The Sky You See Depends on the Telescope You Buy

Starting out in astronomy can be overwhelming. The most common “trap” isn’t buying a bad telescope—it’s not knowing what you can actually see.

Today, let’s make it simple: “Different telescope setups, different worlds.” Here’s how to choose the right one for your goals.

Beginner Level: Small Aperture Refractor Telescope

• Aperture: 40–60mm
• Focal Length: 300–500mm
• Budget: ¥200–¥800

What you can see:

• Moon craters, maria, and shadow lines
• Jupiter’s bright spots + 4 Galilean moons
• Saturn’s rings (blurry but visible outline)
• Star clusters’ brightness, parts of the Milky Way

What you cannot see:

• Deep-sky nebulae (will appear blurry)
• Saturn’s ring details or planetary surface textures

Who it’s for:

• Beginners, budget-conscious, mostly lunar observation

Recommended accessories:

• Smartphone adapter + tripod is enough
• Perfect for kids and astronomy starters

Intermediate Level: 70–120mm Refractor or Catadioptric Telescope

• Aperture: 70–120mm
• Focal Length: 600–1000mm
• Budget: ¥800–¥2000

What you can see:

• Detailed Moon craters, more pronounced 3D effect
• Jupiter’s cloud bands + moon orbits
• Saturn’s rings clearly, even Cassini Division visible
• Brighter star clusters, M42 Orion Nebula, Pleiades

Who it’s for:

• Enthusiasts ready to see planets and nebulae more clearly

Recommended setup:

• Multiple eyepieces for low/high magnification
• Barlow lens for extra magnification

Advanced / Deep-Sky Level: Large Aperture Reflector or High-End Compound Telescope

• Aperture: 130–200mm+
• Focal Length: 750–1200mm
• Budget: ¥2000–¥5000+

What you can see:

• Deep-sky nebulae and detailed star clusters
• Milky Way structure, Cygnus star region
• Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, Saturn’s Cassini Division
• Comets, Mars polar caps, solar prominences (during solar events)
• Astrophotography (with equatorial mount)

Who it’s for:

• Astronomy enthusiasts or anyone aiming for long-term observation and photography

Recommended setup:

• Equatorial mount + filters + tracking mount
• Expandable for astrophotography

Summary: What Really Matters

• Aperture = Light-gathering power → bigger means clearer, brighter images
• Focal length + eyepiece = Magnification → determines how zoomed in your view is
• Tip:
  • Want clear planetary and lunar views? Don’t choose too small an aperture
  • Want to capture deep-sky objects? Get a larger scope with equatorial mount

In short: pick a telescope that matches what you want to see—your sky depends on your gear.