We write guides the way you'd write an observing notebook: small steps, clear expectations, and the details that prevent frustration.
Pick a guide below to compare telescopes, run the finder, and read field notes on each model.
Telescope guides
Best GoTo & Computerized Telescopes for Beginners
Telescopes that find — and often track — objects for you, so beginners spend the night observing instead of hunting.
Best Telescope for Beginners
Choose with confidence. Get a quick match, then compare the finalists like an observation log.
Best Telescopes for Kids
Easy, sturdy picks that give kids a real first‑night “wow” — matched to age, attention span, and what they’re excited to see.
Best Telescopes for Viewing Planets
See Jupiter’s cloud bands, Saturn’s rings, and sharper Mars detail with telescopes chosen for contrast, stability, and usable aperture.
Best Telescope Under $500
Realistic picks under five hundred dollars — matched to your goals, compared like a field log.