In my opinion, the best telescope design for smaller apertures is the refractor. In the 3- to 5-inch range, these are typically small and light, easy to store and transport.

These scopes also are known as “compound” telescopes and are hybrids that have a mix of refractor and reflector elements in their design. The first compound telescope was made by German ...

Compound, or catadioptric, telescopes combine lenses and mirrors for a compact option, suitable for both planetary and ...

They were the first kind of telescope developed, and their history goes as far back as the 1600s. Their operating principle is relatively simple. There is a curved lens at one end to focus the ...

Refractor telescopes excel at viewing objects within our own solar system, such as the moon, Mars or Jupiter. However, the lenses can struggle with the faint light of distant objects, which won ...

Refractor telescopes use a series of glass lenses to collect and focus the light. They are excellent for viewing the moon or larger (or closer) planets.

Refractor telescopes use a series of glass lenses to collect and focus the light. They are excellent for viewing the moon or larger (or closer) planets.

Top refractor telescope for the money Celestron 70 Millimeter Portable Refractor Telescope What you need to know: The perfect size for grab-and-go astronomers, this telescope has a 70-millimeter ...

Unistellar eVscope eQuinox Smart Digital Refractor Telescope This digital telescope has a built-in low-light sensor, an onboard computer and a built-in battery. There is no eyepiece as you connect ...

Unistellar eVscope eQuinox Smart Digital Refractor Telescope This digital telescope has a built-in low-light sensor, an onboard computer and a built-in battery. There is no eyepiece as you connect ...

This refractor telescope is ideal for those without much stargazing experience due to its easy-to-use design and no-tool set up. It also comes with a range of accessories to maximize your ...