When you get started in Astronomy there can be some sticker shock. High quality telescopes are very expensive.
A high quality telescope can make astronomy much more astronomy, and there are some ways to get a high quality scope on a low budget by buying used, buying small or having extremely good conditions. Do not waste your money on low quality scopes as it can give you a very bad experience with the hobby.
The low cost telescopes available in many stores are not worth the money in most cases. These telescopes are called “hobby killers” because they often turn people off to astronomy because of how difficult they are to use.
Why Are Telescopes So Expensive
Telescopes are expensive because of the precision needed to manufacture them.
Telescopes use mirrors or lenses to make dim distant objects visible to an observer. These mirrors and lenses must have very precise shapes and special coatings.
Some very high end telescope mirrors are even coated in silver.
A simple Newtonian reflector telescope contains two, ground, coated and polished, mirrors, and the eyepiece contains two to three lenses. All that is contained in just one configuration of the telescope.
Telescopes also often contain other components like fans, computerized helps, finderscopes and correcting components.
Telescopes also need mounts! Some mounts are very complex and engineered and even the simplest mounts have many moving parts.
Telescopes are precision instruments that are manufactured in special facilities and inspected by experts.
The demand for telescopes has also risen since December 2020, but the supply has remained relatively low which has driven up the prices as well.
Telescopes are expensive, and you can read more about why they are so expensive in the linked article, but this is a good overview.
There are many ways to get into the hobby on a budget. Here are my best suggestions.
Options for Cheap Telescopes
If you need to keep your budget low there are 3 ideas that will get you behind an eyepiece without blowing the budget.
Buy Used
The best way to get a high quality telescope on a budget is to buy used. I find a lot of good scopes on Marketplace for a very reasonable price.
You can look up any scopes that you are looking at on Cloudy Nights to see reviews. They have some very detailed write ups with extensive pros and cons on many telescopes.
Buying used also gives you a great opportunity to meet another astronomer and get a little lesson on how to use the telescope when you buy it.
We have a great guide to buying a used telescope, so you can shop confidently.
Borrow
Local astronomy clubs often have a lending library for members.
Search for a local astronomy club and attend one of their events, these often take place at libraries, state parks, or science museums.
I have found that most clubs have a very low membership fee and they are happy to have you borrow a scope.
This is an incredible way to try out astronomy for yourself. The club members will be sure that you have everything you need and you can get a feel for what it is like to transport, set up and tear down a scope by yourself.
Tabletop Dobsonian
A very budget friendly first telescope is a tabletop Dobsonian like the FunScope Tabletop Reflector from Orion (affiliate link).
This telescope is less than $100 at time of writing and it is a high quality telescope that can last you for years.
The scope is light, easy to transport, but does present some challenges in the field.
If you will be observing at home you can create a platform for the scope, but if you are traveling to observe you will need a table or stool.
We have this folding table that we used a lot at outreach. It is very sturdy, small and light.
This adjustable height table can make observing comfortable with a tabletop telescope. Be sure to grab a chair as well.
How To Enjoy Astronomy On a Budget (Without a Telescope)
If you have less than $100 to spend to get started in astronomy, this is what you should do. These low cost activities will give you a much better idea of what is possible with hobby astronomy.
In order to get a real taste for astronomy without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a telescope I recommend that you try these things:
Attend a Star Party
A star party is what astronomers call meet-up events. They can also be called outreach events.
Star parties usually take place at State Parks, National Parks and Science Museums.
You can find an event near you by reaching out to these places.
If you live close to an International Dark Sky Park there are sure to be events held there regularly. Science centers, observatories or children’s museums all hold events as well.
When you attend a star party you can expect that one or more astronomers will have a telescope set up and you will get to look through the telescope.
This is a great way to get an idea of what is possible and on what kind of budget.
There is generally a presentation of some kind and then a viewing session when you can look and ask questions. Do not be afraid to discuss your budget for a telescope and ask for suggestions.
You will find that these events are often put on by local astronomy clubs and they often have telescopes that can be borrowed by members.
Travel To a Dark Sky Area
Use a bortle sky map or this app to find out what the bortle score is by your home.
I use an app called Light Pollution Map to see a map of where I live to find the darkest skies available.
This is important because the darker your skies the more you will be able to see. If you plan to buy a telescope you may find that the skies around your home are all very heavily light polluted which will make the hobby more difficult.
Traveling to a dark sky you will be able to enjoy the sky with the naked eye as much as possible.
If you discover that you have a lot of light pollution check out our guide to buying a telescope in the city. There are some great tips for enjoying astronomy in bright areas.
Buy Binoculars
If you just love gear (I know I do!) than you could always start with a pair of good binoculars.
They are inexpensive, easy to travel with and they allow you to see more detail than you can with your eyes alone.
Try grabbing a copy of Turn Left At Orion (affiliate link) so you can get an idea of what you are looking for, use the information in the book and start finding nebulae, galaxies and planets with your binoculars.
Binoculars are often recommended for beginners because they are so intuitive and you can start using them on the first clear night after you get them. There is almost no learning curve, no collimation, no mounts or eyepieces to buy or use, just very simple observing.
When I was working long hours I would sit on the hood of my car and use my binoculars to observe.
Orion makes an affordable line of binoculars, these 10×50 binoculars (affiliate) are designed for astronomers, they also carry waterproof options and specially coated binoculars all designed for astronomy.
My Unpopular Opinion on Cheap Telescopes
I think you do need to spend some money to enjoy astronomy. If you choose a very cheap telescope you will find that using it is very frustrating and you may not continue in the hobby.
Always buy the best telescope you can afford, the FunScope listed above is a very affordable option that can get many people started in the hobby without much frustration.
Some cheap telescopes will advertise huge magnification numbers, but those are just vanity numbers. Aperture (the diameter of the optical tube) is much more important.
Don’t be fooled by detailed pictures of planets and galaxies on the box. Whenever possible, try before you buy and ask a lot of questions before you make your final decision.
You do not need to spend thousands on a telescope to enjoy astronomy. Spend time enjoying the night sky, learn constellations, attend astronomy events and you are sure to fall in love.
Astronomers I have met along the way have been so helpful, and generous with their time and knowledge.
Don’t let budget issues keep you from diving in.
If you want more information or a recommendation for you, send us an email at telescopeboss at gmail dot com.
