Expert: Philip Stahl - 6/10/2008

Question
I want to buy a telescope, however I am a complete beginner. I always had an interest in space and love to stargaze. but I want to know what makes a good telescope?

Answer
Hello,

The biggest mistake that most beginners make is buying too much telescope. They then end up with an 8" Celestron, for example, but after trying to lug it out the first few times, quickly lose interest and it ends up collecting dust in a closet or basement.

This is why - for a beginner- what makes a "good telescope" will usually be different from the criteria for an experienced amateur astronomer. That is, for a beginner or just "star gazer", one wants:

- wide field

- ease of use

- portability


One telescope satifisfies all of these and to high quality, that is the Edmund Scientific Co. "Astroscan".

It is easily portable so you can take it out anytime to you wish, plus it affords a wide field of view. The magnification is enough to see most sky objects with crystal clarity such as the Pleiades, or the Orion (M42) Nebula. Plus you will be able to see Jupiter's moons, and Saturn's rings.  The Moon will appear as a superb object, and many craters, "seas" etc. can be made out.

You can read more about this telescope here:

http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp?pn=3002001&bhcd2=1213118934