By far the best budget binoculars for enjoyable stargazing at a very affordable price!

High Power Binoculars, Kylietech 12x42 Binocular for Adults with BAK4 Prism, FMC Lens, Fogproof & Waterproof Great for Bird Watching Travel Stargazing Hunting Concerts (Smartphone Adapter Included)

Explore the universe with these Bresser Binoculars Hunter 7x50 – a gateway to celestial wonders! Dive into the cosmos with this stellar optical tool that brings distant sights closer. Check them out here.

Recommended Binoculars:

Olympus 10x50 DPS

For beginners and intermediate users. 

These are great binoculars. Giving clear images with a wide field of view. Matched with a free stargazing app like “Skywalk”  you can locate and get information on thousands of celestial objects in the night sky.

Highly recomended 4.5/5

value for money 5/5

I have owned these for 15 years and they are still superb and in excellent working order!

Higher powered and developed for Astronomy The Celestron SkyMaster Series: Known for their quality optics, the SkyMaster series offers various models suitable for astronomy.

These Advanced binoculars are for the serious observer and come at higher price.

For beginners venturing into astronomy, the Omegon Telescope AC 60/700 AZ-1 31150 LCM is a great choice for the budding astronomer!

The Celestron 114 Series Computerised Newtonian Reflector Telescope stands out as an excellent choice, offering a balance of affordability and quality. 

Alongside this, the SkyWatcher Explorer 130M Motorised Newtonian Reflector Telescope provides remarkable clarity and ease of use, making it a top contender for novice astronomers. With its motorised functionality, the SkyWatcher Explorer enhances the celestial exploration experience for those just starting. 

Each of these telescopes caters to beginners with varying preferences, providing a solid foundation for stargazing adventures without breaking the bank.

The Omegon Telescope

Unlock the wonders of amateur astronomy effortlessly with this telescope – a perfect gift for both children and adults, delivering exceptional value for your investment! This user-friendly instrument is a breeze to comprehend and assembles swiftly without the need for any tools. Just follow the straightforward steps: ‘set up, insert the eyepiece, and observe’ for a seamless celestial experience.

Personally I wouldn’t normally go for a telescope under £100 . The build quality is not very good . Mostly made of plastic with sub-standard eyepieces and flimsy, unstable mounts (tripods)but if you’re just testing the water and you want your child to try Stargazing then maybe this might be  the one to ignite their interest. 

 The Celticbird 70mm Aperture 400mm Telescope is a compact and affordable option for beginners in astronomy. With a 70mm aperture, it provides decent light-gathering capabilities for its size. 

The 400mm focal length allows for a variety of celestial observations, making it suitable for lunar details and basic planetary viewing. While not designed for advanced deep-sky observations, its simplicity and ease of use make it an excellent entry-level telescope. Considering its affordability,

I would rate it 4.2/5 for value for money and an overall rating of 4/5 for beginners seeking a budget-friendly introduction to stargazing.

The Celestron 31150 LCM 114 Series

is an ideal choice for beginners on a budget up to £300. Its computerized Newtonian reflector design makes stargazing easy and enjoyable. With this telescope, exploring planets, star clusters, and even some deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulas provides a captivating experience. The device combines affordability with excellent image quality, making it a great entry-level option for astronomy enthusiasts.

Value for Money: 4.5/5

Overall Rating: 4.2/5

The SkyWatcher Explorer 130M

Motorised Newtonian Reflector Telescope is an excellent choice for beginners, offering a slightly smaller and more budget-friendly alternative to the Celestron 31150 LCM 114 Series. Despite its smaller size, this telescope maintains remarkable clarity and ease of use, making it a cost-effective option for novice astronomers. 

With a focus on value for money, I would rate it 4.7/5, and overall, it deserves a solid 4.5/5 for its performance and affordability.

The Skywatcher Skyliner 200p Dobsonian telescope is not just an 8” light bucket; it’s an affordable ticket to explore the wonders of the universe. With its generous aperture, this telescope captures ample light, unveiling celestial marvels in stunning detail. Elevate your stargazing journey without breaking the bank – seize the 8” light bucket experience with the Skyliner 200p!

Now I know I said this site is dedicated to getting started in astronomy on a budget but If you want to get into  astronomy a little more seriously or you're looking to upgrade your existing starter scope. You wont get much better than the Celestron 11069 NexStar 8SE Computerised Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope with Advanced GPS, Astroimaging and AutoAlign Features, Black/Orange.

The Celestron 11069 NexStar 8SE telescope offers advanced features like GPS, Astroimaging, and AutoAlign, providing excellent value for money, especially with a 21% discount. While it’s a little pricey, the inclusion of quality standard eyepieces and numerous extras enhances the overall value and performance for astronomy enthusiasts.

If you are looking for a large light bucket with great optics then look no further than this bad boy. The 10 inch diameter Skywatcher Dobsonian.

The Skywatcher 10” Dobsonian telescope is a popular choice for amateur astronomers. Its large aperture provides excellent light-gathering capabilities, ideal for deep-sky observations. The telescope typically comes with accessories like a 2-inch focuser, 25mm and 10mm eyepieces, a finderscope, and a collimation tool, enhancing its versatility.

Quality: 4/5 - Sturdy construction and quality optics make it a reliable choice.

Performance: 4.5/5 - Impressive performance for both planetary and deep-sky observations, thanks to its substantial aperture.

The included accessories cover basic needs, but some users may choose to upgrade eyepieces for a more customized experience. Overall, a solid telescope offering excellent value for its price.

This Skywatcher comes in at just £1,000 .

Take a closer look Here

Astrophotography is the practice of capturing images of celestial objects using a camera and a telescope or camera lens. It involves long-exposure photography to collect light from faint astronomical objects. Key equipment includes:

 1. Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings is common. Some astrophotographers use dedicated astronomy cameras.

 2. Telescope or Lens: Telescopes with tracking mounts or camera lenses with wide apertures are used to gather light and detail from celestial objects.

 3. Mount: Equatorial mounts with motorized tracking are crucial for compensating Earth’s rotation, allowing for longer exposure times without star trailing.

 4. Guiding System: For precise tracking, an autoguiding system helps maintain accurate alignment during long exposures.

 5. Filters: Light pollution and narrowband filters enhance image quality, isolating specific wavelengths of light.

 6. Remote Shutter Release: Reduces camera shake during long exposures.

 7. Power Supply: Ensure a stable power source for the camera, mount, and other devices.

 8. Software: Image processing software like Adobe Photoshop or dedicated astrophotography tools is used to enhance and finalize images.

Astrophotography requires patience, skill, and an understanding of astronomical objects and camera settings. It’s a rewarding but challenging hobby that allows enthusiasts to capture the beauty of the night sky in stunning detail.

Svbony SV503 ED Telescope, 102F7 Achromatic Refractor, Extra Low Dispersion, Dual-speed RAP Focuser, Telescope OTA for Astrophotography and Visual(102mm

comes in at under £600