Choosing a first telescope under $100 for planets and the moon

[Ibn Sina]

Hello there, I'm new around here. :)

I'm looking to get my first ever telescope and so I wanted a bit of advice on what would be the best telescope to fit my needs and also if you could remember, please mention what type of telescope you first purchased!

As a beginner, I'm looking to view:

- Planets
- Moon
- Stars
- Some galaxies/nabulae would be a plus but not really needed for now.

I'm also not spending too much money on my first telescope (<$100) for obvious reasons.

Thanks to everyone in advance for your advice!

 

[Bandersnatch]

Hello Ibn Sina, welcome to PF!

Have you read the sticky thread we've got here about this very subject?

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=391086

If you want a quick bit of advice, though, then I'd say buy a good pair of binoculars. They're cheaper, easier to handle and carry around, and comparable to small telescopes as far as stargazing goes.
You can upgrade later on, if you find yourself limited in what you want to do.

 

[Ibn Sina]

Ouch, I missed that sticky :/
I feel dumb right now, but thanks for the help Bandersnatch!

I suppose this thread can be deleted.

 

[Chronos]

I second binoculars, bigger aperture is better so long as you keep the magnification at 10x or less. On your budget that should not be an issue. A good quality 8x50 sounds ideal.

 

[bapowell]

I agree with Chronos. Not only is it a good idea to get familiar with the night sky using binoculars before you get a telescope, at your budget a telescope of even passing quality does not exist.

 

[and7barton]

Binoculars every time

Definitely go for binoculars for general astronomy use - And if you can, invest in a Sky Mirror. That will extend your viewing comfort and endurance many times over. I've had numerous telescopes up to a ten inch Newtonian. They are fine if you want to specialise - I used mine for looking at external galaxies, but for a varied useage, it's binoculars every time. Mine current ones are simple Russian Bearcat 10x50= plus my Sky Mirror.

 

[markoo]

Hello there, I'm new around here. :)

I'm looking to get my first ever telescope and so I wanted a bit of advice on what would be the best telescope to fit my needs and also if you could remember, please mention what type of telescope you first purchased!

As a beginner, I'm looking to view:

- Planets
- Moon
- Stars
- Some galaxies/nabulae would be a plus but not really needed for now.

I'm also not spending too much money on my first telescope (<$100) for obvious reasons.

Thanks to everyone in advance for your advice!

Im sorry but <100 dollars is not going to cut it id say you need between 200-300 bucks to see the moon an some planets

check out this guide it may be of help
http://refractingtelescopeworld.com/2015/11/19/best-beginner-telescope/

 

[davenn]

Im sorry but <100 dollars is not going to cut it id say you need between 200-300 bucks to see the moon an some planets

check out this guide it may be of help
http://refractingtelescopeworld.com/2015/11/19/best-beginner-telescope/

@markoo
hi there
Welcome to PF

you do realize this thread is several years old and the original poster never returned ?

just keep an eye on the dates of the last post in a thread before responding

regards
Dave