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Your first telescope and space books

You do not need much to start: binoculars or a small telescope and a good star guide. Categories and real titles, linked to an Amazon search.

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Search on Amazon7x50 or 10x50 binocularsMany astronomers suggest starting with binoculars: wide view, easy to use. Search on AmazonA beginner refractor telescope70-90 mm refractors show the Moon's craters, Saturn's rings and Jupiter's moons. Search on AmazonA tabletop Dobsonian telescopeMore light-gathering for the price; simple to point. Search on AmazonA red-light headlampRed light keeps your night vision while you read charts.

Read

Search on AmazonTurn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno and Dan M. DavisThe classic guide to what you can actually see in a small telescope. Search on AmazonNightWatch by Terence DickinsonA beginner's guide to the night sky with star charts.

How we pick

We list well-known books and simple, widely sold product types that fit what we cover. We have not been paid to include anything, we do not publish ratings or reviews we have not done, and prices change, so always check the seller's page. Store and booking pages are run by those companies, not by us.

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