Stargazing Tool Guide

Hello and welcome, fellow dreamer!

Whenever someone new to stargazing asks me what is the best telescope for a beginner, my answer is almost always "binoculars"!
If you already have binoculars and you're ready to step it up, a telescope really opens up the universe.
I found a really great family-owned business called All-Star Telescope. Not only do they have an amazing selection of telescopes and binoculars, but they ship internationally, and are happy to help with any questions you may have.

If you purchase anything through the links below, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. These commissions support the work I do sharing my take on the night sky with you. My promise to you is that I will only ever recommend products I would use myself.

Binoculars

Binoculars are really the best way to dip your toes a little deeper than with your naked eye. They're affordable, easy to use, and require no setup, so you're much more likely to use them! And they truly open up an incredible number of beautiful things to see in the cosmos.

Honestly, ANY pair of binoculars can be used to look at the night sky and improve your view, but the number one thing to consider is how wide the lenses are, because that's what determines how much light they take in and how bright the stars will be!

(The first number in their name refers to how much magnification they offer while the second number indicates the width of the lenses in mm.)

GREAT ENTRY-LEVEL CHOICE: Cometron 7x50

The Celestron Cometron 7x50 binoculars are a fantastic entry-level choice and won't break the bank. Their 50mm of aperture will gather lots of starlight and the 7x magnification will allow you to see beautiful wide views like the Andromeda Galaxy, the Hyades star cluster and lots more.

BEST VERSATILITY: Skymaster 9x63

The Celestron Skymaster 9x63 binoculars are a really high quality step up. The extra aperture and magnification will bring details a little closer and allow you to see the moons of Jupiter, as well as reveal really sharp detail on the surface of our moon. Bonus: these are waterproof so you can use them for bird-watching in any weather!

MOST POWERFUL: Skymaster 15x70

The Celestron Skymaster 15x70 are a very powerful pair of binoculars! These will really bring you in close to the stars and show incredible detail on the moon, reveal the rings of Saturn, and give you unparalleled views of star clusters and galaxies. They come with a tripod adapter since at that magnification, it can be difficult to keep them steady by hand. Bonus: these are also waterproof so you can use them for bird-watching in any weather!

Telescopes

My favourite line of telescopes, especially for beginners, is Celestron's Starsense Explorer line. They are very well made by a trusted telescope manufacturer (my main telescope is a Celestron from the 70s and it still works beautifully!) and they're perfect for people starting out because they use simple technology paired with your smartphone to help guide you around the cosmos.

Telescopes are also great for people with kids because once you've set it up and pointed it in the right direction, all they have to do is look through the eyepiece and have their little minds blown!

Using a telescope can be frustrating if you don't know where to look in the vastness of space, but the Starsense Explorer technology helps you find your way, all at a much more affordable price than the more complex automatic telescopes.

Here are my top choices...

Most affordable and easiest to operate - great for kids: Starsense Explorer LT 80AZ

This is a classic refractor telescope and will show you beautiful views of the moon, the planets, and the brightest deep-sky objects.

Long focal length - best deal for planetary observation: Starsense Explorer LT 114AZ

This entry-level reflector telescope packs a lot of focal length for the price, making it ideal for looking at the planets. You’ll get great views of Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s Great Red Spot and Galilean moons, and very sharp close-ups of the rugged terrain of our own moon. It's a reflector telescope so is a little more bulky and a little less intuitive to use, but will give much better views.

Next step up, wider aperture allows to see many fainter night sky jewels: Starsense Explorer DX 130AZ

This one is perfect for getting deeper into deep-sky observing (galaxies, star clusters, nebulae) because it has a much wider aperture, allowing it to collect more light from dim, faraway celestial objects. It's a reflector telescope so is a little more bulky and a little less intuitive to use, but will give much better views.

For those with space, who don't need portability: Starsense Explorer 8" Dobsonian

This is the one you get if you’re really ready to dive deep! The 8 inches of aperture make it ideal for looking at lots of much dimmer deep sky targets. The Dobsonian design is relatively easy to operate and considered a staple in the amateur astronomy community.

Bonus accessory

To take photos through your telescope using your smartphone (this is the one I use during livestreams): Celestron Smartphone Adaptor

Solar eclipse viewing

With April 2024’s total solar eclipse over North America, now is a great time to equip yourself with everything you need to view this fantastic event safely!

It’s extremely important to never look at the sun directly, even during a partial or annular eclipse. The only time that is safe to look without proper eye protection is during the total phase of a total solar eclipse, if you are in the narrow path of totality. The only way to observe the sun at any other time, including during a solar eclipse, is with certified solar filters. These filters block 100% of harmful UV and infrared light and 99.999% of visible light.

I have a few suggestions for different budgets and viewing methods, from solar glasses to solar binoculars to solar telescopes. Keep in mind that all of these could very well sell out weeks or even months before the eclipses, as everyone across the continent prepares for the events.

Solar eclipse glasses - most affordable choice

These certified Baader Solar Eclipse Glasses will allow you to stare directly at the sun during the eclipse to see the silhouette of the moon appear to take a bite out of the sun. They add no magnification but will protect your eyes for safe viewing.

Solar binoculars - most portable magnification

These Celestron EclipSmart 12x50 Solar Binoculars are the easiest way to get a close-up view of a solar eclipse, or any other solar observation.

With 10x magnification, you get to experience the shape of the partially eclipsed sun in a breathtaking way, without needing a tripod or any kind of setup. Just look through and enjoy the view! And they’re super easy to pack in your luggage if you need to travel to see the eclipse.

Celestron Solar Safe filter technology is GUARANTEED SAFE for direct solar observation and has been independently tested by SAI Global Assurance Services.

Solar telescope - most magnification, can be used for photography

This Celestron EclipSmart Travel Solar Scope is the best option if you want to get a really close view of the eclipses or any other solar viewing. It’s still very portable and comes with a backpack, so you can take it anywhere.

This telescope comes with everything you need for solar viewing, and if you want to step it up a notch and get some photos to immortalize the eclipse, you can get the Celestron Smartphone Adaptor! It’ll allow you to connect your phone directly to the eyepiece of any telescope to take photos. A fun and easy way to get started in astrophotography.

Celestron Solar Safe filter technology is GUARANTEED SAFE for direct solar observation and has been independently tested by SAI Global Assurance Services.

Solar filters - for those who already have a telescope

If you already own a telescope and you’d like to make use of it for observing the solar eclipses or other solar phenomena, get yourself a Kendrick Solar Filter! These filters come in various sizes to fit any telescope. Note that the size of the filter should correspond to the outside dimensions of the front end of your optical tube, not the size of your telescope’s primary lens or mirror.

I hope you find something that strikes your fancy and don't be shy to send this link to your loved ones if there's anything in here that belongs on your wish-list! 😉

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