Telescopes and Equipment | Astronomy.com

Astronomy tests ZWO’s Seestar S30

Phil Harrington — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:37:05 +0000

The smart telescope revolution continues to grow, with ZWO as one of the leading innovators. Last year, the company introduced the least expensive “smarty” yet: the Seestar S30. The S30 is a compact, all-in-one astroimaging system. Like its larger sibling, the popular Seestar S50 (which I reviewed in the January 2025 issue), the S30 includes pretty much everythingContinue reading "Astronomy tests ZWO’s Seestar S30"

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Astronomy’s 15th annual star products

Phil Harrington — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

For Astronomy magazine’s 15th annual compilation of Star Products, we’ve once again explored the vast astronomical marketplace to handpick the finest, most innovative, and most practical gear for amateur astronomers everywhere. This carefully selected collection features 35 exceptional products, arranged in alphabetical order by manufacturer for easy reference. Whether you’re passionate about visual observing orContinue reading "Astronomy’s 15th annual star products"

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Our favorite new products this fall

Astronomy Staff — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000

9mm Nagler Type 7 eyepiece Tele Vue OpticsChester, New York The 9mm Nagler Type 7 eyepiece offers a mix of sharpness and correction for deep-sky objects. This new eyepiece presents an 82° apparent field of view. It is designed with comfort in mind for eyeglass wearers, with 19mm of eye relief. The eyepiece fits withContinue reading "Our favorite new products this fall"

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Top 15 guide books for astronomy beginners

Raymond Shubinski — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 18:57:07 +0000

An interest in astronomy may strike early in life or later. Regardless of what lit the fire of that interest, you need knowledge to help you understand the universe. Some of the most important sources of information are the many beginner’s guides on astronomy. No matter what form these guides may take, they provide theContinue reading "Top 15 guide books for astronomy beginners"

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Make summer last with these new astronomy products

Astronomy Staff — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:00:00 +0000

iAFS2 automatic focuser iOptronWoburn, MA The iAFS2 automatic focuser is designed to stay focused even after it is adjusted. It allows the user to control its movement three ways: by connecting to a computer, with affixed adjuster buttons, or with a manual focus wheel. The focuser also features a built-in temperature sensor and two USBContinue reading "Make summer last with these new astronomy products"

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Heat up your observing with these new products

Astronomy Staff — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 13:30:00 +0000

Mobile Porta Mount VixenSaitama, JapanThe Mobile Porta Mount is the new, easily portable piece in the popular Porta line. The alt-azimuth accessory has friction stop motion to locate objects quickly. Telescopes weighing up to 7.7 pounds (3.5 kilograms) can be attached. The mount head can be detached and the multiarm can be folded, both forContinue reading "Heat up your observing with these new products"

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The basics of astroimaging filters

Alison Klesman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Astrophotography is a hobby with a huge learning curve, and one aspect that can muddy the waters is the dizzying array of filters on the market. What is narrowband? What size do I need? Which are good for monochrome and one-shot color? Let’s cover some of the basics. There are two types of filters forContinue reading "The basics of astroimaging filters"

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New astronomy products to kick off your summer observing

Astronomy Staff — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Forty Ways to Know a Star: Using Stars to Understand Astronomy Princeton Architectural PressNew York, NY In Forty Ways to Know a Star: Using Stars to Understand Astronomy, Jillian Scudder explores stars’ greatest mysteries through 40 short essays accompanied by photos and illustrations. An astrophysicist, science blogger, and Oberlin College associate professor, Scudder details theContinue reading "New astronomy products to kick off your summer observing"

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Review: DwarfLab’s DWARF 3 Smart Telescope

Phil Harrington — Thu, 29 May 2025 14:03:38 +0000

Astronomy is one of the fastest changing sciences, and the equipment we use to explore and record the universe is advancing just as quickly. Smart telescopes epitomize the evolving equipment scene, combining a telescope, digital camera, and automated tracking in one sleek package. They allow novice astrophotographers to capture stunning deep-sky images on their first clearContinue reading "Review: DwarfLab’s DWARF 3 Smart Telescope"

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Stellar gifts for Dad: 10 astronomy essentials for Father’s Day

Michael E. Bakich — Wed, 21 May 2025 14:16:14 +0000

Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy equipment through the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Listen, you really don’t want to get your dad a tie or another pair of socks for Father’s Day. And a gift certificate to some restaurant he goes to frequently is boring. Instead, why notContinue reading "Stellar gifts for Dad: 10 astronomy essentials for Father’s Day"

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