Flamsteed Beginners' Guide to Telescopes

Beginners’ Guide to Telescopes

Website navigation tip: On any page click on the telescope image, top right, to go back one level

Useful Links

> Introduction

> Overview

> Choices: Types of telescopes

> Differences: What to consider

More on image quality

Telescope strengths & weaknesses

Mounts strengths & weaknesses

> Costs: How much will you pay?

Scopes with non-computerised mounts

Scopes with GO-TO or PUSH-TO mounts

> Using it: How to set-up and use

> Useful links to more information

> Back to Flamsteed Astro

Web Links

Helpful advice —

The Royal Astronomical Society on 'Getting started in astronomy'

Jodrell Bank on learning the night sky with advice about equipment

Help in choosing a telescope by Robin Scagell

Advice from National Astronomy Week

The Society for Popular Astronomy

Patrick Moore's guide on BBC Science

Astronomy magazine on buying a telescope (US)

Sky & Telescope mag’s “How to start right in astronomy”

Sky & Telescope on choosing your first telescope (US)

Prices and advice from reputable retailers —

David Hinds (Celestron UK)

F1 Telescopes

Green Witch Cambridge

The Widescreen Centre

Useful Links

Reading List —

For much more detailed descriptions, advice, and tips:

Robin Scagell: Stargazing with a Telescope; Philip’s London, reprinted 2006, £7.99

Robin Scagell and David Frydman: Stargazing with Binoculars; Philip’s London 2007, £7.99

Reviews —

Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Newt GO-TO

by Prof Ian Morison, Jodrell Bank

Telescope reviews by Robin Scagell

‘Sky & Telescope’ magazine Test Reports (US)

Skywatcher reviews

TAL reviews

ScopeTest.com