640mm (f/8)
- Optical Design: Doublet refractor
- Mount: EQ3 equatorial mount
- Best For: Beginners and casual backyard stargazing
The Explore FirstLight 80mm Refractor with EQ3 Mount is a great entry-level telescope for backyard astronomy. The 80mm aperture is sufficient for viewing the moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula. The telescope’s f/8 focal ratio provides a balanced field of view, making it easy to observe both large objects and smaller celestial targets.
This telescope comes with the EQ3 equatorial mount, which offers more precise tracking compared to Alt-Azimuth mounts. The mount allows you to follow the motion of celestial objects as the Earth rotates, making it easier to maintain objects in the field of view for longer periods of time. This feature makes the FirstLight 80mm a great option for beginners who want to learn how to use an equatorial mount while stargazing in their backyard.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use equatorial mount for improved tracking
- Portable and compact for backyard use
- Balanced optical performance for beginners
Cons:
- Manual tracking may require practice for new users
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Smaller aperture limits views of faint deep-sky objects
How to Choose the Best Telescope for Backyard Astronomy
1. Aperture
The aperture is the most critical factor when choosing a telescope for backyard astronomy. A larger aperture allows more light to enter the telescope, enabling you to see fainter objects. For backyard use, an aperture between 80mm and 102mm is sufficient for observing planets, the moon, and brighter deep-sky objects.
2. Mount Type
The type of mount is another important consideration. Alt-Azimuth mounts, like the Twilight I, are easy to use and great for beginners, while equatorial mounts, like the EQ3, allow for more precise tracking of celestial objects. Go-To computerized mounts offer the convenience of automatic tracking, making them a great option for those who prefer a more hands-off approach.
3. Focal Length
The focal length determines the telescope’s magnification and field of view. Shorter focal lengths provide wider fields of view, ideal for scanning star fields or observing large celestial objects like nebulae. Longer focal lengths, on the other hand, are better for observing planets and other small, high-detail objects.
4. Portability
For backyard astronomers, portability is a key factor. Telescopes that are lightweight and easy to set up are ideal for quickly starting an observing session. Carbon fiber telescopes, such as the FirstLight 80mm CF, offer excellent portability without sacrificing durability.
Conclusion
Backyard astronomy offers a fantastic way to explore the night sky, and with the right telescope, you can get up-close views of planets, the moon, star clusters, and nebulae.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first telescope or an intermediate astronomer seeking better performance, the five telescopes reviewed here provide excellent options for backyard stargazing.
The Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80ED is perfect for those who want to balance visual observation with astrophotography, while the Explore FirstLight 102mm Doublet Refractor is an ideal beginner-friendly option.
For those seeking portability and automated tracking, the Explore FirstLight 80mm CF Go-To Combo is a fantastic choice.
Each telescope offers unique features that cater to different needs, ensuring you findEach of the five telescopes reviewed here offers a unique set of features that cater to different needs, from planetary viewing to deep-sky exploration.
Whether you prioritize portability, ease of use, or superior optical performance, there's an option that suits your backyard astronomy needs.
The EvoStar 80ED stands out for those interested in both visual observation and astrophotography, while the Explore FirstLight 102mm Doublet Refractor provides excellent value for beginners.
For those seeking portability with modern tracking technology, the Explore FirstLight 80mm CF Go-To Combo with solar filter is perfect for both day and night use.