Introduction
More and more teenagers are becoming fascinated with Astronomy and the Universe we live in. Whilst most junior or senior high schools don’t seem to cover Astronomy in depth apart from maybe an earth science course here and there, teens are wanting a more hands-on approach so that they’re not just bound to their classrooms and a book.
They must have gadgets through which they can learn how things are happening in the universe. Don’t let your kids rely on dry facts that have been published in textbooks only regarding space. Provide the facilities to turn Astronomy into a living subject right before their eyes.
If your teenager is expressing his or her desires in choosing the astronomy field as a career then you must try and nurture them by providing the one tool needed in their journey which is a telescope. Although finding the best telescope for your teen that meets their demands and requirements at best may seem hard to find but not impossible.
There are hundreds of types and models of telescopes to choose from in every price range you can imagine so it may seem like an impossible task to figure out which one is right for them.
The type of telescope your teenager will need will depend on several factors such as their interest level in the subject or perhaps the budget you can afford. Since most people cannot afford to dish out several hundred dollars or more for a half-decent scope you may have to compromise on the performance level of the particular scope you decide to invest in.
Let’s have a detailed review of the best telescopes for teenagers who are just starting in Astronomy.
Table Of Contents
PRODUCT REVIEWS:
The Orion SpaceProbe 130 is considered as the best easy to use and powerful telescope for teenagers. SpaceProbe comes with the best combination of quality, features, power, magnification, and values that are the required specifications of a telescope a teenager needs.
It is featured with an EQ-2 equatorial mount and adjustable tripod which allows for manual slow-motion tracking with which you can navigate the sky easily.
The 130ST EQ is a step up from the standard SpaceProbe 130 EQ and it is for the most serious or intermediate stargazers who are looking for additional performance, especially when targeting deep-sky objects.
The “ST” stands for “Short Tube” because it is a more compact version than the standard model and measures just 24″ long. The focal length of the ST’s primary mirror is 650mm or f/5 which yields a much wider field of view producing much brighter images.
It has a 130mm aperture primary mirror which is a diffraction-limited parabolic mirror, this is the same type of mirror that can be found on much larger reflector telescopes that cost much more money.
Parabolic mirrors are used for focusing the incoming light to a point so it can deliver sharp, detailed images we all want to see.
Pros:
- Higher Quality Which = Better viewing
- Orion Brand Name Known For Great Telescopes
- Detailed Instructions
- Freebies included – Starry Night astronomy software, tools for assembly and more
- Weighs just 27lbs.
Cons:
- It requires a little bit of extra work to assemble
- Tripod could be a little more sturdier
Our Conclusion:
It’s hard to find a good beginner telescope under the $500 price range that will give you the power you need for viewing objects clearly in the night sky but there are certainly telescopes out there that will do just that, and this scope is one of them.
The price tag on this one makes it one of our top 3 picks. It is affordable to most people and it certainly will provide the user with many pleasurable years of use because of it’s solid construction.
The Orion brand is a name trusted in the Telescope market and they stand behind their products, which makes this telescope our #1 pick overall when choosing the best telescope for teenagers or beginners.
The StarBlast 6 is a table top reflector telescope that’s fun and simple. Some people like table top telescopes and some people don’t, it’s just a matter of preference. Being a table top scope doesn’t take away from it’s capabilities or power so if your looking for something with a tripod then this won’t be the scope for you.
Now lets take a closer look at the Orion StarBlast 6.
It has a substantial 6″ aperture reflector that can reveal good detail on the Moon or other Planets, you can also see bright deep-sky objects such as nebula’s, galaxies, and other star clusters. Some folks don’t appreciate reflector scopes but in my opinion reflectors provide the best performance for the investment.
The StarBlast 6 has a Focal length of 750mm witha 150mm Optical diameter.
It includes an Orion EZ Finder ll red dot sight which helps with aiming the telescope more accurately at objects in the sky such as the Moon or bright planets. Once the telescope is aligned all you need to do is turn on the EZ Finder ll and look through the sight’s viewing window so you can see the red dot, then move the telescope until the red dot is on the object that you want to see.
The package also comes with 2 eye pieces to provide you with different magnification options to choose from. One is lower power and the other is higher power. The 25mm eyepiece will obtain 30x viewing for night time scanning of the sky and the 10mm will obtain 75x to see objects with more magnification. The eye pieces can be fitted with optional Orion filters which are sold separately.
Pros:
- Quite easy to use
- Can cater to the needs of teenagers and professionals
- One of the lightest models weighs just 25lbs when fully assembled
- Provide amazingly detailed images of celestial and terrestrial objects
- Tabletop model – makes it an ideal telescope for those with mobility issues
- Assembly is very easy
Cons:
- Some people don’t like tabletop telescopes
- You have to provide your own tabletop or stand for use
Our Conclusion:
This is another telescope to consider based on price and functionality that will serve it’s user well in years to come. As I stated previously this is a tabletop model that some buyers may not appreciate, however if you have younger folks using it that are either clumsy or have mobility issues then this model is the perfect choice.
The price tag on this model makes it in our top 3 picks. It has a higher focal length and aperture than the SpaceProbe 130ST.
The Orion brand is a name trusted in the Telescope market and they stand behind their products, which makes this telescope our #2 pick overall when searching for a great scope.
This is a more price conscious version of the Orion SpaceProbe featuring the long tube Newtonian reflector design. This particular model has a 900mm focal length making it an ideal telescope for viewing wide- field deep sky objects such as distant galaxies or nebulas and star clusters.
It has a 130mm optics for fantastic views of distant planets and the Moon. The mount is a EQ-2 equatorial that has 2 slow motion control knobs so you can control what your looking at in the eyepiece for extended viewing.
It comes with 2 eyepieces, a 25mm and a 10mm focal lengths for different viewing magnifications, a 6×30 finder scope for easy aiming, collimation cap, dust caps, accessory tray and Starry Night software, collapsible aluminum tripod and more.
It is a great telescope for a beginner wanting to get into the hobby. It is extremely portable making transport to different locations a breeze.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight designed for travelers – just 26.5lbs
- High-quality construction for durability
- Adaptable for use in different situations
- Great price-performance ratio
- Cost effective
Cons:
- Not great for taking photos, you will probably will have to get a Barlow eye piece for that
- Some may find the control knobs of the mount a bit of a challenge.
Our Conclusion:
Considering the lower price range for this telescope it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to power. Although you may want to upgrade with duel finders and some better eyepieces down the road to really make this scope shine.
The price tag on this model makes it in our top 3 picks. Although it is a step down from the 2 other models being reviewed it still made the cut.
The Orion brand is a name trusted in the Telescope market and they stand behind their products, which makes this telescope our #3 pick overall when searching for a entry level scope.
Final Words
The above-described guide elaborates on the best telescope for teenagers with detailed reviews and pros and cons. Go through it before purchasing for your teen to get a rough idea regarding performance factors and specifications!
You can also check out some of our other beginner telescopes here.