An astronomy telescope is a scope that allows individuals to see the planets and stars in greater clarity than they can see them with the naked eye. It is not only fun to do, but it can be an activity that both adults and children can share in interest and enjoyment. But, how do you know which telescope to buy? There are so many different kinds, sizes, magnifications, and prices that it can be very intimidating to purchase your first astronomy telescope without some information and education first. Here are some basic guidelines that you can follow when making your choice:

Reflective, Refractive, or Compound? These terms refer to the types of lenses and the way that the images are collected. A reflective scope uses mirrors to collect light and focus the images while a refractive uses curved glass lenses, and the compound astronomy telescope uses a combination of the two.

The cost of a reflective telescope makes it an attractive choice. Mirrors are inexpensive and easy to replace. It is also good for deep space viewing. The disadvantage is that it the mirrors sometimes do not provide the clarity of the refractive scope and sometimes the mirrors are jostled loose.

The refractive astronomy telescope is good for viewing planets and stars. It has very clear images and is easy to maintain. The cost is the main prohibitive factor to most beginning astronomers.

The compound telescope is also on the pricier end of the astronomy telescope family. It is used most often by serious astronomers and those who make a career of astronomy because of the clarity of images and the ability to see images in deep space. This is probably not the best choice for novice star-watchers.

One of the main considerations that you should think about when you are purchasing an astronomy telescope is the aperture. This is a measurement of the ability of the telescope to let light in and also the ability to focus that light. This is a more important measure of the telescope?s abilities than the magnification. The bigger the aperture, the better the telescope will be.

Another important consideration is mounting and portability. If you are going to be moving your astronomy telescope from place to place or taking hiking or camping, you will want a smaller scope with an easy to manage mount. The alt-azimuth mount allows the astronomy telescope to move up and down vertically and side to side horizontally from a central axis-this is perfect for beginners. A more advanced astronomy telescope user might like an equatorial mount which not only allows vertical and horizontal movement, but also sliding from side to side on a perpendicular mount to follow the movement of stars and planets.

As you research your choices you will find a lot more information which can be helpful in deciding the best telescope for you and your family.