Urban stargazing in 2024: Which telescope is best for light polluted areas?
With light pollution being an ever increasing issue for night sky enthusiasts, one of the most common questions we get asked is “what is the best telescope for stargazing in light polluted skies?” To answer this question, we have to take a look at the most important factor when it comes to choosing a telescope: the aperture size. The larger the aperture, the more light you can collect, and therefore the brighter the object will be within your eyepiece. A large aperture will help you collect as much detail as possible amidst the murk of light pollution!
Not only is aperture important to consider, but it’s also important to keep in mind the telescope’s ease of use, its setup speed, and of course, your particular budget. Taking all of these factors into account will help you in choosing the right telescope for your needs, and will ensure you’re getting the most out of your nights under the stars. With that in mind, our team of gear experts have done the homework for you, curating a list of telescopes that are ideal for stargazing from your backyard or driveway. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Apertura AD8 Dobsonian
Apertura AD8 Dobsonian 8" Telescope -
Ranked number one, the AD8 is arguably the best price-per-inch of aperture telescope on this list, and is capable of showing you a plethora of deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters as well as planets, comets, the Moon and more! Any amateur astronomer will tell you that an 8” Dobsonian is one they will always have in their arsenal of scopes, and the AD8 is no exception. This manual telescope combines simplicity and impressive light gathering power for the ultimate highly-detailed viewing experience. With just 3-5 minutes of setup time needed after initial assembly, you’ll be observing in no time. Plus, you can use just about any eyepiece on the market to improve your visual experience as you see fit!
âś“ Best price-per-inch of aperture, delivering stunning sights
âś“ Portable enough to take to local parks and recreational areas
âś“ Base stays assembled for easy transportation
âś“ Plenty of upgrades and accessories available to enhance your experience
Recommended accessories
Celestron NexStar 8SE
Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope Bundle -
Our second pick, the Celestron NexStar 8SE, is by far the most versatile of the telescopes on this list. With 8 inches of aperture, locating night sky objects is a breeze, and a fully Go-To computerized system reduces the need to manually find the objects you're interested in viewing. It's portable, it's reliable, and it’s highly regarded amongst the amateur astronomy community. Tack on a smartphone adapter to capture the Moon, or a DSLR for short exposure astrophotography of the planets or deep space objects and you'll open up yet another door to many more awe-inspiring nights under the stars.
âś“ Fully GoTo system to spend less time finding objects, and more time observing
âś“ Provides bright, detailed views
âś“ Allows you to connect your smartphone or camera for astrophotography
âś“ Assembles and disassembles in a cinch
Recommended accessories
Celestron NexStar 6SE
Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope Bundle -
Our next pick for top urban skygazing telescopes, the NexStar 6SE, offers everything the 8SE does but in a more portable and price-sensitive package. While this telescope has a smaller aperture, 6” still provides fantastic detail on the Moon, the planets, and plenty of deep space objects. Also, the smaller frame makes it easier to set up in your backyard. Fitted on the reliable NexStar single fork arm mount, effortlessly slew to 40,000+ objects in a snap! Interested in short exposure astrophotography? Just like the Celestron 8SE, easily add your DSLR, planetary camera, or smartphone with a smartphone adapter to capture images to share with friends and family.
✓ 6” mirror will allow you access to many celestial wonders
âś“ Fully GoTo system for effortless target centering
âś“ Weighing less than 30 lbs., transporting your scope to your backyard or a dark sky site is a breeze
âś“ Assembles and disassembles in a cinch
Recommended accessories
Apertura AD12 Dobsonian
Apertura AD12 12” Dobsonian -
If you’re looking for serious light gathering power, we highly recommend the Apertura 12” Dobsonian! Even under Bortle class 7, you can see marvelous detail on the Orion Nebula. When paired with a user-supplied UHC filter, this scope reveals even more detail, particularly on emission and planetary nebulae. While rather large and less portable than other telescopes, it can still be transported to darker areas, and provides unparalleled clarity and resolution. In these darker conditions, the AD12 truly shines, delivering breathtaking sights of star clusters, dim nebulae, and plenty more! This light gathering powerhouse is sure to impress anyone that views through its eyepiece, making it the perfect choice for urban stargazers.
✓ Massive 12” primary mirror
âś“ Unrivaled light gathering power and resolution
âś“ Large, but manageable for trips to dark skies
Recommended accessories
Apertura AD10 Dobsonian
Apertura AD10 Dobsonian 10" Telescope -
Offering 125% the light gathering power than the AD8, this AD10 is a great choice for those looking to up their visual game! With 10" of aperture, the Apertura AD10 will reveal Jupiter and its moons, Saturn and its rings, as well as Mars, the "Red Planet." Not only this, but when paired with user supplied light pollution filters, such as a UHC filter or a Moon and Skyglow filter, you have the ability to reveal beautiful detail on emission nebulae—even from the city. While larger than the AD8, setup is still quick and easy, making it ideal for setting up in the backyard. Just like the other Apertura Dobsonians on this list, this AD10 comes fitted with two eyepieces, a laser collimator, and a Moon filter to get you ready for your nights under the stars.
✓ 10” of light gathering power
âś“ Provides stunning sights on a plethora of objects within your eyepiece
âś“ Dobsonian base makes it easy to navigate the night sky
Recommended accessories
With these top picks for the best telescopes for urban stargazing, you’re well equipped in exploring the cosmos from the comfort of your own home! Not only do the large apertures deliver stunning views, but the user-friendly design ensures you’ll get the most out of your nights under the stars. No matter if you’re setting up in your backyard or driveway, any of these telescopes are sure to provide awe-inspiring experiences for years to come.
Lastly, if you’re looking to take pictures of the moon or planets with any of these scopes, we recommend the Apertura Smartphone Astrophotography Adapter . The adapter clamps to any eyepiece and allows you to attach your smartphone for snapping great pictures with ease! If you are looking to attach a DSLR to any of the above, please reach out to our non-commissioned product advisors and we’ll provide you the correct adapters for your camera.
Click the arrow above to see MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style citations.
MLA:
High Point Scientific Team. "Best Telescopes for Urban Stargazing," AstronomyHub, High Point Scientific, 22 Oct. 2024, https://www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/best-telescopes-for-urban-stargazing.
APA:
High Point Scientific Team. (2024, October 22). Best telescopes for urban stargazing. High Point Scientific. https://www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/best-telescopes-for-urban-stargazing
Chicago Manual of Style:
Bibliography:
High Point Scientific Team. "Best Telescopes for Urban Stargazing," AstronomyHub (blog), High Point Scientific, October 22, 2024. https://www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/best-telescopes-for-urban-stargazing.
Footnote:
High Point Scientific Team, "Best Telescopes for Urban Stargazing," AstronomyHub, High Point Scientific, October 22, 2024. https://www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/best-telescopes-for-urban-stargazing.
This Article was Originally Posted on October 20th, 2020
