Telescope Size Ultimate Guide

This article covers a brief description of telescopes of 2-16 inches available on the market. Whether you want to buy a telescope for your kids or for astrophotography or just to view planets and galaxies, this article may guide you to the best option you are looking for. You will also be able to compare…

16-inch Telescopes (406mm)

What is a 16-inch telescope? A 16-inch telescope, also known as a 16-inch reflector or Ritchey-Chrétien telescope, is a large optical instrument designed for astronomical observations in the visible and near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The primary purpose of a 16-inch telescope is to collect light, allowing for the observation of faint and distant…

15-inch Telescopes (381mm)

What is a 15-inch telescope? A 15-inch telescope is a large optical instrument with an aperture of 381 mm (15 inches), allowing it to gather a significant amount of light for enhanced resolution and magnification capabilities. The focal length of a 15-inch telescope typically ranges from 1500 to 2000 mm, with an example like the…

14-inch Telescopes (355mm)

What is a 14-inch telescope? A 14-inch telescope is a powerful optical instrument designed for observing celestial objects in the night sky. It features a significant aperture that determines its light-gathering power and resolution, enabling astronomers to capture clear and detailed images of stars, planets, galaxies, and deep space objects. The telescope’s focal length is…

12-inch Telescopes (305mm)

What is a 12-inch telescope? A 12-inch telescope is a powerful optical instrument designed for amateur astronomers to observe deep-sky objects with enhanced clarity and detail. It features a 12x magnification power, making celestial objects appear larger and more defined. The telescope’s primary function is to capture bright and contrasty images of outer space through…

11-inch Telescopes (279mm)

What is a 11-inch telescope? An 11-inch telescope is a robust astronomical instrument that boasts a substantial aperture of 279mm, enabling exceptional light-gathering capabilities and high-resolution imaging. The telescope’s computerized control system streamlines object location and tracking, making it user-friendly for novice stargazers. The focal length of an 11-inch telescope is influenced by the aperture…

10-inch Telescopes (254mm)

What is a 10-inch telescope? A 10-inch telescope, such as the Orion SkyQuest XT10g, is a versatile optical instrument designed for observing a wide array of celestial objects, including planets, stars, galaxies, and nebulae. With its substantial light-gathering power, it offers exceptional performance in capturing high-quality images for astrophotography, particularly of deep-sky objects like galaxies…

9.25-inch Telescopes (235mm)

What is a 9.25-inch telescope? A 9.25-inch telescope, known for its large aperture size, boasts a significant light-gathering ability and high resolution in observing celestial objects. The aperture of this telescope, approximately 25 inches in diameter, allows for a maximum magnification power of around 120x to 250x, with a theoretical limit of 463x, making it…

8-inch Telescopes (203mm)

What is a 8-inch telescope? An 8-inch telescope is a powerful optical instrument designed for observing celestial objects with exceptional detail and clarity. With over 800 times the light-gathering power compared to the naked eye, an 8-inch telescope can discern objects as close as 1.16 arcseconds apart, making it ideal for observing planets, stars, galaxies,…

7-inch Telescopes (180mm)

What is a 7-inch telescope? A 7-inch telescope is a versatile and powerful optical instrument that offers exceptional performance in observing celestial objects. With a price range that caters to both beginners and seasoned astronomers, this telescope is a popular choice for stargazing enthusiasts. Its 7-inch aperture provides superior light-gathering ability, making it 126 times…

6-inch Telescopes (150mm)

What is a 6-inch telescope? A 6-inch telescope, also known as a 150mm telescope, is a portable optical instrument that offers a balance between functionality and portability, making it a potential candidate for the “perfect” amateur telescope. The 6-inch aperture of the telescope determines its light-gathering power and ability to resolve fine details, allowing it…

5-inch Telescopes (127-130mm)

What is a 5-inch telescope? A 5-inch telescope is a type of telescope with an aperture (the diameter of the objective lens) of 5 inches (127-130 mm). It is considered a medium-sized telescope, ideal for amateur astronomers and kids. A 5-inch telescope is a powerful optical instrument designed for observing celestial objects in the night…

4-inch Telescopes (100-120mm)

What is a 4-inch telescope? A 4-inch telescope is an amateur telescope with an aperture size of 4 inches or approximately 100mm. The diameter of the objective lens or mirror in a 4-inch telescope is typically around 4 inches, which is smaller than larger telescopes, resulting in a narrower field of view. The focal length…

3-inch Telescopes (76-94mm)

What is a 3-inch telescope? A 3-inch telescope is a type of small-size telescope that has an aperture (the diameter of the objective lens) of 3-3.75 inch (76-94 mm). The aperture size determines the light-gathering power and resolution of the telescope, with larger apertures collecting more light and providing clearer images. 3-inch telescopes are ideal…

2-inch Telescopes (50-70mm)

What is a 2-inch telescope? A 2-inch telescope is a type of refracting or reflecting telescope that is used for both terrestrial applications and astronomy. The 2-inch measurement refers to the diameter of the telescope’s main optical component, which is either an objective lens or a primary mirror. The significance of the aperture in a…