Guides

In-depth articles on choosing the right telescope, understanding optics, and getting started with astronomy.

The Moon as seen from NASA's Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II flyby

Artemis II Moon Telescope Guide: How to Observe the Mission from Your Backyard

NASA's Artemis II crew completed a historic lunar flyby. Here's how amateur astronomers can observe the same features with a backyard telescope, plus what comes next.

April 7, 2026

Smart telescopes arranged on a table under a starry night sky

Buying Guides17 min read

Best Smart Telescopes (2026)

We ranked every smart telescope from $275 to $4,599. The ZWO Seestar S50 leads the pack at $499, but the best pick depends on your budget and goals.

March 30, 2026

DWARFLAB DWARF 3 smart telescope set up under a night sky

Reviews13 min read

DWARFLAB DWARF 3 Review: Dual-Lens Smart Telescope Tested

Hands-on DWARF 3 review covering real-world performance, dual-optics system, comparison to Seestar S50 and S30, and who should buy this $519 smart telescope.

March 30, 2026

Premium telescope setup in a backyard observatory with the Milky Way overhead

Buying Guides20 min read

Best Telescopes Under $1,000 (2026)

The best telescopes under $1,000 for serious hobbyists. GoTo SCTs, smart telescopes, tabletop Dobsonians, and more, ranked by our scoring algorithm.

March 29, 2026

Budget telescope on a tripod in a backyard with the Moon visible overhead

Buying Guides14 min read

Best Telescopes Under $200 (2026)

The best telescopes under $200 that actually work. From 70mm travel scopes to 127mm reflectors, honest picks ranked by value.

March 29, 2026

Binoculars and a small telescope side by side on a blanket under the stars

Educational15 min read

Binoculars vs Telescope for Stargazing: Which Should You Buy?

Should you start with binoculars or a telescope for astronomy? An honest comparison of what each shows you, plus when to upgrade.

March 29, 2026

Side-by-side comparison of a Dobsonian telescope and a Newtonian on an equatorial mount

Educational17 min read

Dobsonian vs Newtonian Telescopes: What's the Difference?

A Dobsonian IS a Newtonian reflector, just on a different mount. Learn why that matters and which design is right for your goals.

March 29, 2026

Child looking through a telescope at the night sky

Buying Guides25 min read

Best Telescopes for Kids (2026)

Age-appropriate telescope picks for kids 6-14 that won't end up in the closet. Scored for ease of use, portability, and value.

March 28, 2026

Telescope pointed at the night sky with Saturn visible

Buying Guides23 min read

Best Telescopes for Seeing Planets and Galaxies (2026)

The best telescopes for seeing planets like Saturn and Jupiter, plus galaxies and nebulae. Ranked by our planetary and deep sky scores.

March 28, 2026

Five different telescope types arranged on a hilltop under a starry night sky

Educational21 min read

Types of Telescopes Explained: A Complete Guide

The 5 telescope types in our database, how they work, what they're best at, and who they're for. Real data from 152 telescopes.

March 28, 2026

Telescope on equatorial mount capturing the night sky with a camera attached

Buying Guides24 min read

Best Telescopes for Astrophotography (2026)

The best astrophotography telescopes for deep sky imaging, planetary capture, and smart automated imaging. Ranked by our astrophoto score.

March 27, 2026

Collection of budget telescopes arranged on a wooden deck under a starry sky

Buying Guides14 min read

Best Telescopes Under $300 (2026)

The best telescopes under $300 ranked by value. From 70mm grab-and-go refractors to 130mm motorized reflectors, find the right scope for your budget.

March 27, 2026

$A Newtonian reflector and achromat refractor side by side under a night sky$

Educational17 min read

Reflector vs Refractor Telescopes: Which Design Is Right for You?

Data-driven comparison of reflector and refractor telescopes. Real specs, scores, and pricing from 78 telescopes to help you pick the right optical design.

March 27, 2026

Beginner telescope set up on a backyard patio at dusk with the Moon visible in the sky

Buying Guides15 min read

Best Telescopes for Beginners (2026)

We scored 150+ telescopes on beginner-friendliness, value, and ease of setup. Here are the 8 best starter telescopes for every budget.

March 26, 2026

Collection of telescopes at various price points arranged on a wooden surface

Buying Guides12 min read

Best Telescopes Under $500 (2026)

Every telescope under $500 in our database, ranked by value score. Data-driven picks for the most aperture, features, and quality per dollar.

March 25, 2026