Best Celestron Telescopes for Beginners 2023.

The best Celestron telescopes for beginners in 2023 open up the heavens above us in an exciting new way. Introducing us to new worlds beyond what can be seen with the naked eye, they’re ideal for stargazing enthusiasts and those who want to capture the cosmos with their cameras.

So which model should you buy? Well, that depends a lot on your level of experience. If you’re a beginner, we recommend setting your sights on an inclusive package that lets you try a bit of everything, from general observing to afocal astrophotography. These instruments often come with a tripod, mount, eyepieces, finderscope, and, usually, a smartphone adapter.

 

Solar System imager

Consider whether you’re a deep-sky or Solar System imager if your needs are slightly more advanced. The aperture (or objective lens) of the telescope will guide you on whether it can capture ‘faint fuzzies’ or just enough to make the planets and lunar surface pop. 

The focal ratio is also a significant number to consider – fast telescopes with ratios of f/4 or f/5 are great for wide-field and deep-sky imaging. In contrast, slow instruments with ratios of f/11 to f/15 will offer stunning high-power images of the Moon and planets. Meanwhile, the kind of mount you use will determine whether long-exposure astrophotography is possible.

 

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ 130 mm Newtonian Telescope

One of the best celestron telescopes for beginners serious in stargazing is the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ. It offers an excellent package for the slightly more experienced amateur astronomer – especially given that it comes with a CG-3 equatorial mount, requiring more practice and patience over the basic alt-azimuth.

If you’re looking for a dual-purpose telescope appropriate for terrestrial and celestial viewing, then the AstroMaster Series is for you. Each Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Reflector Telescope model can give correct views of land and sky. 

 

Reflector telescope

The Celestron AstroMaster 130 eq reflector telescope produces bright, clear images of the Moon and planets. It is easy to see the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn with every one of these fine instruments. For views of the brighter deep space objects like galaxies and nebulae, we recommend the Newtonian type reflector telescopes’ larger aperture and more remarkable light-gathering ability.

The 130EQ comes reasonably well-equipped. It features two good quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), a StarPointer red dot finderscope, and a free Starry Night Basic Software download, allowing you to choose your targets and plan your observing session before heading outside. Be warned: you won’t see all 36,000 objects in the software database using the 130mm aperture. 

Overall, the package is a sound choice as the first serious telescope for astrophotography. And, if you’re a complete beginner, practice and patience will help you to yield some impressive images – more so, provided you accessorize the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ with eyepieces that are respectful of the optical tube’s useful magnifications. For example, it doesn’t come with a Barlow lens, which will improve viewing and imaging further. 

 

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Features:

• Quick and easy no-tool setup
• Permanently mounted StarPointer
• Erect image optics – Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
• Quick release dovetail attachment – no-tool setup
• CG-Equatorial Mount – for smooth and accurate pointing
• A rugged pre-assembled tripod with 1.25″ steel tube legs – Provides a rigid and stable platform
• All coated glass optics for clear, crisp images
• Deluxe accessory tray for convenient storage of accessories
• “The Sky” Level-1 planetarium software with 10,000 object database and enhanced images

 

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Specifications:

• Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector
• Aperture: 130 mm (5.12 in)
• Focal Length: 650 mm (25.59 in)
• Focal Ratio: 5
• Eyepiece 1: 20 mm (0.79 in) yields 32.5x magnification
• Eyepiece 2: 10 mm (0.39 in) yields 65x magnification
• Mount Type: CG-3 Equatorial Mount
• Optical Coatings: Aluminum
• Assembled Weight: 24 lb (10.89 kg)

Check Price

 

 

Celestron NexStar 5SE Computerized Telescope Bundle

 

Includes Huge Eyepiece & Filter Kit, AC Adapter & Portable Power Supply!

Very popular among amateur astronomers worldwide, the Celestron NexStar 5SE is a highly user-friendly option for those who are not just starting to observe but are also keen to try astrophotography. 

 

 

This Celestron NexStar 5SE bundle includes several highly sought-after telescope accessories that will increase the enjoyment and usability of your new telescope. Everybody needs extra eyepieces, a Barlow, and alternative ways to power their telescope, so by purchasing this Celestron NexStar 5SE bundle, and you will also save money in the long run!

The NexStar 5SE computerized telescope has everything you want in a portable telescope! You can take it just about anywhere, the 5″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optics will show you the wonders of our solar system and hundreds of deep-sky objects, and the GoTo electronics will take you to those objects at the touch of a button! Considered one of the better celestron telescopes for beginners.

 

NexStar 5SE bundle

This Celestron NexStar 5SE bundle includes a 13-Piece 1.25″ Eyepiece and Filter Kit with an aluminum case. This fantastic kit contains items allowing you to view the cosmos in many magnifications and colors. A Portable Power Supply and a 2A AC adapter are also included. With the accessories included in the Celestron NexStar 5SE Bundle, you can power your scope all night long from any location. You’ll have various viewing accessories that will make your new telescope extra fun and flexible.

 

About the Celestron NexStar 5SE Computerized Telescope

The Celestron NexStar 5SE computerized telescope is an amazingly portable go-to telescope! It weighs under 20 pounds but has several state-of-the-art features, including a fully computerized operating system, flash upgradeable hand control, superior coatings, SkyAlign telescope alignment software, and much more! Let the NexStar 5SE help you find thousands of stars, planets, galaxies, and more at the touch of a button!

The NexStar 5SE is a rock-solid telescope. With the Celestron NexStar 5SE, Celestron has built a Computerized Telescope that is a snap to align with Celestron’s SkyAlign Go-To Alignment system. On average, it takes a new telescope user approximately 5 minutes to do a complete sky alignment with this telescope. Once aligned, the Celestron NexStar 5SE is incredibly easy to operate. This Celestron telescope yields super crisp images of the night sky and finds objects with dead-on accuracy once aligned.

The NexStar 5SE by Celestron sits on a sturdy tripod, offering maximum stability when looking at distant objects. The hand controller on the telescope allows you to move the scope at your discretion. The NexStar 5SE hand controller offers a night sky tour and quickly lets you locate planets, galaxies, or any of the 40,000 celestial objects in its database. 

 

 

NexStar 5 SE Key Features:

• Computerized hand control with a nearly 40,000 object database and motorized alt-azimuth mount
• Quick-release optical tube for easy no-tool setup
• StarBright XLT enhanced coatings for maximum light transmission and clarity.
• SkyAlign allows you to align any three bright objects for a fast and easy alignment process.
• StarPointer finderscope to help with alignment and accurately locating objects
• Flash upgradeable hand control; update your telescope’s operating software via the internet.
• All NexStar SE models are GPS-compatible and have an auxiliary port for use with additional accessories.
• Internal battery compartment to prevent cord wrap during use
• Includes NexRemote telescope control software for advanced control of your telescope via computer
• “THE SKY” Planetarium software – with a 10,000 object database, printable sky maps, and enhanced images
• Rigid, adjustable tripod for portability and convenience

NexStar 5SE Specifications:

• Optical Design: 5″ (125 mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain
• Focal Length: 1250 mm (f/10)
• Optical Coatings: StarBright XLT
• Optical Tube: Aluminum, metallic orange
• Mount: Single fork arm, alt-azimuth
• Dovetail: Quick-release tube clamp
• Hand Controller: Computerized Go To
• Eyepiece: 25 mm E-Lux (50x)
• Finderscope: Starpointer (Includes 3V CR2032 lithium button battery)
• Diagonal: 1.25″ prism star diagonal for 90° viewing
• Tripod: Pre-assembled steel with built-in wedge
• Tripod Dimensions (Collapsed): 28″ tall, 9″ x 9″
• Included Software: NexRemote and The Sky-Level 1
• Software Features: Camera control
• Camera Shutter Cable: Yes
• Power Supply: 8-AA batteries (not included)
• Highest Useful Magnification: 300x
• Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 13
• Resolution (Rayleigh): 1.1 arcsec
• Dawes Limit: 0.91 arcsec
• Light Gathering Power: 329x unaided eye
• Field of View: 1°
• Linear Field of View (at 1000 yards): 52.5 ft
• Optical Tube Length: 11″
• Telescope Weight: 17.6 lb
• Tripod Weight: 10 lb

Computer Control Specifications

• The NexStar 5SE computerized hand controller has a double-line, liquid crystal display with 19 LED backlit buttons.
• The database includes 40,000 objects with enhanced information on over 200 objects.
• Ability to add up to 400 user-defined objects
• Nine slew speeds
• Hand control, auxiliary, and camera control ports
• Sidereal, solar, and lunar tracking rates
• Alt-Azimuth, equatorial north, and equatorial south tracking modes
• GPS upgradable with Celestron’s CN-16 GPS accessory
• Several alignment options include SkyAlign, auto 2-star align, 1-star align, 2-star align, and solar system align.

 

About the 13-Piece 1.25″ Filter and Eyepiece Kit*

This Celestron NexStar 5SE telescope bundle includes five extra eyepieces, a 2X Barlow lens, a set of six colored filters, and an aluminum carry case to carry them all in!

This eyepiece and filter kit is a fantastic deal. It will allow you to match your telescope’s magnification to different types of celestial objects, such as the Moon, the planets, brighter compact deep-sky objects such as star clusters, and larger, more diffuse objects like galaxies and nebulae. Use any eyepieces alone, or pair them with the included 2X Barlow to double the magnification! Not counting any eyepieces you receive as standard equipment with your telescope, you will have ten (10) enlargements to choose from!

 

Viewing the planets

You will also receive six filters to use while viewing the planets. It takes some experimentation, but different colored filters will make details on a planet’s surface or cloud structure more prominent. These glass filters have threaded aluminum cells that screw onto the bottom of any eyepieces in this kit and other 1.25″ eyepieces you purchase later. Before long, you will know exactly which filter to use to more easily see, for instance, the polar ice caps on Mars or storms in the cloud structure of Jupiter.

All of the eyepieces and filters in this kit come stored in an aluminum case. Inside you will find protective foam that cushions your astronomy accessories. The case may be silver or black, depending on our availability. Still, either way, you will find some extra room for more telescope eyepieces, filters, or other small accessories.

 

About the AC Adapter

Enjoy your NexStar 5SE telescope without batteries with this AC adapter! You can enjoy hours of uninterrupted observing when using your telescope at home or near any indoor or outdoor wall outlet.

Check Price

 

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Reflector

 

With Smartphone & StarSense Explore App Assist!

Celestron has reinvented the manual telescope with the addition of the StarSense Explorer — the first telescope series that uses your smartphone to analyze the night sky and calculate its position on earth in real-time with the help of the free StarSense Explorer app for Apple and Android smartphones. 

 

StarSense Explorer telescopes are ideal for beginners, thanks to the app’s user-friendly interface and detailed tutorials. Still, more experienced amateur astronomers will also appreciate the 5″ reflector and fun technology that puts your smartphone to work. It’s like having your personal tour guide of the night sky.

Newtonian Reflector Telescope

The StarSense Explorer DX 130 mm Newtonian Reflector Telescope from Celestron is an excellent scope for anyone who wants a tech-savvy yet lightweight reflector. Placing your StarSense Explore app-enabled smartphone in the specially designed dock will analyze the night sky and calculate celestial object positions in real-time. The 5″ (130 mm) aluminized mirror can see hundreds of objects, including several planets, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, and a fast f/5 focal ratio produces very pleasing wide field views.

 

Key Features of a StarSense Explorer Telescope

• 5″ Newtonian reflector and its very user-friendly and lightweight manual mount provide many of the thrills of a computerized telescope…at a fraction of the cost!
• The breakthrough docking station works with your smartphone to give the StarSense Explorer app a real-time view of the sky, and the patented sky recognition technology takes it from there!
• The sky views are beautifully depicted on your smartphone screen updates as you move the telescope. No cell signal is required!
• Easy-to-use StarSense Explorer app creates a Tonight’s Best list, making it fast and easy to choose and look at a large selection of objects.
• Bright orange arrows show you the way to your chosen object! Just move the telescope as you watch the screen, and when the green bullseye appears, look in the eyepiece.
• StarSense Explorer telescopes can be used anywhere in the world and require no power, but your smartphone does, so we recommend you find a portable power supply to keep the good times rolling!

 

Celestron 130 mm StarSense Explorer DX

The Celestron 130 mm StarSense Explorer DX couldn’t be easier to use, but it has the light-gathering capability to see deep into the heavens. The telescope tube is a classic Newtonian reflector design with a big 5″ diameter mirror. 

The alt-azimuth mount has slip clutches and geared dual-axis slow-motion controls that allow you to move the telescope up, down, right, or left with almost no effort. Just turn the slow-motion control knob to re-center an object as it moves through your field of view. 

A full-sized metal tripod comes with a spreader bar for stability, topped off by a handy accessory storage tray. You can use the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ telescope without the help of your smartphone if you wish. Celestron has even included a red dot finder when you want to see if you can find objects all by yourself.

Check Price

 

Before purchasing 

Before purchasing one of the celestron telescopes for beginners, it is important to consider your desired outcome. Are you looking to observe distant star clusters, nebulas and galaxies?