Dearest Santa with Deeper Pockets

OK, let’s set the bar higher and go bigger. After all it’s for that special someone and you do not want to disappoint.

Once you get through the plethora of beginner telescopes there is a plethora of more advanced telescopes. The sky is literally the limit! I made two lists, one of non-driven, non-computerized intermediate to advanced telescopes and a list of … that’s right. These telescopes exude brawn – they are big and impressive. I’m listing telescopes that come with a tripod and/or mount, and 1- 2 good eyepieces.

I am not including Obsession, Hubble, or the like as they are special order. Most high-end apochromatic (APO) refractor telescopes do not come with a tripod or mount, so I have not included them either.

The telescopes listed here are in stock as of this writing.

Non-motorized and non-computerized.

Explore Scientific (explorescientificusa.com) Hybrid Dobsonian* 10” mirror                                                    $650

SkyWatcher (agenaastro.com) Traditional Dobsonian: 8”,10” mirror                                                      $655 – $910

SkyWatcher Flextube (compactable for transport) Dobsinian: 8”,10”,12” mirror                                 $755 – $1715

Orion SkyQuest XT Classic Dobsinian (telescope.com) 8”,10” mirror                                                       $650 – $930

Orion SkyLine Dobsonian 8”,10″,12” mirror, 2-speed focuser, collimation tool, more                         $850 – $1500

Many of the above telescopes are available with motor drive and computer as a “Go-to” set up. Be prepared to add about $500-$700, depending on the telescope.

Motorized/computerized telescopes

Celestron NexStar 8SE Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) telescope (agenaastro.com):8”                                          $1600

Celestron CPC SCT. 8”,9.25”, 11”                                                                                                                   $2600-$5100

Celestron EdgeHD SCT. 8”,9.25”,11”,14”: Edge-HD = Flat Field optics                                                   $3200-11,000

SkyWatcher Flextube Dobsonian (agenaastro.com) 10”,12”14″,16” mirror                                         $1715 – $4680 Celestron Advanced VX Refractor (astronomics.com) 6” achromat (not APO)                                                  $1899

Meade LX85/LX90 ACF SCT (telescope.com): 8”,10”,12”, ACF = Flat Field optics                                  $3000-$4800

Meade LX 200 ACF SCT: 8”,10”,12”,14”, heavy duty, advanced features                                                $4500-$8800

Meade LX 600 ACF SCT: 10”, 12” with StarLock auto guider                                                                     $6800-$8000

Meade LX 850 ACF SCT: 10”,12”,14” super heavy duty, advanced features, StarLock                     $10,000-13,000

*Dobsonian mounts are simple-elegant altitude-azimuth mounts for Newtonian type reflecting telescopes.

What’s in the Sky?

November 12-13; 8:30pm; east-northeast: Mars and the Moon share space in the sky

November 14; 6:57pm; south-southwest: Watch the ISS go high and then disappear in Earth’s shadow as it approaches Jupiter.