So, how much does a telescope cost? When you think of telescopes, you probably picture something old and dusty. Maybe you imagine it as something that only an astronomer could love. But even though this kind of equipment may seem old-fashioned, it remains relevant for those interested in the night sky. Today’s telescopes are different from the ones you see in photographs or films. Makers have now updated them with digital controls and advanced imaging lenses.
Sometimes, you can buy a simple telescope for less than 100 or more than 1,000 dollars. The price of a telescope depends on its features and what it is made of. So let’s take a closer look at some factors influencing its cost.
What Kind of Things Can You Look at Through a Telescope?
People will say that a particular telescope might be better suited for observing planets and the Moon. It’s possible that deep space objects, also known as DSOs, require a different type of telescope. Therefore, when purchasing your first telescope, we do not believe it is necessary for you to be overly concerned with this particular aspect. However, if you are only interested in pursuing a specific category of targets, be sure to communicate this information to anyone who might be able to assist you.
It is common for individuals to begin their night sky explorations with the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. However, finding them shouldn’t be a problem since they’re apparent even to the unassisted eye. However, you cannot necessarily find them in the sky at all times. Since they travel around the Sun at a different speed than Earth, we do not always see them in the sky because their orbital path differs from ours.
There are many telescopes such as Dobsonian telescopes, Newtonian telescopes, capable telescopes, computerized scope reflector telescopes, catadioptric telescopes, good refractor telescopes, refractor telescopes, very capable telescopes, computerized scopes, computerized goto scopes, reflector telescopes, and manual scope. But here is a fact good refractor telescope costs more.
There are a good number of fainter deep-sky objects, bright objects, and brighter deep-sky objects that you can observe with a telescope of 80 millimeters in aperture. However, there are many more that you can observe with a scope with a larger aperture. For example, telescopes with a focal length of 150 millimeters or more and prices beginning at less than 300 dollars are typically put to use for observing deep-sky objects. So it should be no surprise that these also function admirably on the Moon and other planets. A long focal length is good.
How Much Does a Good Telescope Cost?
Despite what people may have led you to believe, the fact is that you can purchase a good scope for virtually any amount of money. Telescopes and other types of astronomical equipment can easily cost thousands of dollars. But, it is not difficult to acquire a decent beginner’s scope for a price that is not high.
Suppose you have little to no astronomy experience and are interested in purchasing your first scope. In that case, it is probably a good idea to set aside between $75 and $250 to cover the cost of the equipment. So, for example, suppose you have been interested in astronomy for a while and have some experience with the naked eye and binocular astronomy. In that case, your upper limit will most likely be determined by how much money you can spend on astronomical equipment.
Why? When you purchase a telescope, you are not only making a financial investment but also investing time and commitment to the hobby. If you are new to the hobby, it is natural and understandable that you would want to dive right in and get your feet wet by purchasing the most expensive telescope your budget allows. But, suppose you don’t know what to look for and don’t have reasonable expectations about what you can see. In that case, there’s a good chance that your interest will dwindle as quickly as the Moon does from full to new.
How Much Does a Professional Telescope Cost?
Well, it depends.
When deciding what kind of equipment to purchase, those interested in astronomy frequently ponder the question, “How much does the best telescope cost?” However, the response to that question will depend on the kind of telescope you are looking for.
Telescopes are available for purchase on Amazon.com as of December 2016
- Only the top four brands are allowed: Celestron, Orion, Meade, and Sky-Watcher are some of the names.
- Only telescopes have received an average rating of four stars or higher.
- Telescope prices vary: under $300, $300-$500, $500-$1000, over $1000
- The most expensive telescope we looked at was still less than $3000.
Many telescope packages are also available. The price of each kind of telescope can be affected by different things. Below, we will talk about some of the most common ones.
The Aperture
The diameter of a telescope’s lens or primary mirror is its aperture. It works when an object in space shines a light on this portion of the telescope. The aperture is one of the most important parts of a telescope because it can greatly affect how clear the image in the eyepiece is. In general, the price of a telescope goes up with the wide aperture.
Focal Length
The distance light rays travel inside a telescope is called its focal length (between the aperture and the focuser). When the focal length is short, the field of view is wider, but the object seen will look smaller. This is great for astrophotography because things in the deep sky are naturally big. This means that the item you’re looking at will seem larger and more vibrant when seen through a longer focal length, which is ideal for capturing images of the Moon and planets. The focal ratio also plays a major role.
Optical Design
How different optical parts control light moves from the aperture to the eyepiece in each type of telescope. Most of the time, telescopes with lenses instead of mirrors cost more.
Accessories
Costs can be high for good eyepieces or a high-end focuser. However, the price of your telescope kit can depend greatly on how good the parts come with it are.
Parts
Most beginner telescopes are cheaper because manufacturers make them weak materials like plastic or aluminum for the tube and tripod. To get the most out of the night sky, you need a strong telescope and an equatorial mount that is perfectly balanced. If you use a telescope that wobbles and isn’t stable, you’ll have a bad time, and you might not use your telescope as much in the future.
Brand
Most of the telescopes on the market are Chinese. Then, they send these telescopes to a few retailers in the United States and Europe. They sell them under different names, colors, and brands. So, two slightly different telescopes sold under different brands may be the same model made in China. As a result, various companies might offer identical telescopes at varying costs. So, the consumer must research the goods and the available pricing.
Shipping Cost
Depending on the telescope you buy, shipping and handling costs can vary quite a bit, adding a significant amount to the final bill. This fee will depend on how heavy, big, fragile, and how it will be shipped. With the GoTo function, you’ll pay more for a 12-inch Dobsonian telescope that arrives in three different boxes than a beginner’s telescope that comes in one box.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Telescope?
Most individuals who construct their telescope opt to construct a Newtonian, as this type of telescope is the simplest to construct. For example, you can purchase mirrors that have already been ground or grind your own if you want to do this. For example, you should be able to purchase a set of pre-made mirrors for a Newtonian for somewhere between $200 and $300. This set should include both primary and secondary mirrors.
To mount them, you will need a mirror cell for the primary and a spider for the secondary. Both of these will need to be purchased separately. You should be able to get those for less than 100 dollars each, and after that, you’ll need a truss or a tube. You can purchase an inexpensive sonotube for around 10 dollars.
In addition to that, you will require a focuser. One that is more affordable will run about $50. And last but not least, some mount. You could probably build one for less than 30 dollars. So when you add everything up, you’re looking at somewhere between $400 and $500, and you don’t even have a finder or eyepieces yet.
You should be able to grind your mirrors and then have them coated for less than $200 if you do it yourself. However, you will have to put in a lot more effort. However, this may reduce your total cost to less than or close to $400.
Suppose you want the fun and learning experience of doing it yourself or are looking for something that you can’t easily find commercially. In that case, making your scope is only worthwhile if you want the experience of doing it yourself. If this is not the case, it typically does not make much sense from an economic standpoint.
How Much Does a Hubble Telescope Cost?
The final launch of Hubble occurred on April 24, 1990, when it was carried into space by the space shuttle Discovery. The telescope was placed into low Earth orbit the following day, approximately 340 miles (545 kilometers) above our planet. The initial development and launch of Hubble cost $1.5 billion. However, there would also be ongoing costs, some of which makers anticipated and some not.
Makers first put the Hubble space telescope into operation in 1990. Nevertheless, one of its primary objectives was to measure the rate at which the universe is expanding to get a more accurate estimate of its age and for deep-sky targets. Before the launch of Hubble, NASA reported that the rate had errors of up to half of what it should have been. Because of Hubble, the percentage of mistakes made today is only ten percent.
How Much Does a Telescope That Can See Planets Cost?
Astrophotography has a reputation for being a fairly pricey hobby, and this perception is entirely warranted. The use of cutting-edge technology and components of the highest optical quality are necessary for producing high-quality photographs of deep-sky objects. However, the telescope is not necessarily the most expensive piece of equipment.
Between 800 and 1,500 dollars is the price range for a beginner’s astrophotography telescope. More advanced models can cost between 1,500 and 3,000 dollars (or even more).
When it comes to astrophotography, the best option is to make use of a small apochromatic telescope. This is due to its portability, lightweight, ease of operation, and expansive field of view. They are perfect for taking pictures of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters that are breathtaking. The “Explore Scientific ED80” is an excellent refractor telescope that you can purchase for around 850 US dollars. It has three lenses made of high-quality glass, which significantly cuts down on color dispersion.
One of the most well-liked products in astronomical photography is the “William Optics RedCat 51 APO.” It has a price tag of about $800, and quite a few individuals get their start in this hobby with this particular telescope. However, your ability to produce high-quality astronomical photographs depends on the type of glass used in the lenses. Therefore, if you have the financial means, you should investigate telescopes constructed with FPL-53 glass. That’s because this type of glass is superior in mitigating chromatic aberrations.
Final Words: How Much Does a Telescope Cost?
Finding the right telescope requires you to focus just as much on yourself as on the instrument itself. Therefore, when making your decision, you should consider the circumstances you are currently in and the available funds.
The telescope you purchase today does not have to be capable of satisfying every conceivable interest in perpetuity. Since telescopes are tools, you will likely want to upgrade yours at some point. Alternately, you might decide to add a second, or even a third, to accommodate the requirements of size, weight, or specific observations.
The quality of what you see will get diminished due to light pollution. Light pollution has a smaller impact on celestial objects like the Moon, planets, open star clusters, and double stars than on galaxies, nebula, and globular clusters. The results of your observations depend on how well you plan what you observe and where you observe it.
The practice of astronomy as a hobby makes for a fantastic opportunity to bond with one’s loved ones. The opportunity to spend quality time with your children while also assisting them in furthering their education is a double win.
We highly recommend that you go to a club located in your area. Clubs have the potential to be an invaluable resource for both assistance and information. However, the experience can be greatly enhanced when shared with a group of people with the same interests. This guide certainly helped amateur astronomers.