https://astronomytested.comTelescope and astronomy guides: refractors, reflectors, Dobsonians, smart telescopes, mounts, eyepieces, filters, astrophotography cameras and binoculars, with beginner, intermediate and advanced paths.en-us https://astronomytested.com/guides/barlow-lens-vs-shorter-eyepiecehttps://astronomytested.com/guides/barlow-lens-vs-shorter-eyepieceCompare a Barlow lens and a shorter focal-length eyepiece for magnification, eye relief, cost, weight and your existing eyepieces.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://astronomytested.com/guides/choose-a-beginner-telescopehttps://astronomytested.com/guides/choose-a-beginner-telescopeChoose a first telescope by target, aperture, mount, storage and setup. Compare refractors, reflectors and smart scopes before buying.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://astronomytested.com/guides/dobsonian-aperture-vs-portabilityhttps://astronomytested.com/guides/dobsonian-aperture-vs-portabilityCompare larger and more portable Dobsonian telescopes by aperture, storage, transport, setup and observing location before selecting a size.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://astronomytested.com/guides/equatorial-vs-alt-azimuth-mounthttps://astronomytested.com/guides/equatorial-vs-alt-azimuth-mountTelescope mounts compared: alt-azimuth, Dobsonian, equatorial and GoTo mounts, polar alignment, payload capacity, tracking for imaging and star trackers.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://astronomytested.com/guides/how-to-view-the-sun-safelyhttps://astronomytested.com/guides/how-to-view-the-sun-safelySafe solar viewing: ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses, front-mounted white-light solar filters, hydrogen-alpha telescopes, covering finders, and what never to use.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://astronomytested.com/guides/refractor-vs-reflector-vs-catadioptrichttps://astronomytested.com/guides/refractor-vs-reflector-vs-catadioptricTelescope types compared: refractors, reflectors and Dobsonians, and Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov designs, by aperture per dollar, upkeep and targets.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://astronomytested.com/guides/smart-telescope-vs-traditional-telescopehttps://astronomytested.com/guides/smart-telescope-vs-traditional-telescopeCompare smart telescopes and traditional telescope setups by observing style, imaging, setup, control, portability and upgrade flexibility.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://astronomytested.com/guides/smart-telescopes-explainedhttps://astronomytested.com/guides/smart-telescopes-explainedHow smart telescopes work: app control, automatic alignment, live stacking, typical apertures, light pollution and how they differ from traditional scopes.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://astronomytested.com/guides/telescope-aperture-and-magnification-explainedhttps://astronomytested.com/guides/telescope-aperture-and-magnification-explainedWhy aperture matters more than magnification: how to calculate magnification, the maximum useful power, focal ratio, resolution and how seeing limits the view.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://astronomytested.com/guides/telescope-eyepiece-guidehttps://astronomytested.com/guides/telescope-eyepiece-guideChoose telescope eyepieces: low, medium and high power focal lengths, apparent and true field of view, exit pupil, eye relief for glasses, barrel sizes and Barlows.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://astronomytested.com/guides/telescope-mount-payload-capacityhttps://astronomytested.com/guides/telescope-mount-payload-capacityRead telescope mount payload ratings, count the full imaging load and compare visual and astrophotography configurations before adding equipment.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://astronomytested.com/guides/white-light-vs-hydrogen-alpha-solar-telescopeshttps://astronomytested.com/guides/white-light-vs-hydrogen-alpha-solar-telescopesCompare white-light solar filters and dedicated hydrogen-alpha telescopes by visible features, equipment, safe setup and observing purpose.Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT