From the July 2026 issue

How to buy your first telescope

Here’s all you need to know to get started in our amazing hobby.
By | Published: May 21, 2026 | Last updated on June 12, 2026

Tall graphic showing a dark, jagged mountain range at the bottom under a bright, star-filled night sky. A wide, colorful band of the Milky Way stretches diagonally across the frame in blues, purples, and pinks against deep blue-black space. In front, two people appear in silhouette—one bent to look through a large telescope on a tripod, the other standing and holding up a phone toward the sky.
Credit: Astronomy: Jay Smith; Background: Tony Hallas

A supplement to Astronomy magazine presented by Celestron

Contents

Telescopes 101

Buying your first telescope is a big step, especially if you’re not sure what all those terms mean. So, to help you understand what to look for in a quality telescope, the editors of Astronomy magazine answer 11 of the most-asked questions.

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