Telescope Suggestions

Maddie, is the telescope for you or is it a gift for a child? If it's for a kid, I wouldn't spend a ton in case the novelty wears off quickly.

In that case, Maddie, I recommend the Celestron Inspire 100AZ refractor telescope which is very affordable at $300. It's lightweight and easy to use, so you can lug it around to your classroom without any hassle. It's also affordable enough that you won't cringe when a careless student bangs it around a bit.

I have the Orion StarBlast II 4.5 EQ, and it's great for viewing the stars, planets, and moon. I used to have the Unistellar eVscope 2, and it was a fantastic telescope. It's motorized, which I really appreciated. You can even take pictures right from the telescope itself. I had to sell it off when I moved into a tiny apartment abroad. You can't go wrong with either of those two.

That sounds like a great Christmas present. I'm glad that everything worked out, Maddie. You'll get the hang of the telescope in no time, I'm sure.

The best telescope for you will depend on your individual needs and interests because numerous different types and models of telescopes are available. But I suggest you go for Reflector telescopes, which use mirrors to reflect light and form an image, are generally more affordable and offer good value for beginners.