Many astronomy enthusiasts live under the veil of light pollution, either from local sources like poorly aimed lights on neighboring houses or the enormous light domes enveloping large cities. It can be quite discouraging at first.
But it doesn’t mean you can’t be an active observer. Anyone can enjoy wonderful views every clear evening without venturing far from home. You just need to know what telescope is best for you and your location.
When it comes to buying a telescope, most people immediately consider their budget. No one wants to spend beyond their means. But for those who live in a city, there are a few other matters to ponder, as well. The most important considerations are ease of use and storage. Unless a telescope is convenient to use, it will quickly become consigned to the closet. Many a stargazer’s enthusiasm has turned to apathy upon the harsh realization that hauling out and setting up a telescope can be a daunting task.
So, where will you keep your telescope when it is not in use? If you must lug the equipment up and down stairs every night, you’ll want to be able to carry it all in one trip. The same applies if you need to walk or take public transport to a nearby park or other open area. If, however, you have first-floor access and a yard of your own with a clear view, then taking couple of trips is less burdensome.
Also remember that you won’t just be transporting the telescope, but its mount as well. If you must haul the setup a significant distance, avoid heavier designs like German equatorial mounts. Fortunately, nowadays there are many small mounts that are light enough to easily carry, yet sturdy enough to support a portable telescope. The lightest, most compact mounts are altitude-azimuth designs. With these, the telescope moves up and down in altitude and left to right in azimuth, which might be more intuitive for novice observers.