Whether you're a stargazing enthusiast or a parent looking to inspire a child’s curiosity, choosing the right telescope can be both exciting and confusing. One of the most common questions from beginners is: “What can I see with a 70mm, 90mm, or 130mm telescope?”
These telescopes offer a variety of entry points into amateur astronomy, and understanding their capabilities is key to a rewarding experience. From viewing the craters of the Moon to catching a glimpse of Saturn’s rings, each aperture size brings a unique window into the universe.
✨ James Webb Nebula Gallery
Inside the Flame Nebula
This composite image shows one of the clusters, NGC 2024, which is found in the center of the so-called Flame Nebula about 1,400 light years from Earth. Astronomers have studied two star clusters using NASA Chandra and infrared telescopes.
Chasing Chickens in the Lambda Centauri Nebula
This infrared image from NASA Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer shows the Lambda Centauri nebula, a star-forming cloud in our Milky Way galaxy, also known as the Running Chicken nebula.
ARC-2010-ACD10-0054-011
Nebula Containerized Server at the NASA Ames Research Center.
Planetary Nebula
This planetary nebula's simple, graceful appearance is thought to be due to perspective: our view from Earth looking straight into what is actually a barrel-shaped cloud of gas shrugged off by a dying central star. Hot blue gas near the energizing central star gives way to progressively cooler green and yellow gas at greater distances with the coolest red gas along the outer boundary. Credit: NASA/Hubble Heritage Team ---- The Ring Nebula's distinctive shape makes it a popular illustration for astronomy books. But new observations by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope of the glowing gas shroud around an old, dying, sun-like star reveal a new twist. "The nebula is not like a bagel, but rather, it's like a jelly doughnut, because it's filled with material in the middle," said C. Robert O'Dell of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. He leads a research team that used Hubble and several ground-based telescopes to obtain the best view yet of the iconic nebula. The images show a more complex structure than astronomers once thought and have allowed them to construct the most precise 3-D model of the nebula. "With Hubble's detail, we see a completely different shape than what's been thought about historically for this classic nebula," O'Dell said. "The new Hubble observations show the nebula in much clearer detail, and we see things are not as simple as we previously thought." The Ring Nebula is about 2,000 light-years from Earth and measures roughly 1 light-year across. Located in the constellation Lyra, the nebula is a popular target for amateur astronomers. Read more: 1.usa.gov/14VAOMkNASA image use policy.NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on TwitterLike us on FacebookFind us on Instagram
Ant Nebula
This image from NASA Hubble Space Telescope image of a celestial object called the Ant Nebula may shed new light on the future demise of our Sun.
A Different View of the Flame Nebula
The Flame Nebula sits on the eastern hip of Orion the Hunter, a constellation most easily visible in the northern hemisphere during winter evenings in this view from NASA WISE Telescope.
The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is a solid entry-level refractor telescope with a 70mm aperture and an alt-azimuth mount. It's ideal for beginners who want to explore the Moon and bright planets like Venus and Jupiter. With it, users can spot Jupiter’s four largest moons and observe the phases of Venus. Its lightweight frame and simple setup make it especially great for kids or casual observers. However, due to its smaller aperture, it doesn’t perform well for deep-sky observations.
Stepping up, the Orion StarBlast 90mm TableTop Refractor offers a brighter and more detailed view than the 70mm model. With a 90mm aperture and a compact alt-azimuth tabletop mount, this telescope reveals more planetary detail, including Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s bands. Its compact design is perfect for beginners with limited space, though it still struggles to capture fainter objects like distant galaxies or nebulae.
For those looking for a bigger leap in performance, the Zhumell Z130 Portable Reflector Telescope boasts a 130mm Newtonian reflector design on a Dobsonian-style mount. The larger aperture dramatically improves light-gathering ability, allowing you to observe Messier objects, bright galaxies, and stunning star clusters like the Pleiades and Orion Nebula. While it does require some collimation—a basic alignment of mirrors—it offers significantly more value in visual performance. It’s heavier than smaller models, but still portable enough for backyard astronomy.
Finally, the Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P FlexTube is another standout in the 130mm category. This collapsible Newtonian reflector sits on a tabletop Dobsonian mount, combining portability with high performance. Its innovative FlexTube design allows for easy transport without sacrificing aperture size. The telescope provides excellent contrast, making it a strong performer for both planetary detail and deep-sky viewing. As with other reflectors, some maintenance like collimation and occasional mirror cleaning is necessary, but the visual rewards make it worthwhile.
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Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Telescope
1. Aperture First
The most crucial factor in a telescope’s capability is aperture.
70mm: Best for Moon and bright planets.
90mm: Good for planetary detail and modest deep-sky views.
130mm: Excellent for deep-sky objects and more detail across the board.
2. Mount Type
Alt-Az Mounts: Easy to use and great for beginners.
Dobsonian Mounts: Affordable and stable for large reflectors.
Equatorial Mounts: For those interested in astrophotography.
3. Portability vs. Power
Refractors (70mm–90mm) are lightweight and low-maintenance.
Reflectors (130mm) are bulkier but offer richer visuals.
Choose based on your storage space and how often you plan to travel with your scope.
4. Budget Considerations
Under $150: Entry-level 70mm refractors
$200–$300: Mid-range 90mm options
$300–$500: High-quality 130mm reflectors with better optics
Ready to explore the Moon, Saturn’s rings, or even the Orion Nebula?
Check out our curated list of beginner-friendly telescopes and choose the one that fits your needs and budget.
Can I see Saturn’s rings with a 70mm telescope?Yes, you can see Saturn’s rings with a 70mm telescope, although the image will be small and lack fine detail.
Is a 130mm telescope good for deep-sky observing?Absolutely. A 130mm reflector gathers enough light to view bright galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.
Which is better for beginners: 90mm or 130mm?A 90mm refractor is simpler and maintenance-free, while a 130mm reflector provides better views but requires collimation.
Do I need special filters to view the Moon?A basic moon filter can reduce glare and improve contrast when observing the Moon, especially with larger apertures.
Are tabletop telescopes stable enough for stargazing?Yes, tabletop mounts are quite stable when placed on a sturdy surface and are perfect for small to mid-size scopes.
