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Start with binoculars

Before you spend a dollar on a telescope, spend $110 on binoculars. Here's why every experienced observer still owns a pair.

Telescopes zoom in. Binoculars take in.

A telescope shows you one crater in stunning detail. Binoculars show you the whole Moon, the Milky Way's star clouds, and satellites drifting through the field. For scanning the sky — especially when something's been reported overhead — wide field wins.

What to buy

Nikon Aculon A211 10x50 is the benchmark: bright, honest optics, around $110. Want more reach? Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 shows Jupiter's moons — but put them on a tripod.

How to use them

Lie back in a reclining chair. Sweep slowly along the Milky Way. Give your eyes 20 minutes in the dark — and keep a red flashlight handy so you don't reset the clock. You'll see more in your first hour than most telescope owners see in a month.

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