Beginner telescopesĪ decent-sized aperture and good quality optics for the price, the Orion GoScope 80 is set up to make astronomy easy for the beginner.

If, on the other hand, you're looking for an instrument for a young astronomer, be sure to check out our pick of the very best telescopes for kids. We've also rounded up the top rated telescopes under $500 along with the very best deals and discounts, whether you're looking for a refractor, reflector or computerized model for your skywatching needs.

Check out today's deals on Celestron, Skywatcher, Meade, and Orion models.

To help you save a little money on your chosen telescope, we not only list the cheapest prices today in this article, but we also have a variety of separate articles on the best deals right now. Many of the top-rated telescopes will come with technology - or computerized GoTo systems - that allow you to align your telescope with the night sky at the touch of a button, usually with a smartphone or hand controller, and many are compatible with all the tools you'll need for astrophotography too. If you're just trying to get a better look at the night sky, and want to be more mobile, or if you're not quite ready for a telescope just yet, we recommend picking a pair of the best binoculars instead. Most instruments come fully-equipped with tripods, eyepieces, and everything else you need to get started, although - be warned - some vary in the time it takes to get set up. When you're choosing the best telescope for you, it's important to consider exactly what you'd like to observe: is it the craters of the moon and planets of the solar system, 'faint fuzzies' such as the Triangulum Galaxy (Messier 33) and Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8), or are you looking for an instrument that will reveal a plethora of objects? For getting closer looks at deep-sky targets, there's no substitute for a reflector telescope with excellent light-gathering prowess, while a refractor will serve you well in grabbing exquisite views of the solar system. And while telescope prices can be quite high, we've picked a selection of models from the most reliable manufacturers to suit your budget. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer, who loves to chase exquisite views of deep-sky targets such as galaxies and nebulas, or you're a beginner who wants to take their first step into skywatching, you're guaranteed to find a telescope that suits your needs in the list below. If you're looking for the best telescopes, then you've come to the right place.

How to connect reflector 2