8 Best Telescopes in India For Viewing Planets & Galaxies (2024)

To get better visuals of planets, stars, galaxies, and deep space, you need the best telescope in India, which is Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Motor Drive Telescope. You can use this reflector telescope for astronomical purposes as well as astrophotography. Together with the 130 mm objective lens diameter and 650 mm focal length, watch the moon’s craters, Saturn’s rings, and faraway nebulas with ease. So, if you are a beginner, rest assured that it will solve your requirements.

Based on factors like optical design, mount, aperture, focal length, magnification, light-gathering power, and price, we have listed a total of 8 worthiest telescopes to buy in India (2024). So, let’s explore what they are good at!

Best telescope in India

The Best Telescopes In India At A Reasonable Price (2024)

TelescopesOptical DesignMountingApertureFocal LengthHighest Magnification
Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Motor Drive TelescopeReflectorEquatorial130 mm650 mm307x
Celestron Powerseeker 70Az TelescopeRefractor Altazimuth70 mm700 mm165x
Celestron Speciality Series Travel Scope 70 TelescopeRefractorAltazimuth70 mm400 mm165x
Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ TelescopeRefractorEquatorial80 mm900 mm189x
Celestron PowerSeeker 60EQ TelescopeRefractorEquatorial60 mm900 mm142x
Celestron Speciality Series FirstScope TelescopeReflectorDobsonian76 mm 300 mm180x
Pullox Astronomical TelescopeRefractor Altazimuth76 mm700 mm175x
SSEA Refractor TelescopeReflectorAltazimuth60 mm700 mm175x

1. Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Motor Drive Telescope

Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Motor Drive Telescope

Product Highlights

  • Optical Design: Reflector
  • Mount Type: Equatorial
  • Aperture: 130 mm
  • Focal Length: 650 mm
  • Highest Useful Magnification: 307x
  • Lowest Useful Magnification: 19x
  • Tripod: 1.25-inch steel tube legs
  • Warranty: 2 years

How Useful Is Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Telescope?

This equatorial mount telescope has an aperture of 130 mm, which increases the light gathering ability, allowing you to watch distant planets and galaxies that are not visible to the naked eye. Hence you can get the absolute delight of seeing the Andromeda galaxy, the rings of Saturn and Jupiter with its 4 moons.

You get to magnify the images upto 307x, which is very useful for exploring deep space. Besides, its motor drive will rotate the scope automatically to follow the celestial objects, which keep changing with the earth’s rotation. This is a great benefit for astrophotography with a long exposure time.

While your physical location and weather conditions greatly influence the clarity of images produced, you can adjust the two wheels below the eyepiece to get a sharper quality. With the sturdy steel tripod, you don’t have to worry about the stability of the floor-standing telescope either. As a result, you can watch the objects from whatever location you want.

I highly recommend using this telescope with Celestron AstroMaster Accessory Kit to obtain the best result.

Advantages

  • With the easy-to-use controls, it is excellent for beginners.
  • Exceptional clarity and quality for sky watching.
  • Great for astrophotography and astronomical purposes.
  • It is easy to assemble and mount.

Disadvantages

  • The tripod is not as good as the telescope, but it is decent for general use.

Why Should You Choose Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Motor Drive Telescope?

For space enthusiasts who want to study celestial bodies, this is a gem to opt for. Combined with high light gathering power, magnification, sharp clarity and precision motor drive, it is the best telescope for viewing planets and galaxies in India at a reasonable price under ₹30000.

2. Celestron Powerseeker 70Az Telescope

Celestron Powerseeker 70Az 21036 Telescope

Product Highlights

  • Optical Design: Refractor – Achromatic
  • Mount Type: Altazimuth
  • Aperture: 70 mm
  • Focal Length: 700 mm
  • Highest Useful Magnification: 165x
  • Light Gathering Power: 100x
  • Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 11.7
  • Finderscope: 5 x 24
  • Tripod: Adjustable with aluminium leg

How Useful Is Power Seeker 70Az Telescope?

Ordinary telescopes allow viewers to see only the nearest celestial objects, like the moon. But, if you want to gaze at planets like the Saturn and Jupiter, the Celestron Power Seeker telescope is the best fit for you. Being a refractor telescope, you can view both terrestrial and extraterrestrial objects.

This telescope comes with an altazimuth mount for greater stability during stargazing. One can easily use this unshakeable telescope to get a brighter view of the planets and galaxies.

Apart from it, the adjustable eyepiece with 165x magnification allows you to focus in any direction of the deep space. It has 3 Barlow lenses that magnify the subject with high clarity. As a result, you can view any part of the galaxy in a better way, with the absence of haziness.

At the same time, the easy-breezy assembling facility makes it suitable for beginners. Even if you have no prior knowledge and experience, you can view your favourite celestial planets with ease.

Advantages

  • it comes with a more affordable price than the previous telescope.
  • Availability of Barlow lenses is a premium feature of this telescope.
  • A superior tripod helps in automatic stabilization.
  • Refractor lenses produces crystal clear images of the night sky.

Disadvantages

  • The zoom adjustment may require practice, so you have to be patient.

Why Should You Choose Celestron Powerseeker 70Az Telescope?

The high durability and budget-friendly price under ₹20000 make this telescope a perfect choice for beginner stargazers. Together with a large focal length and high light gathering power, it is good for viewing the celestial bodies in our solar system and beyond.

3. Celestron Speciality Series Travel Scope 70 Telescope

Celestron Speciality Series Travel Scope 70 Telescope

Product Highlights

  • Optical Design: Refractor
  • Mount Type: Altazimuth
  • Warranty: 2 year
  • Aperture: 70 mm
  • Focal Length: 400 mm
  • Highest Useful Magnification: 165x
  • Finderscope: 5 x 24
  • Tripod: Pre-assembled aluminium made full-size

How Useful Is Celestron Travel Scope Telescope?

If you love watching deep space and also travel a lot, Celestron Travel Scope Telescope is your perfect choice. As it is compact in design and weighs only 1.5 Kg, you can carry it easily inside the backpack included in the package. Visit a stargazing destination, mount it on the tripod and explore the fantastic views of the stars, planets and galaxies.

Besides, the altazimuth mount gives stability when adjusting the telescope horizontally and vertically. Though it does not come with Barlow lenses, you can buy them separately and use with this Celestron Travel Scope Telescope.

Having two eyepieces of 10 mm and 20 mm with a 5×24 finderscope, you can adjust the telescope to get crisp and sharp images of the celestial objects. The eyepieces offer different magnifications, and the 45° erect image diagonal produces right-side-up images of celestial objects through this refractor telescope. Along with that, the finderscope will help you quickly centre a celestial body in your eyepiece for easier observation.

Advantages

  • Being lightweight and portable, it is a great equipment for travellers who love stargazing.
  • 70 mm aperture produces amazing pictures of the planets in our solar system.
  • The telescope is easy to assemble with minimal maintenance.
  • The backpack to carry this telescope is spacious and has an inside pocket to store the accessories.

Disadvantages

  • The tripod is not very sturdy, but reasonable at the price point.

Why Should You Choose Celestron Travel Scope Telescope?

The Celestron Speciality Series telescope is ideal for beginners to gaze at the stars. Priced around ₹10000 in most stores, it is one the cheapest telescopes with attractive features. If you are a traveller who love camping and watching the sky on the go, there is no better option than this telescope.

4. Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope

Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope

Product Highlights

  • Optical Design: Refractor
  • Mounting: Equatorial
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Aperture: 80 mm
  • Focal Length: 900 mm
  • Highest Useful Magnification: 189x
  • Lowest Useful Magnification: 11x
  • Light Gathering Power: 131x
  • Finderscope: 5×24
  • Tripod: Tripod with deluxe accessory tray

How Useful Is Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope?

Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope strongly supports the gadget using the equatorial mount. You also get the freedom to adjust it to your whims using the two slow-motion knobs available. Hence, you can suit the telescope to your wishes rather than shifting your position.

Using 20 mm and 4 mm eyepieces, you can watch the night sky with sharper clarity. If the observers have the urge to view or study the intricate details of the galaxy, they can do so using the 3 Barlow lenses. Hence, you can view the details of the solar system at a greater magnifying strength.

A telescope must be user-friendly to help the viewers fully focus on stargazing. Celestron 80EQ is a good choice as it comes with essential accessories to watch the craters of the Moon or the rings of Saturn. The built-in tray is helpful for storing the related accessories properly.

The telescope is highly useful to anyone who wants to avoid any fuss. Its installation procedure is easy and works without any external tools. You get to stargaze at night and watch birds during the day effortlessly without any difficulty.

You also get access to Celestron’s astronomy software filled with as many as 10,000 objects, sky maps, and supreme quality images. This aids in planning your astronomical observations and astrophotography.

Advantages

  • Easy to set up and flawless to use.
  • Get a closer view of the celestial objects with high clarity.
  • Slow motion controls to track the night sky.
  • The adjustments of this telescope are nicely packed together and is very sturdy.

Disadvantages

  • It weighs more than 8 Kg and not very portable.

Why Should You Choose Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope?

It produces great quality detailed views of the craters and mountain ridges of the moon, as well as the rings of Saturn and far-distant galaxies. This is the best telescope in India for astrophotography and studying deep space, available under ₹30000.

5. Celestron PowerSeeker 60EQ Telescope

Celestron PowerSeeker 60EQ Telescope

Product Highlights

  • Optical Design: Refractor
  • Mount Type: German Equatorial
  • Aperture: 60 mm
  • Focal Length: 900 mm
  • Focal Ratio: f/15
  • Highest Useful Magnification: 142x
  • Lowest Useful Magnification: 8.57x
  • Light Gathering Power: 73x
  • Finderscope: 5 x 24
  • Tripod: Aluminium
  • Warranty: 1 year

How Useful Is Celestron PowerSeeker 60EQ Telescope?

It is good for observing anything clearly aiding both terrestrial and astronomical observations. View your favourite planets and galaxies using this high-definition telescope. As it has 3 Barlow lenses, you can increase the magnification and attain its maximum useable power.

While investing in a telescope, you may be worried about its durability. However, with the supreme build quality, Celestron PowerSeeker 60EQ Telescope will last for years to come. The fully coated lenses and sturdy frame make them suitable even for your kids.

In terms of installation, the telescope is also very easy to set up. Even beginners who aim to be astronomers can practice well with ease. Gather knowledge using Celestron’s Starry Night Software which encompasses an enormous database of celestial bodies, and plan your next observing session.

Advantages

  • Highest focal length among all telescopes listed in this article.
  • Very useful finderscope to target and view any object.
  • It has a stable mounting that assists in easy astrophotography.
  • Fully coated lenses reduce reflections and improve light transmission.

Disadvantages

  • With a weight of 4.5 Kg, it is less portable.

Why Should You Choose Celestron PowerSeeker 60EQ Telescope?

If you love exploring the sky, using this 60EQ telescope is a great way to fulfil your requirements. Built for both adults and kids, it is a good choice in 2024 under a price of ₹10000 to view the Moon and planets like Jupiter, Saturn and Venus clearly.

6. Celestron Speciality Series FirstScope Telescope

Celestron Speciality Series FirstScope Telescope

Product Highlights

  • Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector
  • Mount Type: Dobsonian
  • Warranty: 2 year
  • Aperture: 76 mm
  • Focal Length: 300 mm
  • Highest Useful Magnification: 180x
  • Light Gathering Power: 118x
  • Tripod: No (floor-standing)

How Useful Is Celestron FirstScope Telescope?

If you are a beginner with no earlier experience of using a telescope, it is your ideal choice. The Dobsonian mounting is easier to use than the equatorial mount, which is available in the previous telescopes listed.

While this telescope weighs only 2.4 Kg, it is compact and portable too. It does not require any complex setup process, and it comes pre-assembled. Thus, you can use it at your home and also carry during your travel. Being one of the most easy-to-use telescopes in India, you can observe and enjoy the celestial bodies in peace.

Its 76 mm objective lens diameter is enough to gather all the light to focus on the moon and planets of the solar system. But, it cannot give clear views of some star clusters and nebulas lightyears away due to the limitations of the optics. However, it is a good choice to start stargazing from the price point (under ₹10000) and basic features.

Advantages

  • Excellent choice for beginners with no prior experience.
  • 180x magnification magnifies any far-distant objects or the moon in a snap.
  • It is the most budget-friendly telescope.
  • Easy to use and maintain.

Disadvantages

  • Due to design limitations, it is not a good option for PROFESSIONAL astrophotographers and astronomers.

Why Should You Choose Celestron Speciality Series FirstScope Telescope?

Due to the lightweight design and easy controls, this Dobsonian telescope is a great option for newbies who love stargazing or travel frequently. So, if you are looking for the best telescope for beginners in India, there is no better option.

7. Pullox Astronomical Telescope

Pullox Reflector Astronomical Telescope

Product Highlights

  • Optical Design: Reflector
  • Mount Type: Altazimuth
  • Aperture: 76 mm
  • Focal Length: 700 mm
  • Focal Ratio: F/9
  • Highest Useful Magnification: 175x
  • Tripod: Full size

How Useful Is Pullox Reflector Astronomical Telescope?

If you are looking for a good telescope around ₹10000, but do not prefer Celestron, this astronomical telescope from Pullox is your perfect choice. It is made in India, reasonably priced and suitable for adults and kids with supervision.

Without the need for any other tools, its installation is hassle-free. This reflector telescope comes with 3 basic lenses (20, 12.5 and 4 mm) that can be set up with 2 more Barlow lenses (1.5x and 2x) and a moonlight lens. It comes with a 1.5x erector that adjusts the image horizontally and vertically at ease. You can set up this device on your own and contact Pullox, the manufacturer, for any problem, and they will solve it in days.

This telescope comes with an altazimuth mount on a steel tripod that holds the equipment properly. Align the finderscope with the main scope and focus on any stars or planets using the eyepiece. Magnify your target up to 175x (highest) and 88x (lowest) using the eyepieces while centring the view.

Advantages

  • A good choice for all the facilities at a reasonable price.
  • The altazimuth mount aids viewing in all directions- horizonal and vertical.
  • The huge aperture and magnification produce better visibility.
  • Excellent customer service by Pullox.

Disadvantages

  • The mounting on the tripod is not very stable. You need some patience when setting up this device.

Why Should You Choose Pullox Reflector Astronomical Telescope?

The top-notch facilities in this telescope make it hugely credible at an affordable price under ₹15000. You get a wholesome deal of great quality, support, all directional view, and so forth. It is a good equipment for anyone who wants to dive deeper into the mysterious space in 2024.

8. SSEA Refractor Telescope

SSEA Refractor Telescope

Product Highlights

  • Optical Design: Refractor
  • Mount Type: Altazimuth
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 60 mm
  • Focal Length: 700 mm
  • Highest Useful Magnification: 175x
  • Tripod: Full size

How Useful Is SSEA Refractor Telescope?

This is another made-in-India telescope like our previous pick from Pullox. In this telescope, a 60 mm large aperture with a reasonable light-gathering ability provides spectacular views of the moon and nearby planets. Not only for stargazing at night, but you can also use this telescope for bird watching and wildlife monitoring during the day.

The installation and control procedure of the SSEA telescope is fairly easy, so it is a perfect gift for kids at your home. It comes with 3 eyepieces to adjust your view up to 175x magnification. The best thing I like about this telescope is its compact and sleek design.

After investing in a telescope, you would want to use it properly with no technical difficulties, and if you find any, contact SSEA customer support, and they will be happy to help you.

Advantages

  • Good choice for beginners and children.
  • Attractive and compact design.
  • Easy to set up and use.
  • Versatile use for stargazing & bird watching.

Disadvantages

  • It cannot show clear views of distant galaxies and nebulas due to limitations in optics.

Why Should You Choose SSEA Refractor Telescope?

SSEA refractor telescope is a good option for aspiring astronomers and kids with no or limited experience. Priced under ₹10000, it is value for money for viewing the planets and the moon.

Using telescope for viewing planets and galaxies

How to Choose The Best Telescope To View Planets And Galaxies?

India is one such country where a telescope is a must-have gadget for astronomers and astrophotographers who love viewing planets and galaxies. Watching the night sky is an exciting activity while camping in a tent or at home. While high-end binoculars help in stargazing, but they are often not enough to view the far-away galaxies and nebulas.

At the same time, dust and light pollution alteres the dynamics of visibility. So, you need a telescope with high clarity, a large aperture and focal length. Here we have shortlisted the key decision-making factors which are essential to select a suitable telescope in 2024.

Types of Telescopes

  • Reflector Telescope: The reflector telescopes work best for studying the deep space as they have a higher light-gathering capacity with no chromatic aberrations. While these telescopes are more affordable, they are bulkier, heavier and need more maintenance. This type of floor-standing telescope is ideal for home use.
  • Refractor Telescope: Refractor telescopes are usually costlier than reflector telescopes, but they are more portable, lightweight and do not require heavy maintenance. Besides using at home, refractor telescopes are also good options for stargazing for beginners during travelling and camping.
  • Catadioptric/ Compound/ Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope: These telescopes are basically a combination of reflector and refractor telescopes. They are trusted by professional astrophotographers as well as astronomers to observe the galaxy. However, due to advanced technology, compound telescopes are costlier than other types of telescopes.

Mounting of the Telescope

From the perspective of stability and smooth stargazing experience, you must opt for a sturdy telescope mounted on the tripod. There are mostly three types of mounting available for telescopes-

  • Altazimuth mount: It is the most basic type of mounting for telescopes. An altazimuth or alt-az mount has two axes- altitude and azimuth for up/down and left/right movements of the scope. This mounting is good for planetary imaging and observational requirements but not recommended for long-exposure astrophotography.
  • Equatorial mount: An equatorial mount has the basics of the altazimuth mount but is tilted at an angle based on the GPS longitude. You can track celestial objects and engage in long-exposure astrophotography with equatorial mounts.
  • Dobsonian mount: is a subtype of altazimuth mounting, named after John Dobson, the inventor of the Dobsonian telescope. But it is not suitable for long-exposure astrophotography. For this reason, equatorial mounts have become the most popular.
telescope mounting

aperture/ Objective Lens Diameter

In telescopes, the aperture is the diameter of its objective lens. It plays a vital role in telescopes as they decide the light-gathering power and how finely you can view objects. In general, the higher the aperture, the better the image produced. An aperture of 60-130 mm works excellent for studying deep space.

While a lower aperture (60-80 mm) is good for viewing the moon and nearby planets, you need a higher aperture (80 mm and beyond) to spot and watch distant galaxies and nebulas.

The selection of the objective lens diameter also depends on the environment’s illumination. In a brighter region, the telescope aperture needs to be greater, even above 80 mm. While in an isolated area with lesser light, telescopes with 60 mm aperture work great.

The Focal Length

Most telescopes have a focal length in the range of 400-1200mm. A short focal length will give a wide field of view, but the objects in the field of view will appear small. On the other hand, a long focal length will give a narrow field of view (small area of sky), but the objects in view will appear larger.

Short focal lengths are ideal for looking at deep space or photographing the milky way. Long focal lengths are most suitable for focusing on specific celestial objects and studying fine details, for example, the craters of the Moon and the rings of Saturn.

Magnification

Besides aperture and focal length, magnification is another important factor in choosing a good telescope. It is defined by the ratio of the objective focal length to the eyepiece focal length. So, to achieve a higher magnification, the eyepiece focal length has to be shorter. Using Barlow lenses is another way to increase the magnification of the telescope.

The highest useful magnification is determined by multiplying 2 by the aperture (mm). On the other hand, the lowest useful magnification can be calculated by dividing the aperture (mm) by 7. For example, if the aperture of a telescope is 80 mm, its theoretical highest useful magnification is 160x, and the theoretical lowest useful magnification is 11.4x.

Eye Relief

This is another important factor to consider, especially if you wear spectacles. It is the distance from the eyepiece within which your eye can get a full view angle. For people wearing spectacles, you must choose a larger eye relief. This would give your eyes enough space to view the celestial objects properly.

Watch the following video for a visual representation on how to choose a telescope.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does a good telescope cost in India?

A good quality telescope can cost between ₹5000 to ₹200000 in the Indian market. Telescopes under ₹5000 are usually only suitable for viewing the moon. If you plan to watch distant galaxies and planets, getting a telescope in the range of ₹8000-₹50000 is recommended.

Which is the best telescope brand in India?

Celestron is undoubtedly the best brand for telescopes in India, with the largest range of products suitable for both beginners and experts. It is not only available in India but also reputed worldwide. Apart from Celestron, SSEA and Pullox are some made-in-India brands that manufacture budget-friendly telescopes for adults and kids.

How can you tell how powerful a telescope is?

The power of the telescope is similar to that of its magnifying power. The ratio of the telescope’s focal length to that of the focal length of the eyepiece equals the power. For example, if the telescope’s focal length is 1000mm and the eyepiece is 25mm, the power would be 1000/25=40.

Is a telescope better than binocular for sky watching?

Both telescopes and binoculars are great for viewing the sky. However, you can do many more things using a telescope than a binocular. Telescopes are a winner if you want to observe celestial bodies away from the solar system. So, buying a telescope is way more useful than binoculars for astronomy. Read the binocular vs telescope comparison for more details.

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Soumya

Author, NatureDiary
Soumya is an avid traveller, founder, photographer and chief editor of NatureDiary. A nature lover by heart, he writes and edits articles on various travel destinations, attractions, and gear on NatureDiary from his vast experience of travelling, trekking, and camping across India.

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