Backyard Stargazing Gear

Best Stargazing Gear for Deep Sky

Hand-picked gear for deep sky.

Telescopes·Mid-range

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ

The most-recommended 'first real telescope' — enough aperture to show deep-sky, at an entry price.

Telescopes·Flagship

Celestron NexStar 8SE

The 'orange tube' — 8 inches of computerized aperture, the scope most enthusiasts end up keeping.

Telescopes·Mid-range

Sky-Watcher Classic 6" Dobsonian

The most aperture-per-dollar in astronomy, on a mount even a beginner can't get wrong.