Telescopes

Refractors, Newtonian reflectors, Dobsonians and catadioptric telescopes.

Beginner telescopesFirst scopes that work DobsoniansBig aperture, simple mount

RefractorsSharp, low-maintenance views

CatadioptricsSCTs and Maksutovs

Telescopes

Beginner telescopes

ComparisonRefractor vs Reflector vs Catadioptric Telescopes Compared

Telescope types

Telescope types compared: refractors, reflectors and Dobsonians, and Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov designs, by aperture per dollar, upkeep and targets.

Telescopes

Dobsonians

Buying guideTelescope Aperture and Magnification Explained

Optics basics

Why aperture matters more than magnification: how to calculate magnification, the maximum useful power, focal ratio, resolution and how seeing limits the view.