{"id":1240,"date":"2023-05-30T07:40:14","date_gmt":"2023-05-30T07:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stargazing.me.uk\/?p=1240"},"modified":"2023-06-01T07:45:02","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T07:45:02","slug":"why-are-telescopes-so-expensive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/?p=1240","title":{"rendered":"Why Are Telescopes So Expensive?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like most hobbies, astronomy can get quite expensive as you get deeper into it. Good telescopes<\/a> are not cheap, and there\u2019s also the cost of eyepieces<\/a>, barlow lenses<\/a> and other accessories.<\/p>\n

In this post, we discuss why good telescopes are so expensive and whether the upgrade is worth it.<\/p>\n

We also have some tips on how you can get started in astronomy and astrophotography without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n

How Much Does A Telescope Cost?<\/h2>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

While good telescopes are pricey, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to start observing the night sky. Telescopes range all the way from less than \u00a3100 to thousands of pounds.<\/p>\n

But hobbyist telescopes rarely go above \u00a31000, with only a few models like the Celestron NexStar 8SE<\/a> computerised telescope breaching this figure.<\/p>\n

Don’t expect to find a great telescope for less than \u00a3100<\/a>. At this price point, you\u2019ll mostly find beginner 70mm (2.7 inch) telescopes designed for kids.<\/p>\n

Sure, you can see the moon, planets and even galaxies. But the small aperture really limits image quality. You also won\u2019t be able to make out detailed features of various objects in the sky.<\/p>\n

Between \u00a3200 and \u00a3500 is where you\u2019ll find some good telescopes that provide a great starting point for astronomy. These are typically 3 and 4 inch aperture telescopes that are good for close observations as well as stargazing.<\/p>\n

At over \u00a3500, you can get an advanced telescope that offers excellent views of the night sky. These include large (4-8 inch) reflectors as well as powerful refractor and compound telescopes.<\/p>\n

As you can see, even a good beginner telescope is not cheap. You need to spend at least \u00a3200 and that doesn’t include the cost of additional eyepieces that you\u2019ll need (most telescopes come with just 1 or 2 eyepieces).<\/p>\n

Why Are Telescopes So Expensive?<\/h2>\n

So why are telescopes so darn expensive? Why can\u2019t they be as cheap as binoculars?<\/p>\n

The biggest reason why telescopes are so expensive is the <\/span>optics<\/b> – these are the lenses and mirrors inside the telescope.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gathering light from objects that are light years away from earth is no mean feat. A telescope has to be able to capture objects that are millions of kilometres away.<\/p>\n

To do this, it needs highly specialised optics. These are designed and constructed very carefully and with incredible precision to provide the best image quality with minimal distortions.<\/p>\n

Lenses are especially difficult and expensive to produce, which is why large telescopes are usually reflectors (mirrors are cheaper to make).<\/p>\n

Lenses require a special kind of highly pure glass called optical glass<\/a>. High-end refractors contain even more specialised lenses that are made from extra-low dispersion or ED glass that reduces chromatic aberration.<\/p>\n

Mirrors, on the other hand, need to be hand polished for a smooth finish. They are labour intensive to manufacture.<\/p>\n

Both mirrors and lenses also need special coatings. Here\u2019s a video showing the many steps involved in making telescope mirrors.<\/p>\n