A telescope alone is not enough for a great observing experience. You will need the right accessories to enhance your scope’s performance and fully enjoy your nights under the stars. I have assembled the list below based on a lifetime spent observing the skies. My recommendations include items like a finder scope, eyepieces, filters, reference materials, a red flashlight, and more to help you make the most of each observing session. So, prepare your wish list. It’s time to go shopping.
Explore Scientific 99% Reflective 2-inch Diagonal and Celestron 1.25″ Dielectric Star Diagonal with Twist-Lock
A star diagonal bends the path of light as it exits your scope, allowing for more comfortable viewing. Explore Scientific’s 99% Reflective 2-inch Diagonal incorporates dielectric-coated mirrors with high reflectivity and wide-field performance for telescopes designed for 2″ eyepieces. It also supports 11/4″ eyepieces using the supplied adapter. The Celestron 1.25″ Dielectric Star Diagonal with Twist-Lock is ideal for telescopes that accept 11/4″ eyepieces exclusively. Both are favored by the amateur community for their optical quality and durability.
explorescientific.com
celestron.com
Celestron NexYZ 3-Axis Universal Smartphone Adapter
Smartphone astrophotography is popular because it is simple, affordable, and instantly shareable. But trying to hold a phone by hand over an eyepiece is both frustrating and unstable. The Celestron NexYZ 3-Axis Universal Smartphone Adapter solves this with precise X-, Y-, and Z-axis alignment, broad phone compatibility, sturdy construction, and a secure, repeatable setup. Once the phone is clamped into the holder and aligned, the adapter tightens firmly around the eyepiece, locking the phone and eyepiece together to maintain alignment during use.
Explore Scientific 62° Series 26mm Waterproof Eyepiece
Looking to add a low-power eyepiece to your collection, but don’t want to break the bank? The Explore Scientific 62° Series 26mm Waterproof Eyepiece delivers great low-power views with a generous 62° apparent field and comfortable 19.3mm of eye relief in a standard 11/4″ barrel. Thanks to its quality optics and waterproof argon-purged build, the eyepiece produces captivating views at an affordable price.
Celestron 1.25″ Eyepiece and Filter Kit
A telescope’s performance depends heavily on the quality of its eyepiece. For beginners, a versatile set spanning multiple focal lengths is invaluable, as most targets display different details at different magnifications. Celestron’s 1.25″ Eyepiece and Filter Kit is a great start. It includes five general-purpose Plössl eyepieces to provide a great foundation, a 2x Barlow lens to increase your telescope’s magnification, six color filters for observing the planets, a Moon filter, and a foam-fitted aluminum carrying case.
The Complete Star Atlas
Just as road maps guide summer trips, star atlases guide skywatchers. The Complete Star Atlas by Michael E. Bakich (Kalmbach Books, 2020) is a 160-page guide with red-light-friendly maps, informative articles, and full-color photos. It is designed to help both beginners and experienced observers find constellations, bright stars, and 1,200 deep-sky objects.
Celestron Ultima 10x50mm binoculars
With their widefield, immersive views, binoculars are an excellent option for stargazing. Celestron Ultima 10x50mm binoculars feature BaK4 Porro prisms; fully multicoated optics; and waterproof, nitrogen-filled construction for bright, clear vistas spanning 6°. They stand out for their optical quality, ergonomic design, and overall value among similarly priced binoculars.
Tele Vue Ethos eyepieces
Ultra-wide eyepieces are all the rage, and Tele Vue Ethos eyepieces are as good as they come. Each offers a 100° apparent field for truly hypnotic observing. They deliver bright, distortion-free views of deep-sky and planetary targets with comfortable eye relief. The 13mm and 21mm variants are especially popular among veteran amateurs for their stunning views.
Dew-Not heater system
Dew can quickly end an observing session. The Dew-Not heater system prevents this with Velcro-secured heater strips that wrap around optical equipment. Sized for telescope tubes, eyepieces, and camera lenses, they regulate the temperature for dew-free, night-long viewing. Each strip has a male RCA plug that plugs into a female RCA connector on a 12-volt controller; such controllers are sold separately, and are available from Dew-Not, Celestron, Kendrick, and others.
Tele Vue Bandmate Type II Nebustar UHC Filter
Narrowband filters enhance emission and planetary nebulae by passing only the key wavelengths from ionized hydrogen and doubly ionized oxygen, while suppressing others. Used on emission objects like the Orion or Ring nebulae, they greatly improve contrast. Tele Vue’s Bandmate Type II Nebustar UHC Filter, available in 11/4″ and 2″ versions, delivers excellent contrast enhancement, revealing faint nebular detail with impressive clarity. The Nebustar’s premium optical quality and carefully tuned bandpass make it a great choice for serious observers.
Star Bound Adjustable Observing Chair
Observing chairs relieve stress during long hours at the telescope. Some amateurs use musician’s stools or drafting chairs, but their height range is limited. The foldable Star Bound Adjustable Observing Chair is purpose-built. It is adjustable from 9 to 32 inches (23 to 81 centimeters) by sliding the seat along twin rails, and has a weight capacity of 300 pounds (136 kilograms).
SVBONY SV179 Red Dot Finder Scope
Red-dot finders make pointing a telescope easier by projecting a red dot onto a clear window, letting you aim at bright celestial targets quickly. The SVBONY SV179 Red Dot Finder Scope offers dual-axis adjustment and variable brightness. Its mount is compatible with a wide range of telescopes that have standard two-screw finder bases.
Rigel Systems Skylite mini flashlight
A reliable red flashlight is essential for nighttime observing. The Rigel Systems Skylite mini flashlight features two LEDs (allowing you to switch between two different colors), adjustable brightness, and long-lasting performance. Its changeable intensity provides bright light for setup and teardown, as well as dim levels for reading charts without compromising night vision. You can select your two color options — including red, white, blue, amber, or infrared — at the time of purchase.
Axigear hard shell cases
With proper care, astronomical equipment can last a lifetime. A padded, weather-resistant case is essential to protect delicate eyepieces and other items. Axigear hard shell cases offer reliable protection against shock, water, and dust. I recommend the medium-sized 15-inch (38 cm) R6286 or the larger 17-inch (43 cm) R6284 models. Both feature customizable foam, secure handling, and ample space for eyepieces and accessories, making either case a practical solution for storage and transport.
Astrozap light shrouds
If you use an open truss telescope under light-polluted or damp conditions, a black shroud is a must-have. It blocks stray light and wind from the optical path and helps slow dewing of the optics. Astrozap light shrouds are available for telescopes with apertures from 8 inches to 16 inches.
Celestron 9×50 Illuminated Right Angle Correct Image Finderscope
One of the most important accessories in an amateur astronomer’s bag of tricks is a high-quality finder scope. Even if you have a go-to scope, a finder is a must. The Celestron 9×50 Illuminated Right Angle Correct Image Finderscope is a 9-power, 50mm finder scope that shows bright views with an illuminated crosshair for easy centering. The right-angle, correct-image view it produces will be especially appreciated when sighting near the zenith. It offers a comfortable view over simpler, straight-through finders.
Celestron PowerTank Lithium Pro
Battery-powered telescopes quickly exhaust internal batteries, making an external power source a must-have accessory. The Celestron PowerTank Lithium Pro delivers reliable, long-lasting power for extended observing sessions thanks to its lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. It includes dual USB ports and a 12-volt accessory port for powering external devices, along with a built-in LED light panel that offers both white and red illumination.
Baader AstroSolar solar filter
Observational astronomy is not always a night job; the Sun is also awaiting your visit. To view it safely, a proper white-light filter, such as a Baader AstroSolar solar filter, is an essential accessory. It reduces sunlight to harmless levels while preserving fine detail. The AstroSolar filter’s high-quality film produces sharper views than many glass filters.
Tele Vue Nagler eyepieces
Since introducing the first Nagler eyepiece in 1982, reinventing the eyepiece market in the process, Tele Vue has continued to expand this remarkable line. Among them, the 22mm Type 4 and the 13mm Type 6 are popular with advanced observers, combining a spacious 82° apparent field of view with excellent edge correction, compact size, and superb performance in fast telescopes.
Tele Vue Delos eyepieces
If you are in the market for a high-quality eyepiece, Tele Vue’s Delos eyepieces are a great choice. Each in the series includes premium optics with a 72° apparent field of view and long eye relief for comfortable observing, especially for eyeglass wearers. The 10mm Delos is an exceptional all-around choice for lunar, planetary, and deep-sky views.
HOTECH SCA Laser Collimator
Laser collimators make it easy to align the mirrors of Newtonian reflectors, ensuring the best possible views. The HOTECH SCA Laser Collimator is well regarded among observers for its accuracy, ease of use, and rugged construction, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced astronomers.
Phil Harrington is a contributing editor of Astronomy and a longtime equipment guru.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy a product through the links on this page, we may earn a commission.
