10 bestTelescopes For Viewing Planetsof July 2025
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1
Telescope 130EQ Newtonian Reflector Telescopes for Adults, Professional Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, Comes with 1.5X Barlow Lens Smartphone Adapter & 13% T Moon Filter
SOLOMARK
9.9
2
Dianfan Telescope,90mm Aperture 800mm Telescopes for Adults Astronomy,Portable Professional Refractor Telescope for Beginners & Kids,with Stainless Tripod & Phone Adapter,Carry Bag
Dianfan
9.8
3
MEEZAA Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered Professional, 90mm Aperture 800mm AZ Mount Refractor Telescopes for Kids & Astronomy Beginners with Stainless Tripod & Carrying Bag & Phone Adapter
MEEZAA
9.6
4
Celestron -31145 - NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope - Compact and Portable - Newtonian Reflector Optical Design - SkyAlign Technology - Computerized Hand Control - 130mm Aperture
Celestron
9.5
5
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Backpack
EACONN
9.3
OtherUp to 25% off
Portable and Powerful 16x-120x Astronomical Telescope, Easy to Assemble and Use, Ideal for Adult & Beginners. Includes Manual in English, Mobile Adapter, Case, Tripod, 2 Eyepieces, 3X Lens
Telescope for Astronomy for Adult Beginners - Professional, Portable and Powerful 20x-250x - Easy to Mount and Use - Astronomical Telescope for Moon, Planets and Stargazing
Telescope for Kids and Beginners - 70mm Apeture 400mm AZ Mount Telescopes for Adults - Good Partner to View Moon and Planet - Come with a Smartphone Adapter with 1.5X Barlow Lens and Adjustable Tripod
Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor Telescope
6
Celestron – Omni XLT AZ 102 Refractor Telescope – Refractor Telescope for Beginners – Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Adjustable-Height Tripod – Bonus Astronomy Software Package
Celestron
9.1
7
Sky-Watcher EvoStar 72 APO Doublet Refractor – Compact and Portable Optical Tube for Affordable Astrophotography and Visual Astronomy (S11180)
Sky-Watcher
8.8
8
Telescope for Kids and Beginners, BNISE 150X Astronomy 70mm Larger Aperture 300mm Refractor Telescopes with Phone Adapter, Wire Shutter, Moon Filter and Carry Bag
BNISE
8.6
35% off
9
Celestron – StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope – Works with StarSense App to Help You Find Stars, Planets & More – 130mm Newtonian Reflector – iPhone/Android Compatible…
Celestron
8.3
10
Telescope for Astronomy for Adult Beginners - Professional, Portable and Powerful 20x-250x - Easy to Mount and Use - Astronomical Telescope for Moon, Planets and Stargazing
Slokey Discover The World
Editor’s Choice
8.1
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A Guide to Selecting the Best Telescopes For Viewing Planets
Choosing a telescope for viewing planets is an exciting journey that can open up a whole new world of stargazing. The right telescope will let you see details like the rings of Saturn, the bands on Jupiter, and the phases of Venus. To make the best choice, it's important to understand the main features that affect how clearly and easily you can see planets. By learning about these key specifications, you can match a telescope to your needs, whether you're a beginner or looking to upgrade your stargazing experience.
Aperture
Aperture refers to the diameter of the main lens or mirror of the telescope, and it's one of the most important specs because it determines how much light the telescope can gather. More light means brighter and clearer images, which is especially important for seeing details on planets. Aperture sizes are usually measured in millimeters or inches. Small apertures (under 80mm) are lightweight and portable but may show less detail. Medium apertures (80mm to 130mm) offer a good balance for most users, providing enough detail for planetary viewing without being too bulky. Large apertures (over 130mm) can reveal even finer details but are heavier and may require a sturdier mount. If your main goal is to see planets clearly, aim for at least a medium aperture, but consider how much weight and size you’re comfortable handling.
Focal Length
Focal length is the distance from the telescope’s lens or mirror to the point where it forms an image. This spec affects the magnification you can achieve with different eyepieces. Longer focal lengths (over 1000mm) are generally better for viewing planets because they make it easier to get higher magnification, which helps you see more detail. Shorter focal lengths (under 700mm) are better for wide views of the sky but may not show planets as large or detailed. If your main interest is planetary viewing, look for a telescope with a longer focal length, as this will help you get those close-up views of Saturn’s rings or Jupiter’s moons.
Mount Type
The mount is what holds your telescope steady and allows you to move it to follow objects in the sky. There are two main types: alt-azimuth (moves up/down and left/right) and equatorial (follows the rotation of the sky). For planetary viewing, a stable mount is crucial because high magnification makes any shaking very noticeable. Alt-azimuth mounts are simple and easy to use, great for beginners, but may require more manual adjustment to keep planets in view. Equatorial mounts are a bit more complex but make it easier to track planets as they move across the sky. Choose a mount that matches your comfort level with setup and use, but always prioritize stability for the best planetary views.
Eyepiece Compatibility
Eyepieces are what you look through, and they come in different sizes and focal lengths, affecting the magnification and field of view. Most telescopes use standard sizes (like 1.25-inch or 2-inch), which allows you to upgrade or swap eyepieces easily. For planetary viewing, you’ll want to use eyepieces that provide higher magnification, but not so high that the image becomes blurry. Make sure the telescope you choose can accept a range of eyepieces, so you can experiment and find the best views for each planet. If you’re just starting, look for a telescope that comes with at least two eyepieces to give you some flexibility.
Optical Design
Telescopes come in different designs, such as refractors, reflectors, and compound (catadioptric) types. Refractors use lenses and are known for sharp, high-contrast images, making them great for planets, but they can get expensive as the aperture increases. Reflectors use mirrors and often offer larger apertures for the price, but may require more maintenance. Compound telescopes combine lenses and mirrors, offering a good balance of size, weight, and image quality. If you want crisp planetary views and low maintenance, a refractor is a solid choice. If you want more aperture for your money and don’t mind a bit of upkeep, a reflector or compound design could be right for you.
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