The excitement of the new moon mission has potentially helped create a new generation of stargazers, just like the Apollo program did 60 years ago. These new observers will be looking for a beginner’s telescope that is easy to use and which can show them the craters on the moon in particular. The Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian could be the perfect entry point for them. It has a superb price-point for its aperture, and is capable of bringing not only the moon, but double stars, the brighter galaxies and nebulas and the moons of Jupiter to your backyard.

The Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian comes equipped with 8mm and 20mm eyepieces, one of which is intended specifically for the moon, as well as a red-dot finderscope, a moon filter, a moon-map poster and free access to download the Starry Night planetarium software and Celestron’s SkyPortal app, which is powered by SkySafari.

All in all, it will make an excellent package for someone to get started enjoying the night sky. Though the optics and accessories are not perfect, for the price their drawbacks can be overlooked, and as an entry-level telescope it paves the way for the user to graduate to increasingly more sophisticated telescopes at a later date.

Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian review

Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian: Design

• Quick and simple set-up
• Portable

The Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian comes out of its box complete, other than its eyepieces and red-dot finderscope in plastic bags. Set-up takes literally minutes — remove the plastic cap over the aperture and the cap on the focuser, insert your eyepiece of choice, screw on the finderscope and you are ready to go. No tools such as screwdrivers or Allen keys are needed— it is just a matter of unscrewing thumbscrews.

We found the finderscope went on easily — more about that later. However, the tiny thumbscrews that lock in the eyepiece were incredibly tight. Pliers didn’t help much and risked damaging the screw. In the end, we found elbow grease was just about enough to unscrew them, but if our review model is typical, then children will definitely need the help of an adult to unscrew these. Once they are unscrewed, they can be tightened to more forgiving tolerances.

Overall we can recommend the build quality of the Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian. Everything is sturdily made, from the Dobsonian base, the optical tube, the easily adjustable tilt and focuser knobs. The mount has a single arm and rotates on a ‘lazy Susan’ turntable.

Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian: Performance

• Three
• Bullet
• Points

This is where we thought that the Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian excelled. For such a small telescope, it was decently versatile.

For example, on the night of April 5, our first target was Jupiter, which was bright in Gemini, and unmistakable as it lay not far from the constellation’s twin stars Castor and Pollux. Jupiter appeared as a bright disk, with perhaps the merest hint of its banding — or was that our imagination? What certainly were real were the four Galilean moons: Io and Europa on one side, Ganymede and Callisto on the other. It was a sight sure to impress beginners and casual observers.

We moved the Celestron Moon Mission’s view towards the multiple star Castor, and the telescope capably split the main binary pair as two close, white stars using the 20mm eyepiece. Another popular multiple star is Mizar and Alcor in Ursa Major. Of course, Mizar and Alcor can be split with the naked eye, but the third visible star in the system is for telescopes only, and again the Celestron Moon Mission showed the three stars clearly.

Slewing east, Arcturus — the second brightest star visible from the U.K., and fourth brightest in the entire sky — appeared a glorious red, evoking its nature as a red giant.

While waiting for the moon to rise (and before taking some time out to watch the Artemis II coverage), we decided to track down some faint fuzzies. The box that the Celestron Moon Mission comes in highlights the Orion Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy as two deep sky objects that the telescope can see. At the time of testing, the Orion Nebula was too low in the west, while the Andromeda Galaxy was not visible. Instead, we hunted down two other nearby galaxies, M81 and M82, in Ursa Major.

Searching for these two galaxies, which are located next to each other in the same field of view, is where the real challenge of using the finderscope, as we described in the Functionality section, really reared its head. In the end, we decided to star hop to the galaxies and struck out in roughly the right direction. Soon the telescope alighted on the two galaxies, visible as two fuzzy patches of light. Looking at them straight on, we found it difficult to discern their shape, but by using averted vision as we looked through the 20mm eyepiece of the Celestron Moon Mission, we could make out the broad disk-shape of the spiral M81, and the elongated cigar shape of M82, and even caught hints of mottling with brighter spots in the edge-on M82 that are better seen in images.

After we watched the live NASA feed of Artemis II going around the far side of the moon, the moon finally rose from our location after midnight. Its phase was a waning gibbous three days after full. As such, the moon appeared bright and reddish, being low to the horizon. Through the 20mm we could see the whole disk, though the phase meant that for most of the lunar surface there was no contrast, making it harder to distinguish craters except for at the terminator.

Adding the 1.25-inch moon filter — more properly known as a neutral density filter that dims the incoming light — helped to limit the contrast and make the details stand out more. Switching to the 8mm eyepiece, with a magnification of 50x, the view jumped closer to the moon and the lunar surface filled the field of view, with bright crater rays visible on dark lunar mares.

Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian: Functionality

• Finderscope is awkward to use when pointed at the zenith
• Focusing is adequate
• Simple to use

The tabletop nature of the telescope poses some challenges for adults using it. As its name suggests, the telescope is designed to go on the top of a table. Usually when we think of Dobsonian telescopes, we think of very large instruments with very large apertures, and eyepieces close to standing height. This Dobsonian, on the other hand, is very small, and without a very tall table we found that we spent a lot of our time bent double looking through the eyepiece. Of course, this also means it is the perfect height for a child.

We found it did pose a problem when using the finderscope. For objects at low elevations, such as Jupiter in Gemini during spring 2026, we found it wasn’t too bad. However, when we wanted to direct the telescope towards Ursa Major at the zenith, the only way we could look through the finderscope was by literally getting on the floor to look through it. This is a problem with all tabletop telescopes, not just the Celestron Moon Mission, and it would be unfair to suggest otherwise — but it is a problem nonetheless.

Once we addressed the tightness of the focuser thumbscrews, we could switch the eyepieces in and out with ease. We found the focuser to be perfunctory. It provides only coarse focusing, with no careful fine-tuning, and sometimes it was tricky to find the sweet spot. Additionally, Newtonian reflectors like this one require collimating for perfect pin-sharp images. Collimating refers to adjusting the secondary mirror (the primary mirror is fixed at the base of the optical tube) so that it aligns and focuses light reflected from the primary just so. It’s also a fact that astronomers hate collimating, as it is a finicky procedure.

Out of the box, the collimation wasn’t bad, and we felt it was also unreasonable to expect beginners and children, whom this telescope is undoubtedly aimed at, to collimate the instrument with no guidance or tools included. Therefore, we reviewed the telescope as it came out of the box, to replicate the experience that beginners and children would receive. Had we collimated the telescope, then it probably would have improved the image a tad.

We found that actually using the telescope, in terms of positioning and pointing, was very simple. It’s worth remembering that Newtonian reflectors reverse their image (up becomes down), and after using smart telescopes, GoTo telescopes and Celestron’s StarSense telescopes with directions provided by a smartphone for so long, that took a little getting used to again! It may confuse beginners and children, but before the days of smart telescopes and GoTo, everybody had to get used to navigating across the sky using a reversed image, so it’s no bad thing.

Should you buy the Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian

If you want to introduce your children to astronomy, then the Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian is the perfect instrument. It is safe to use, with no risk of knocking something heavy over, as it weighs about the same as a bag of sugar, which is amazing really. It is simple to use, in the sense that it is just a matter of pushing and turning, although children might need assistance in pinpointing the location of targets. It’s also a fair all-rounder, as all Dobsonians are – it excels at showing the moon, displays the planets very well, and shows deep-sky objects as best it can for a 100mm-aperture telescope

If you want to see fainter galaxies and nebulae, then you will need a telescope with a larger aperture. If you want to do imaging, then you will need a telescope with a motorized equatorial drive to enable you to track the objects while imaging.

And if you want assistance in finding celestial objects without having to star-hop, then a GoTo or smart telescope might be best for you.

If the Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian isn't for you

If you're looking to spend less, Celestron offers a smaller Dobsonian, the Celestron Firstscope 76. For a more flexible telescope, take a look at the Celestron Inspire 100Z. Or if neither fits the bill, we've rounded up the best telescopes and best beginner's telescopes.

How we tested the Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian

We used the Celestron Moon Mission 100mm Tabletop Dobsonian during the occasional clear nights in the first two weeks of April 2026 from our south-facing garden in the United Kingdom. The temperature was clement, about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), with some modest light pollution to the north and dark skies to the south looking towards a more rural area.

We began observing after 10 pm, with the skies completely dark. The moon was near full at the time of testing — in fact, quite fittingly, one of the nights was the same night that the Artemis II mission went around the moon. However, the moon remained low the entire night, meaning it could only be viewed near moonrise after midnight, close to the horizon, before it became hidden behind a nearby bank of trees for the rest of the night.

Looking forward to the 2026 solar eclipse, happening on Aug. 12? I know I am and even though it's not a total solar eclipse here in the UK (the path of totality crosses Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain), we'll still get to watch the moon obscure around 90% of the Sun, a sight that terrified our ancient ancestors.

However, you'll need proper eye protection, such as solar eclipse glasses, to watch the eclipse safely. Sunglasses are not sufficient for a solar eclipse; instead, you need eclipse glasses that follow ISO 12312-2:2015, the standard for solar viewers. If that number's not somewhere on the glasses, you're at risk of damaging your eyesight, maybe even permanently.

So, read on as we round up the best solar eclipse glasses to buy in the UK. Want a slightly better view? Here are the best places in the UK to see the partial solar eclipse.

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The best smart telescopes have transformed astrophotography over the past few years, combining small telescope optics and automated mounts with dashcam-style camera sensors and image-processing software. The result? Compact devices that can be controlled entirely from a smartphone. Impressively, the DwarfLab Dwarf Mini pushes that concept even further.

Roughly the size of a thick paperback book, it’s one of the smallest smart telescopes yet produced — tiny enough to fit in a jacket pocket while still capable of imaging nebulae, star clusters, the moon and even sunspots. It's also one of the best telescopes for beginners.

Positioned below the larger Dwarf 3 in DwarfLab’s lineup, the Mini sacrifices aperture and resolution for portability. It uses a 30mm refractor paired with Sony’s IMX662 sensor and relies on automated stacking to gradually reveal deep-sky objects. The telescope connects to a phone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and handles alignment, tracking and imaging automatically through the DwarfLab app.

With built-in filters, optional equatorial tracking, and advanced software features such as Mega Stack and Stellar Studio processing, the Dwarf Mini is aimed at beginners and traveling astrophotographers who want a compact, automated imaging system that doesn’t require lots of extra kit — and works well even in light-polluted cities.

DwarfLab Dwarf Mini smart telescope review

DwarfLab Dwarf Mini: Design

• Ultra-compact 30mm refractor telescope
• Internal motorized filter wheel
• Magnetic solar filter
• Lightweight design
• Ideal for travel and eclipse chasing

The defining characteristic of the Dwarf Mini is its size. The body includes a 360-degree rotating base and an articulating lens arm that moves through 225 degrees, allowing the telescope to cover most of the sky. It's significantly smaller than its competitors, including the larger Dwarf 3, making it easy to pack for travel. In fact, it’s easily small enough to slip into a camera bag or carry-on luggage, making it an appealing option for traveling astrophotographers — perhaps including eclipse chasers preparing for the upcoming trio of total solar eclipses beginning in 2026, since a magnetic solar filter is included in the box. Nice touch!

The telescope itself is a 30mm f/5 refractor with a focal length of 150mm. This produces a field of view of about 2.4 degrees, roughly five times the apparent diameter of the full moon. That optical system is paired with a Sony IMX662 sensor, a 1/2.8-inch sensor capable of 2.1MP resolution (1080p). This sensor is all about low noise and sensitivity, making it well-suited to short astrophotography exposures, but not to high-resolution images. Compared with the Dwarf 3’s Sony IMX678 Starvis 2 sensor, which delivers 8.3MP and 4K resolution, the Mini is a step down in terms of detail. However, in practice, the difference is smaller than expected, particularly after image stacking and processing.

The device also features a motorized internal filter wheel, allowing users to switch between broadband and dual-narrowband filters directly in the app to mitigate light pollution and better image nebulae. This avoids the need to install external filters, which are an add-on accessory with some smart telescopes.

The box includes a magnetic solar filter, a USB-C charging cable and a lens cloth. However, a small tripod is not included in the box, which feels like an omission given the Mini’s travel-friendly design. That's not a deal-breaker since any small tabletop (or full-size) tripod can be used, but the all-in-one feel is sacrificed.

DwarfLab Dwarf Mini: Performance

• Reveals deep-sky objects even under light pollution
• Plate-solves stars and stacks short exposures
• Mega Stack combines data from multiple sessions

The Dwarf Mini performs surprisingly well considering its small optics. During testing, it proved capable of capturing bright deep-sky targets such as the Orion Nebula (M42) and the Pleiades (M45), as well as open clusters like M44, even from suburban skies.

Smart telescopes compensate for small apertures by stacking many short exposures over time, gradually building up a deeper image. In standard alt-az mode, exposures are typically limited to around 10-15 seconds to prevent field rotation (which can cause blur). This technique allows the telescope to perform well even under heavy light pollution and/or strong moonlight, making it particularly useful for urban astronomers, where the chance of seeing faint nebulae is virtually zero.

One particularly useful feature is Mega Stack, which combines multiple imaging sessions of the same targets. Instead of capturing everything in a single session, data from several shorter sessions can be added later — even months or years later — to produce deeper images. That's handy when windows of clear skies are few, or if you plan occasional trips to dark skies where better data might be possible.

For more advanced imaging, the telescope also supports an equatorial (EQ) tracking mode, something professional astrophotographers insist upon. EQ mode may not be essential on a travel-friendly smart telescope like this, but its inclusion is impressive. It requires the purchase of an equatorial wedge, such as Dwarf Mini’s Mini Tripod accessory, which we were not able to test during this review. After a simple alignment with Polaris, the mount tracks the sky’s rotation, allowing exposures of up to 90 seconds. It can make a marked difference with very faint targets — though it’s not an essential feature on a smart telescope aimed at beginners.

Daytime performance is also strong. With the included solar filter, the Mini easily captured sunspots and solar activity, while lunar images also showed impressive crater detail.

The main limitation is resolution. The 2MP sensor produces images that look excellent on smartphones and social media, but they lack the detail needed for large prints or serious astrophotography. But for a telescope this small, the results are genuinely impressive.

DwarfLab Dwarf Mini: Functionality

• Smartphone control via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
• Sky Atlas feature for automatic target selection
• Manual pointing and mosaic imaging modes

The Dwarf Mini is designed to be controlled entirely through the DwarfLab smartphone app, which connects via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Once connected, users can browse a built-in sky atlas, which displays objects currently visible from their location. Selecting an object prompts the telescope to plate-solve the surrounding stars, automatically align itself, slew to the target and begin stacking exposures. Imaging sessions can be stopped at any point if you’re happy with the result so far. The app also displays session details such as exposure count and total integration time.

For users who want more control, the telescope can also be manually aimed at any patch of sky, which is particularly useful when imaging newly discovered comets or objects not yet included in the atlas database. For objects larger than its field of view, such as the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), Mini has a mosaic mode, which allows the telescope to capture multiple adjacent frames and stitch them together.

Captured images can then be processed using Stellar Studio, DwarfLab’s built-in image processing software, which is very good at removing noise and adding contrast. Images can be saved in JPG, TIFF or FITS formats, giving beginners a set of sharing-friendly options and more advanced users the chance to download files into desktop processing software.

It’s all remarkably easy to operate once you’re comfortable with how the app works. Beginners can capture solar, lunar and deep-sky images within minutes of set-up, while more experienced astrophotographers can still access advanced features such as EQ tracking and mosaic imaging.

Firmware updates are frequent and install easily through the app, so it’s worth connecting the telescope to your home Wi-Fi before heading to a dark-sky site — you never know when new features will appear!

Should you buy the DwarfLab Dwarf Mini smart telescope?

The DwarfLab Dwarf Mini offers a tempting combination of portability, automation and surprisingly capable astrophotography performance. It won’t replace a full astrophotography setup, but for beginners, urban astronomers, travelers and eclipse chasers, it provides an easy way to capture the night sky — and the sun — without bulky and expensive equipment.

If the DwarfLab Dwarf Mini smart telescope isn't for you

If you're after something with a little higher resolution, the DwarfLab Dwarf 3 is a larger, more powerful version with a 4K sensor and a slightly larger aperture.

ZWO Seestar S30 is a similar smart telescope with automated tracking and an included tabletop tripod, though it's recently been surpassed by the slightly pricier ZWO Seestar S30 Pro, a higher-resolution alternative that boasts superior optics and imaging.

For an overview of the top telescopes in this category, read our 2026 guide to the best smart telescopes.

User reviews

Online reviews of the Dwarf Mini often highlight its portability, simplicity and image quality. One reviewer described it as a “great piece of kit for deep space astrophotography.”

Another wrote: “I had no trouble getting it imaging within a few minutes out of the box,” praising the image quality, autofocus, GoTo accuracy, tracking, and the app. “It's a brilliant piece of kit,” said another user.

However, several users also reported poor quality in planetary images — and that’s certainly true (though it can find the moons of Jupiter).

How we tested the DwarfLab Dwarf Mini smart telescope

Our observations took place on a few clear nights during February and March 2026, in temperatures down to lows of 43 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius) and highs of about 54 F (12 C). Light pollution was between 5 and 6 on the Bortle scale — urban conditions with bright city lighting. Battery life averaged around 4 hours, though longer imaging sessions were supported using an external USB power bank connected to the telescope's USB-C slot.

ZWO is well known for its Seestar smart telescopes but they also make dedicated astronomy cameras for use with telescopes to get highly detailed astrophotography. We have reviewed three of these ZWO astrocams and they have delivered beautiful images of the different objects.

The color cameras like the ZWO ASI183MC Pro and ZWO ASI533MC Pro have delivered beautiful colored detail in galaxies and nebulas, whereas the monochrome ZWO ASI175 mono delivered exceptional solar photography.

Explore the ZWO range on sale at B&H Photo and Video, with the ZWO ASI183MC Pro, ASI153MC Pro and ASI175 mono astronomy cameras 10% off.

An astronomy camera has only one job: To be good at astrophotography, nothing else. They are essentially just camera sensors but full of features that only benefit astro. It has active cooling for reducing image noise, no infrared (IR) cut filter to allow nebula colors in Hydrogen-alpha to be captured and a range of different things that sharpen every aspect of image capture during astrophotography. If you want to start using an astrocam, you will need optics to use with your astrocam, so grabbing a telescope or a special astrophotography telescope is essential.

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Professional astrophotographer Damian Peach gave strong ratings to these astrocams for their performance in capturing deep-sky targets such as the Orion Nebula (M42), the galaxy NGC 6946 and the planet Jupiter.

He said both the ZWO ASI183MC Pro and ASI533MC Pro are suitable for those looking to get a dedicated multi-use camera for astrophotography, including deep sky objects and short exposure lunar and planetary photography. The ASI533 is the pro choice, as it features newer sensor technology with zero amp glow circuitry, decreasing the need for dark frame captures like with the older ASI183MC.

Astronomy expert Jamie Carter tested out the ZWO ASI174mm mono camera to photograph the solar surface, along with a Sky-Watcher Heliostar 76mm and Solar Quest mount. He was able to capture some incredibly detailed images of the solar surface, showing features like sunspots, filaments and prominences.

You should grab a monochrome camera like this if you are interested primarily in getting solar, lunar and planetary photography. They can capture more detail in these objects than color astronomy cameras and then color can be corrected in post-processing.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.

Smart telescopes like the Seestar S30 Pro have changed astrophotography and, arguably, urban astronomy. The Seestar S30 Pro takes that concept further than most. Small enough to fit inside a camera backpack, it combines a refractor telescope, motorized mount, dual cameras and image-processing software into a compact unit controlled entirely from a smartphone. Within minutes of powering on, it can align itself to the night sky, slew to a specified target and begin stacking exposures to reveal galaxies, nebulas and star clusters — even from light-polluted locations.

It makes astrophotography — once a complex and expensive hobby — possible with a single, automated device, though what makes the Seestar S30 Pro particularly interesting is not just its simplicity, but how it changes the experience of observing. Instead of actively operating a telescope, users watch a digital image build in real time. Sure, your eyes don’t see the photons coming from distant galaxies, but that misses the point — urban astronomers can’t see much of those galaxies anyway when using an optical telescope.

Positioned as an upgrade to the original Seestar S30, it introduces higher-resolution 8.3MP imaging, equatorial tracking support and expanded imaging modes aimed at more advanced users.

Designed for beginners, urban astronomers and astrophotographers of any level who are looking for a portable rig, the Seestar S30 Pro is about convenience, capability and a different way to explore the night sky.

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro smart telescope review

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: Design

• Lightweight design
• Dual-camera system
• Full smartphone control

At first glance, the Seestar S30 Pro barely resembles a telescope, being closer in size to a telephoto lens than a traditional optical instrument. That portability is one of its defining strengths — this is a telescope you can realistically take anywhere, whether into a backyard, onto a balcony or on a dark-sky trip. You could even take it as hand luggage on a trip to see a total solar eclipse in a distant land.

The design is deliberately minimal. Aside from a power button and USB-C slot, there are no physical controls. Everything — from slewing and focusing to image capture and processing — is handled through the Seestar app. Once connected to a phone via its own WiFi network, the system operates entirely offline, connecting directly to your phone without requiring an internet connection in the field.

A key feature of this new, improved model is its dual-camera system. The primary telephoto camera is dedicated to deep-sky imaging, using a Sony IMX585 sensor that’s capable of 8.3MP (4K) images, while the secondary wide-angle uses an equally capable Sony IMX586 sensor for sky alignment and wide-field imaging modes.

The included tabletop tripod is solid, if small, so users with backyards surrounded by buildings or trees will benefit from mounting the device on a full-size photographic tripod. It also comes with a handy, high-quality padded shoulder bag to store the telescope and all its accessories.

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: Performance

• Automatic stacking with intelligent frame rejection
• EQ mode enables longer exposures
• Strong results under urban/suburban skies

Using the Seestar S30 Pro is less about operating equipment and more about using an app. After powering on and connecting via WiFi, the telescope automatically plate-solves the stars overhead, determines its position and slews to a selected target. Within minutes, it begins capturing short exposures — typically around 10 seconds — which are stacked in real time to reduce noise and improve detail. Crucially, the system automatically discards poor-quality frames caused by tracking errors, wind shake or star trailing.

The effect of the image stacking is gradual. As more data is collected, a faint patch of light slowly resolves into a nebula or distant galaxy. The longer the telescope runs, the clearer and more detailed the final image becomes, with nebulosity and spiral arms becoming visible. Stars remain sharp across the field of view — the Seestar S30 Pro’s optics may be small, but they are excellent quality. During our test, we produced some superb images of the Orion Nebula (M42), as well as Bode’s Galaxy (M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82), the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13).

Stacking images is a hugely effective way to do observational astronomy under light-polluted urban skies. By stacking multiple exposures and applying built-in filters (there are three), the Seestar S30 Pro can reveal objects that would otherwise be invisible through the eyepiece of a traditional optical telescope.

The all-new equatorial (EQ) mode extends performance further, though aligning the telescope with Earth’s rotation requires purchasing the add-on Seestar TH10 Fluid Tripod Head. This is easy to set up, thanks to an in-app setup process that perfectly positions the tripod and ball head. With Expert Mode engaged, exposures of up to 60 seconds are possible. We tried it on two faint targets — the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13) — and got much greater detail.

Planetary imaging is less impressive, with planets appearing small and lacking fine detail. That said, we did manage to image Jupiter and its moons. The telescope is clearly optimized for deep-sky imaging rather than solar system work — the exception being the moon, which looked fabulous through the Seestar S30 Pro.

ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: Functionality

• Intuitive smartphone app
• Automated imaging and Plan mode
• Built-in processing and FITS export

The Seestar app is central to the entire experience. It acts as both controller and processing platform, offering a planetarium-style sky atlas that displays objects visible from the user’s location. Selecting a target triggers automatic alignment, slewing and image capture. Once imaging begins, the app displays real-time progress, including exposure count and total integration time. Users can stop a session at any time or continue it for deeper results. The telescope can operate largely unattended, making it easy to leave running and check later.

If all of this is beginning to sound like the Seestar S30 Pro is ideal for lazy astronomers, it doesn’t end there. Cue the app’s Plan mode, which allows users to schedule multiple targets for imaging overnight. Orion Nebula not rising until 3 a.m.? No problem. Pre-sunrise comet? Stay in bed. Assuming you’ve checked for clear skies beforehand, the Seestar S30 Pro can observe while you sleep. However, Plan mode does come with limits: exposure time and gain cannot be fine-tuned per target, so users must rely on default settings. For most, that won’t deter.

For those interested in post-processing, the Seestar S30 Pro supports FITS file export, enabling images to be refined in external software such as Siril, PixInsight, DeepSkyStacker or Photoshop (though advanced users dealing in FITS files may find that the system’s 128GB internal storage needs frequent attention). Alternatively, the built-in Deep Sky Stack provides quick results with minimal effort, allowing frames to be discarded and the effective AI Denoise pipeline to be engaged — something that takes a little patience, but delivers excellent results.

How we tested the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro

Testing took place over multiple nights during late winter and early spring, under suburban Bortle 6 skies in cold but not freezing temperatures. It was also used in Bortle 2 skies in sub-zero temperatures, with no ill effects on the 6-hour battery life. The telescope was used to image a variety of deep-sky objects, with sessions ranging from short captures to integrations lasting several hours. Both standard alt-az mode and EQ mode were tested.

Should you buy the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro?

The Seestar S30 Pro is best understood not as a traditional telescope, but as an automated imaging system designed to make astrophotography accessible. It’s also an upgrade on the Seestar S30 that may or may not be worth the money, depending on your needs.

For beginners, it provides a clear pathway into astrophotography without the usual financial or technical barriers. For more advanced users, it’s an efficient grab-and-go system for casual or supplementary imaging.

If the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro isn't for you

If you’re looking for a more affordable entry point, the ZWO Seestar S30 offers similar ease of use, but with lower (2MP) resolution and fewer advanced features. For those who simply want basic, shareable images, it remains a strong alternative.

The DwarfLab Dwarf Mini is even smaller and more portable but it is limited to 2MP imaging. At the other end of the market, the Unistellar Odyssey is a premium smart telescope offering much larger apertures and access to citizen science campaigns, albeit at significantly higher prices.

For an overview of the top telescopes in this category, read our guide to the best smart telescopes.

The Canon 18x50 IS binoculars are ideal for stargazing and are able to deliver clarity on night sky objects, thanks to their image stabilization. The 50mm objective lenses are the benchmark for stargazing binoculars and are able to deliver bright views of the night sky. They are currently 30% off their retail price.

You can get the Canon 18x50 IS all-weather binoculars on sale for $1195 from Amazon.

When it comes to stargazing, image-stabilized binoculars are a cut above the rest. Even at high magnifications, you get detailed views of night sky objects like star clusters and nebulas, instead of shaky worms of light. Our expert reviewer gave the Canon 18x50 IS binoculars four stars and called them 'stargazing ready' thanks to their high 18x magnification and image-stabilization.

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Stargazing with regular binoculars or image stabilized binoculars is the same difference as night and day. Especially at higher magnifications, image stabilization becomes a necessity when using the binoculars without a tripod and you can struggle to get a shake-free view without it.

The Canon 18x50 IS binoculars offer a powerful 18x magnification and 50mm objective lenses for great astronomy performance. You don't need to worry sacrificing low-light capability for image-stabilization. The star clusters, galaxies and nebulas are bright without becoming lines of squiggly light. They are brilliant for bird watching and general use, too, with the image stabilization adding to the quality of all views.

The optical technology stands out with ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass elements for virtually no chromatic aberration (color fringing) and doublet field flatteners for sharp stars from edge-to-edge. Optics expert, Jase Parnell-Brookes, gave them four stars in their full Canon 18x50 binoculars review for enabling a relaxing and impressive session of stargazing. They highlighted the strong grip for sturdiness in challenging conditions but even though they are advertised as all-weather, they are not fully waterproof. At 27% off asking price, this is a huge saving on a pair of binoculars we think are among the best for stargazing.

Key features: 18x magnification, 50mm objective lens diameter, 3.7-degree field of view, 15mm eye relief, 41.6 oz (1.2 kg).

Price history: The Canon 18x50 IS binoculars have a retail price of $1,648 but are often discounted from Amazon for $1,549. This deal from an Amazon seller brings the price down to $1,195, with the official Amazon listing on sale for $1,199.

Price comparison: Amazon: $1,195 | BHPhotoVideo: $1,449 | Adorama: $1,149

Reviews consensus: In our Canon 18x50 IS binoculars review, we praised their the premium features that made it perfect for stargazing: 18x magnification, 50mm objective lenses and superb image stabilization.

Space: ★★★★

✅ Buy it if: You want high powered views of the universe from handheld binoculars without the need for a tripod.

❌ Don't buy it if: If you don't need high magnification or image-stabilization, a lower magnification pair might be more suited to you, like the Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars.

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Aside from fireworks, what better way to celebrate 250 years of independence than by launching your own model rocket into the sky? The limited edition Estes Liberty Star rocket is the perfect model for the job, decked out with a blue and red styling and featuring beginner friendly assembly for an easy setup.

You can get the Estes Liberty Star America 250th Celebration model rocket for $38.84 on Amazon

Estes features a lot in our model rocket guide, with six of their models included. They are the biggest name in model rockets and have the reptuation to back it up. This special edition rocket was designed for the once-in-a-lifetime milestone of 250 years of American independence. For something that is a bit different from a fireworks show, launch this proud rocket and watch it return to solid ground this Independence Day.

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It's an extra-special Independence Day this year, celebrating 250 years of America, and I'm sure that celebrations will be lasting longer than July 4. The Estes Liberty Star is a limited edition model rocket styled in red, white and blue with a projected altitude of 920 feet. It makes a great commemorative decoration of this special anniversary or it might make an exciting first flight for a loved one and kick off a lifelong hobby of model rocketry. If you don't have a launch setup already, we would recommending grabbing an Estes Porta-Pad II and an Estes 3/16-inch Maxi launch rod, along with a C11-5 or D12-5 model rocket engine from a hobby store. Asides from the extra purchases, this is an extremely beginner friendly model rocket, with a setup time under 10 minutes.

Estes is a household name in model rocket enthusiast circles and they helped revolutionise the entire industry in the 1950s with the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). Before Estes and the NAR, teenagers were making their own fuel for model rockets and the lack of regulation often led to severe injuries. Independence Day is synonymous with pyrotechnics but all kinds of explosive material can be life-threatening, so rest assured you are getting a patriotic rocket from a safety pioneer. That being said, extreme caution should always be followed when operating a model rocket with an engine and launch pad, as apart from self-injury, there is also a high risk of fire, so make sure you launch in a wide open area and check local fire laws.

Key features: Red, white and blue styling, beginner skill level, pre-molded plastic fins for easy setup, 15-inch (38 cm) recovery parachute, maximum altitude of 920 feet (280 m), 3.5 oz (99.2 g) weight.

Product launched: June 2026

Price history: This product was launched at $38.84 and has not seen any price fluctuations.

Price comparison: Amazon: $38.84 | Walmart: $38.84

Reviews consensus: We haven't reviewed any Estes rockets but they have a great reputation in the model rocket community and our editor-in-chief Tariq Malik has used a few models and loves them.

✅ Buy it if: You want to celebrate or commemorate the 250th anniversary of Independence Day with a limited edition red, white and blue rocket.

❌ Don't buy it if: You don't have access to a large open area or you live in a restricted area. Local laws and fire codes may totally ban model rocketry in your area.

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Intel co-founder Gordon Moore observed that processing power doubles every two years whilst almost halving in cost. That should translate to older technology dropping in price and year on year seeing the cheapest prices in the sales, right? The reality is far from simple in the world of skywatching.

For stargazers who have dipped their toes into the world of binoculars and telescopes, prices stack up quickly and even one purchase can wipe out thousands of dollars. Now, there are levels to stargazing equipment, budget models like a Celestron Travel Scope 70 telescope and a pair of Celelestron Cometron 7x50 binoculars will run you between $50-$100 but don't expect the best optical performance. At the complete other end of the scale are premium options like smart telescopes and some image-stabilized binoculars which can run from just under $1,000 all the way to $5,000. There are obviously plenty of in-between models but whichever option you pick, you are still seeing a big chunk of money go out of the bank account when purchasing.

Shopping the sales: Prime Day and Black Friday

Sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday are the usual contenders for getting a good chunk of money off a big purchase. Prices fluctuate throughout the year but I would be inclined to say that the best prices on big purchases have been around Black Friday. Take this Unistellar Odyssey smart telescope, which is 15% off for their Father's Day 2026 sale, it had its last cheapest price on Black Friday 2025.

Does that mean you should wait until then for a guaranteed lowest price? It depends. If you are not in a hurry to get it and are happy to wait, then I would advise you to wait and see if you can get it cheaper. Although waiting for too long just means more time not using the instruments and observing the night sky. You could also fall into the trap of waiting too long and missing out on the best deal available at that time.

Changes to the skywatching industry

Take the Celestron Nexstar 8SE; it's currently $200 off, but this is a frequent reduction for this product. Its last cheapest Amazon price was in October 2025 with $300 off but that is a far sight from its cheapest ever Amazon price of $882. If you had kept waiting after seeing this saving, thinking it might get cheaper, you would have missed out on getting it at over $800 off its current full retail price. Bear in mind, this was in Dec. 2019 and a lot has happened since then. Demand for skywatching optics exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, with people staying at home more and looking for outdoor hobbies. Pair this with rising US-China trade tariffs and general inflation and you have conditions for a huge price increase on these kinds of products. There was also a huge $32 million class action settlement reached in 2025, resulting from a legal battle involving major telescope manufacturers and brands following allegations of price fixing and artificially inflated costs.

Development and deployment of new technology can lead to high prices for the newest and most advanced models but it also makes obsolete or older technology much cheaper. The latest wave of fully smart telescopes are incredibly expensive because they represent the latest skywatching technology; they can automatically find objects (nothing new there) but they can also autofocus and image them straight from a smartphone, so you can get warm and toasty inside with a warm beverage if you so desire.

Their release has also driven down the prices of models with older GoTo technology and Wi-Fi-controlled mounts. For an easy comparison: the Celestron NexStar 8SE (2006) represents the first wave with GoTo technology and computerization, the NexStar Evolution 8 (2014) represents the second wave with Wi-Fi integration and the Celestron Origin Intelligent Obsevatory II (2026) represents the third wave, with full smart capabilities.

Binoculars: The new Frontier

Binocular manufacturers are also working with new technologies but more often than not, the best improvements are made in the quality of optics, resulting in cleaner and brighter images. Image-stabilized (IS) models have been getting releases since the 90s, with the consumer wave of electronic stabilization being kicked off by Canon with the release of their 12x36 IS model in 1997. This and their other IS models have been receiving minor upgrades to their functionality and optics, like the latest version of the Canon 18x50 IS binoculars, which feature super-spectra coatings, higher precision manufacturing and eco-glass optics.

In the years since, we have seen other companies hone this technology, make housing smaller, improve optical elements and develop smoother stabilization mechanisms. The 2025 release of Fujifilm's Fujinon Techno-Stabi 1640 image-stabilized binoculars represent brand beating stabilization and high optical quality, which makes them one of the best pairs of binoculars I have ever used. For the 2026 summer sales events, they are currently at their lowest ever price at Walmart.

The handheld optics world is entering a new wave of advancements with the advent of smart binoculars that can identify stars and animals directly through the eyepieces. The upcoming Unistellar Envision smart binoculars use an augmented reality (AR) overlay to identify night sky objects, locate trails and identify landscape features. Their pre-order price was $999, with their release retail price expected to be $1499, so sometimes it can benefit you to invest early with innovative technologies.

The Final Say

Is it worth buying now and risking the price dropping more in later years or waiting for a lower price, only to find that it never comes? Unless you have serious insider knowledge, it depends on what your personal circumstances and budget are right now. If you are going on holiday to a dark sky spot soon and have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for amazing stargazing or an event like a solar or lunar eclipse, you might be happier to sacrifice more money for that experience. If you are just casually interested in getting something but aren't super intent on needing it right now, then waiting could be better.

If you have a huge budget and need stargazing optics quickly, you may not be bothered by a potential price leeway and would benefit from just getting the instrument at a good price but not its best one. If you are a beginner with a low budget who is just getting into skywatching, it can definitely pay off to wait for the best ever price, at least at a yearly low, so that you can save money which might go towards a more advanced piece of equipment in the future.

There are heaps of streaming services available, and if you're anything like us, you'll have subscriptions to several — Apple TV for Severance, Disney+ for Avatar, Hulu for Solar Opposites, and more. What you need is something where you can access them all in one place, on any device, whether you're home or away.

This is where the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus comes in. If you have a device with an HDMI port, you can plug in this USB-esque device and log in to your favorite streamers with the supplied remote. No separate power source is required (unlike the Roku Ultra).

Sure, the user interface isn't as clean as we'd like, and is quite ad-heavy, but if you can bear with it, it's a small price to pay for such a nifty device that will become your new favorite entertainment-providing travel companion.

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There are several versions of the Amazon Fire TV Stick, so be sure to choose the one that suits you (especially when there's so little price difference between them at the moment).

The main difference between this model, the 4K Plus, and the 4K Max, currently selling for $34.99, is that the latter offers 'Fire TV Ambient Experience,' which transforms your TV into an Alexa-powered smart display. Display your own photos, widgets like weather, calendars, stick notes and more.

Key features: 4K Ultra HD streaming, Dolby Atmos audio, Alexa Voice Remote, 8GB storage

Product launched: 2026

Price history: The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus usually retails for around $50, but because it's Amazon's own product, it's regularly discounted, especially during events like Prime Day and Black Friday. If you don't have the cash in the bank right now, we're sure the price will dip again during the next big Amazon Sale.

Price comparison: Amazon: $24.99

Reviews consensus: The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus has earned 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 110,000 reviews on Amazon - seriously impressive. Users praise its ease of use, reliability, picture quality, value for money and speed. The remote control has mixed reviews, with this seemingly retracting from its otherwise glowing reviews. It's worth noting that the remote can be purchased separately if you ever need a replacement. Remember, the Fire TV Stick has voice control too.

✅ Buy it if: You want a portable means of streaming all of your favorite shows from one cable-free device. Take it on vacation to your hotel, buy one for the guest bedroom, or simply keep it plugged into your TV at home.

❌ Don't buy it if: You don't have a device with an HDMI port (e.g., a MacBook Air) and don't want to have to use an adapter.

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Canon is rightly regarded as one of the premier manufacturers of cameras and optical equipment, and the Canon EOS R5 is a reminder of why. Labelled 'a camera of epic proportions' by our reviewer Jacob Little, it's an astonishing $699 off for Prime Day.

Buy this Canon EOS R5 body from Amazon for $2599.

Couple this 45 megapixel Canon EOS R5 body with one of the best lenses for astrophotography and you'll be stunned by its image quality, as our expert was in their Canon EOS R5 review, where they awarded it 4.5/5 stars. It's ideal for astrophotography, but its super-accurate tracking (including eye, face and head detection) means it's also excellent for nature watching and weddings. It's overkill for newcomers but if you're a pro or semi-pro photography you won't regret purchasing this powerhouse of a camera.

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Looking to level up your photography to the point where you can profit from it? Then the Canon EOS R5 is for you, especially now it's reduced for Prime Day. It may have been superseded by the R5 Mark II but this is still a top-tier camera, suitable for pros or would-be pros.

In our review of the Canon EOS R5, our expert remarked that "It might be the most complete camera Canon has ever produced". Not only is it excellent for astrophotography, bringing out the detail in low light conditions, its autofocus and image stabilization is particularly impressive, making it a gift for nature-watchers or event photographers.

It captures images at up to 45 megapixels, and can also save them in RAW format. It likewise captures video in 8K, saving both to or CFexpress or SD. We'd recommend you use RAW when shooting astrophotography to maximize your editing abilities and take advantage of this camera's "superlative resolution and image quality".

Key features: 45MP sensor, 8K video, 100 to 51,200 (expanded 50 to 102,400) ISO range, 5-axis stabilization, excellent tracking.

Product launched: July 2020

Price history: We've seen the Canon EOS R5 drop to this price briefly in February, but it's never been cheaper. Walmart and Best Buy have matched this price if Amazon runs out of stock.

Price comparison: Amazon: $2599 | Walmart: $2599 | Best Buy: $2599

Reviews consensus: In our Canon EOS R5 camera review, our expert called it "A very impressive piece of kit," praising its autofocus and stabilization, leading to some superb quality images. They were also impressed with how well it handled. The camera's Amazon reviews are just as positive, the only real criticism being its price, which this Prime Day deal addresses.

Space: ★★★★½ | LiveScience: ★★★★½

✅ Buy it if: You want the performance of a once pro-level camera but without the price tag.

❌ Don't buy it if: You have little astrophotography experience; for newcomers, this is overkill.

With the next total solar eclipse coming up on Aug. 12, you still have plenty of time to grab solar viewing gear for getting a better look at it. If you are hosting a solar eclipse party or want to make sure everyone in your family has a chance of observing the sun safely, grabbing a multipack of solar eclipse glasses is a great shout. Whilst they may seem like once-in-a-lifetime events, they happen fairly frequently in astronomical terms and can be predicted thousands of years into the future. We have an annular solar eclipse coming on Feb. 6, 2027 and the 'eclipse of the century' coming on Aug. 2, 2027.

Get a six pack of Galaxium solar eclipse glasses, on sale right now for $9.95 at Amazon.

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Solar eclipses are beautiful phenomena and I've heard that observing one is a truly monumental experience. I have never seen one but I can only imagine how mind-blowing it is to see the lunar disk cover the sun and plunge a portion of the world into shade during the day.

Whilst beautiful, eclipses should be approached with the utmost caution. Looking directly at any portion of the sun during any time of the day can result in severe eye problems and even full-blown solar retinopathy (permanent blind spots). This is why you must always use ISO 12312-2 approved solar eclipse glasses or solar viewing gear from reputable skywatching brands.

You should never look directly at the sun, even during a total solar eclipse, as it can result in permanent blindness. This is why it is important to buy solar viewing gear from reputable brands and look for compliance with the international ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Before using any solar eclipse glasses or viewing gear, you must check for scratches, punctures or tears before use to make sure they are safe. This is where a big multipack comes in handy as repeated use of the same pair of glasses could easily render them unsafe to use in years to come. With Amazon Prime Day in full swing, there are some good deals across solar eclipse glasses and other skwatching gear on our Prime Day hub.

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) publishes and updates a list of reputable suppliers on their site for safe solar viewing gear but you can still get safe viewing equipment that is not listed there, as long as it is compliant with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Galaxium and Helioclipse are not endorsed by the AAS but they are ISO 12312-2 compliant and have been made recently, so they are less likely to have degraded over time. There have been cases of companies misprinting the ISO standard on their glasses and have caused confusion, so just watch out and double check the ISO standard on every pair for maximum peace of mind. If you are unsure at any point, it is never worth risking your eyesight for. To skip that worry altogether go with an AAS approved manufacturer such as Rainbow Symphony.

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Who doesn't love a good total solar eclipse, now that we know they're not a portent of the world ending? The next one is on August 12 and these Celestron EclipSmart 12x50 solar binoculars are just what you need to observe the sun safely.

Get these Celestron EclipSmart 12x50 solar binoculars right now at Amazon for $100.

Our expert, Jamie Carter, awarded them four stars in his Celestron EclipSmart 12x50 solar binoculars review, praising their image quality and ease of use. But if you buy them, don't put them away post-eclipse. I've become addicted to sungazing, zooming into our sun and observing its shifting sunspots. It's a fascinating glimpse into how our star works and the turmoil going on beneath its visible surface. Pick these binoculars up and you could be as hooked as I am.

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It doesn't matter if you're into regular solar observation, like I am, or just want to get a better view of the next total solar eclipse; safe sun observation is essential. You don't want to be the one complaining that their eyes hurt after the eclipse, because you can do real permanent damage to them if you view the sun without protection.

These Celestron EclipSmart 12x50 solar binoculars are perfect for watching the sun, offering amazing image quality, thanks in part to their porro prisms. That does, as Jamie remarked in his Celestron EclipSmart 12x50 solar binoculars review, make them heavier, so they'd benefit from a tripod but you'll still get great views handheld.

The solar filters are permanently attached, an important safety measure, and expert Jamie was able to use them to get clear views of sunspots, proving they have real utility beyond eclipse watching. They come with lens covers and a bag to both protect them and carry them around.

Key features: Porro prisms, 0.13 in / 3.3 mm exit pupil, 0.47 in / 12mm eye relief, 892g weight, 12x magnification, 50mm objective lenses, water resistant

Price history: Amazon hasn't actually sold these at $130 in a long time, but it's still a good deal and cheaper than Celestron's own price.

Price comparison: Amazon: $100 | Celestron: $130

Reviews consensus: In our Celestron EclipSmart 12x50 review, expert Jamie Carter remarked that they were "A wise choice if you're after something serious that will last beyond the next eclipse," praising their image quality, though remarking they'd benefit from the addition of a tripod. Its Amazon reviews are similarly positive again, with some remarking on its weight.

Space: ★★★★

Featured in guides: Best solar binoculars

✅ Buy it if: You want a close-up view of the sun, during and after August's eclipse.

❌ Don't buy it if: You intend children to use these; they're too heavy or have little hands. Consider eclipse glasses instead.

Looking for a beginner-friendly telescope? Then you'll love Celestron's Nexstar SE range of go-to telescopes, which takes all the work out of stargazing. And, from the entry-level 4SE to the top-tier 8SE, their prices have been slashed for Prime Day.

Save $100 on the Celestron Nexstar 4SE and $200 on the 8SE at Amazon — both of which we have reviewed and rate highly.

As our expert noted, you can find objects in the sky in a matter of seconds; with the 4SE that'll be planets and bright objects, while with the 8SE you can also spy far-reaching deep-space objects. Whichever model you go for, you'll never be lost in the cosmos again.

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It has been four years since I reviewed the Astronaut Starry Sky projector and donated it to my then one-year-old nephew to enjoy as part of his bedtime routine. Now five years old, he still insists on it being turned on every night, leaving it to fill up his bedroom with lights and lasers until it turns itself off after 90 minutes, thanks to the built-in timer.

You can get this astronaut star projector on sale right now for just $15.19 at Amazon.

The astronaut star projector shown in this deal doesn't match the exact model we reviewed in 2022, but based on what we can see, it's very similar, aside from the color of its knee/elbow pads. For a bit of extra reassurance, there are almost 1500 Amazon reviews for this model, and it scores 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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When we first reviewed the astronaut star projector, we were fairly skeptical about it and unfairly wrote it off as a novelty item. That's until we got our hands on it. We were actually pleasantly surprised with the build quality, and the lights and lasers were as impressive as we'd seen in more 'sophisticated' and more expensive models.

If you'd rather get the model I reviewed, it's also on sale but at a more expensive (but worth it) $27.99.

It is a great value gift for any space enthusiast, but it came into its own when we started using it as a night light. To soothe a young child to sleep. They were spellbound by the lights and lasers, and we loved that we could use a timer to set it to turn it off without risking waking the baby!

This model, though not exactly the same as the one we reviewed in 2022, looks to have all of the same functionality and is highly rated on Amazon. Like us, users were impressed with its build quality, appearance and value for money. Many report being pleasantly surprised by its performance and that gift recipients loved it.

Key features: LED and laser lights, mains powered, remote control, sleep timer, head can be rotated, ornamental when not in use.

Product launched: Not stated, but has been on Amazon for around 2.5 years.

Price history: This version has been on Amazon for about 2.5 years. The price fluctuates between $15 and $20. The lowest it has ever been is $14 for Black Friday in 2025.

Price comparison: Amazon (this model) $15.19 | Amazon (review model) $27.99

Reviews consensus: As we've mentioned, we've not reviewed this exact model, but we did review one that is very similar. We thought it was a great addition to any child or space enthusiast's bedroom. It has stood the test of time, too; the model we reviewed is still in use four years on.

Live Science: ★★★★ | Space: ★★★★

Featured in guides: Best Star Projectors, Best Star Projectors for Kids

✅ Buy it if: You're after a child-friendly star projector to set a calming mood, or to turn a child's room into a wonderful cosmic display. Even if this isn't the exact model we reviewed at this price, you can't go too far wrong — it is a great gift for kids and adults alike.

❌ Don't buy it if: You want a realistic or educational star projector. Though the lights and patterns are pretty, they aren't a true representation of the real night sky. For that, you'll want to consider a disk-based projector like the Pococo Galaxy Star Projector, currently $79.99 at Amazon.

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The Nikon Z8 is an exceptional camera, so much so that our Senior Manager, Jase, bought one recently for astrophotography. Unlucky for them, though, as they paid full price for it.

Since Jase's Nikon Z8 review, there have been several price drops during sales events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, but we've yet to see it as cheap as Walmart's current price of $3,189.95. This is $80 less than Amazon's current listing price of $3,268, though we expect that to price match soon.

Pick up the Nikon Z8 for $3,189.95 at Walmart today — the cheapest we've seen online right now.

We know, we know, this camera, even at the discounted rate, isn't cheap, but there's a reason we rave about it. The Nikon Z8 features in many of our 'best for' guides, including the best cameras for photo and video, where we rank it as best overall, the best cameras for astrophotography, and the best Nikon cameras. We can't remember a time when we've seen the price lower than $3,200.

In Jase's hands-on Nikon Z8 review, they awarded it 5/5 stars, praising both its specifications and real-world performance. A particularly impressive feature is the Starlight View mode, which enables autofocus detection down to -9EV. The best Jase had seen (and they have seen and tested a lot of amazing cameras over the years). There is a dedicated night vision mode for astrophotographers and an expanded ISO range up to 102,400.

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The Nikon Z8 has plenty of features that make it a fantastic choice for low-light photography and astrophotography, but those weren't the only things that impressed Jase during his review.

Nikon has long been known for getting its button layouts right, and the Z8 is no exception. It is so easy to adjust exposure settings on the fly, thanks to the command and sub-command dials, plus the ISO and exposure compensation buttons are positioned right next to the shutter release. It makes the camera incredibly intuitive to use and allows photographers to react quickly in changing conditions.

We've already touched on the Night Vision (Starlight View) mode, but it deserves another mention because it is genuinely useful rather than being a gimmick or a 'nice to have'. It even helps preserve your night vision by displaying menus and settings in red! Pair that with a red headlamp or flashlight and you're golden for not spoiling your stargazing experience.

Key features: Full-frame 45.7MP, 64-25,600 (expandable to 102,400), 8K 60p 12-bit, single SD UHS-II and single CFexpress/XQD card.

Product launched: May 2023

Price history: This camera started life on the market selling for around $4,300. Over time, it has dropped to a typical selling price of around $3,600, with special sale prices in the region of $ 3,400. The Walmart price of $3,189.95 is the cheapest we've seen.

Price comparison: Amazon: $3268 | Walmart: $3189 | B&HPhoto $3396

Space: ★★★★★ | Livescience: ★★★★½ | TechRadar: ★★★★★

Featured in guides: Best cameras, best cameras for astrophotography, best mirrorless cameras, best Nikon cameras.

✅ Buy it if: You want one of the best mirrorless cameras on the market.

❌ Don't buy it if: You're a beginner. This is still an expensive, advanced camera that might be overkill and somewhat intimidating for new users.

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Amazon Prime Day 2026 has kicked off and we are seeing plenty of discounts across telescopes, binoculars and cameras. But there are plenty of deals that either match Amazon's price or even better, blow them out of the water! Like this Walmart deal that gives you $74 off the Amazon price of the Fujinon Techno-Stabi 1640 image-stabilized binoculars!

Amazon has tried to commandeer the summer sales space since it started Prime Day in 2015, but other retailers always come out swinging and bring with them some of the best deals. Even if they are not cheaper than Amazon, rivals tend to at least match the price, so you can still save money with your morals intact.

Our Prime Day hub has all the best Amazon deals as well as those coming from Adorama, Best Buy and BH Photo and Video.

Best anti-Prime Day telescope deals

Best anti-Prime Day binocular deals

Best anti-Prime Day camera deals

Our astrophotography expert, Jamie Carter, has reviewed countless telescopes and optics equipment for us but always maintained a no travel rule when it comes to telescopes. All that changed when they reviewed the ZWO SeeStar S30 Pro, and this Prime Day, it's $35 cheaper.

Get the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro telescope on sale right now at Amazon for $664.

That's not to say the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro is just for deep space; it's a superb all-round smart telescope and we think the previous model, the ZWO Seestar S30, is one of the best telescopes and best smart telescopes.

But what made it just a game-changer for our expert was that, eschewing the bulk of normal telescopes, he could pack it into his camera bag as he explored New Brunswick's dark-sky corridor. He was absolutely stunned by the views of the Whirlpool Galaxy that popped up on his smartphone.

If you want to be similarly awed, snap up the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro and don't forget to check out the other Prime Day Deals on offer.

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The ZWO Seestar S30 is a superb smart telescope, featuring in our best beginner telescopes and best telescope guides, and now ZWO has taken things to the next level with the upgrade, the S30 Pro.

Our expert called the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro a life-changing device. Why? Because it's small enough to fit in a camera bag and yet, it's a impressive alternative to the best cameras for astrophotography.

Venturing into a dark sky zone, he captured some stunning images, including the Whirlpool Galaxy.

"In the smart telescope era, traveling light doesn't have to mean leaving a telescope behind," he remarked, now convert to smart scopes.

It captures 8.3MP / 4K images and side from the telescope itself, comes with a mini-tripod, shoulder strap and bag. You do operate it via a smartphone, and view images on its display, which may not be to everyone's taste.

But if the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro can convert Jamie, our expert astrophotographer, it can convert anyone.

Key features: 30 mm objectiver, 3.1" × 5.5" × 8.3" in., 3.6 lbs weight, battery powered, smartphone required.

Product launched: December 2025

Price history: This is the cheapest the ZWO Seestar S30 Pro has ever been.

Price comparison: Amazon: $664 | Seestar $699

Reviews consensus: Talking about their ZWO Seestar S30 Pro experience, our expert praised this smart telescope and our sister sites Livescience and T3 also sang its praises. The S30 Pro's Amazon reviews are just as positive, with no real criticisms.

Livescience: ★★★★ | T3: ★★★★

Featured in guides: Best beginner telescopes, Best telescopes

✅ Buy it if: You want a super-portable smart telescope that you can take to dark sky sites.

❌ Don't buy it if: You prefer to skywatch the old fashioned way or will only ever stargaze from one site.

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Astrophotography can be confusing and when combining mirrorless cameras, astrocams and telescopes, there is a huge learning curve that can throw people a bit sideways if they are looking to get into it. The Unistellar Odyssey Pro was the first smart telescope that I used and it helped me on my astrophotography journey, allowing me to quickly and easily take awe-inspiring images of deep space objects like the Great Pegasus star cluster and a range of galaxies.

You can get the Unistellar Odyssey Pro smart telescope, on sale right now for $3,909 at Unistellar.

Alongside the usual go-to technology present in all of Unistellar's smart telescopes, the Odyssey and Odyssey Pro models also have autofocus to help even more when imaging the night sky. With Amazon Prime Day well underway and running until June 26, keep an eye on the best prices across all skywatching gear on our Prime Day hub, which tracks deals from all major retailers.

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The Unistellar Odyssey Pro is great for beginners and it was the first smart telescope that I used, so I have a soft spot for it. To start using it, all I had to do was set it up on a clear night and link it to my phone, before allowing the telescope to orient itself and choosing a target to observe. After that, I selected 'enhanced vision' mode, which stacks four second exposures on top of each other to build a stronger and more detailed image, something that makes details in galaxies stand out.

It's definitely a model aimed at those who have very little experience with astronomy and astrophotography, as it not only finds your target, but it focuses on it, too. This is especially useful if you are not confident focusing on stars with a Bahtinov mask and getting them as sharp as possible.

I have hands-on experience with the Pro version, which has a built-in eyepiece with a digital display, but the rendered image is the same as what you can see on your smart device. In all honesty, if you aren't bothered about having a "traditional telescope experience," skip the Pro model and grab the regular Odyssey for $2,209 to save an extra $1,000. For a range of other telescope models, cameras and skywatching gear, check out our Prime Day hub, which tracks all of the best deals amongst this year's summer sales.

All of the Unistellar smart telescopes are great for assisted and easier stargazing, as they all have smooth go-to technology and astro capability. If you think that you may want more control over the focus in your astrophotography or if you want a higher resolution sensor, the eQuinox 2 and eVscope 2 are the company's pro lineup. With all of their models on sale for Father's Day, now is a good time to grab one. While there isn't as much darkness at the moment, they also all double up as solar telescopes with the purchase of a solar filter, something that may come in handy for the Aug. 12 total solar eclipse.

Key features: Newtonian reflector optical design, 5-hour battery life, 4.1 MP Sony sensor, 3.3-inch (85 mm) aperture, 12.6-inch (320 mm) focal length, weight 8.8 lbs (4 kg), fully motorized alt-azimuth mount, 64 GB storage, Nikon-made eyepiece, celestial database of over 5,000 objects.

Product launched: January 2024

Price history: The retail price for Unistellar Odyssey Pro is $4,599. Unistellar has a site wide 15% discount for Prime Day and has taken the price down to $3,909. It was discounted with 20% off for Black Friday last year, but this is the cheapest the price has dropped to since then.

Price comparison: Unistellar: $3,909 | Amazon: $3,909

Featured in guide: Best smart telescopes

Reviews consensus: We thought it gave us great views of the Ring Nebula and the Hercules globular cluster in our Odyssey Pro review. Other users praise the automation, portability and Nikon-made eyepiece for the Pro model. Some users wanted more battery life.

Space: ★★★★½ | Digital Camera World: ★★★★½

✅ Buy it if: You want a quick set-up telescope that you can easily control with a smartphone app and get stargazing in seconds.

❌ Don't buy it if: You need manual controls or higher resolution. You may be better suited to the Unistellar eVscope 2, which is also on sale.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.

When I was looking at taking my first steps into stargazing I wanted a telescope that was affordable and compact so I could pack it away when it was cloudy. I ended up starting my stargazing journey by buying the Celestron Travel Scope 70 and today, thanks to Amazon Prime Day, it's $40 off, making it just $81.

This portable, beginner-friendly Celestron Travel Scope 70 is $81 right now at Amazon.

Not only is this telescope the reason I got into stargazing but it has the pedigree of being from reputable telescope manufacturer Celestron, whose products appear in our best telescope guide and best binoculars guide. It's a breeze to use and super portable with it.

The moment I trained it on the moon and took in the stunning, detailed views of its craters, I was hooked. Now, thanks to Prime Day, you can save big on this fantastic, beginner-friendly scope.

• Check out our Prime Day hub, where we bring you the best deals of Prime Day 2026, including early Prime Day deals.
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It's fair to say that if I hadn't bought the Celestron Travel Scope 70, I wouldn't be into stargazing. I didn't want to spend a fortune or to tie up a room, so the Celestron Travel Scope 70 fit the bill. Several years later, I have a Skywatcher 200P Classic dominating my front room, so you can tell how that went.

So what makes the Celestron Travel Scope 70 such a great starter scope? It's an absolute breeze to use, easy to assemble and while the included 20mm and 10mm eyepieces are basic, they still give you excellent views of objects within our solar system.

And while it doesn't match up to the best deep space telescopes, the Celestron Travel Scope 70 offers respectable views of some deep space objects, light pollution aside. It also comes with a basic version of Celestron's own stargazing software.

Could the tripod be sturdier? Yes, but I personally had no problems with that; my only gripe was that it took a little while to master fine-tuning the scope. But at $80, this is a superb starter scope and an absolute steal.

Key features: 70mm aperture, fully coated optics, a carry bag, a collapsible, full-height tripod, 10mm and 20mm eyepieces, a finderscope and Celestron's Starry Night Software Basic Edition.

Price history: This scope has dipped to around $90 previously but this is the cheapest it's been all year.

Review consensus: This is a superb beginner-friendly scope, especially if you're short on space. I don't regret my purchase one bit and going by its Amazon reviews, most purchasers feel the same, with just a few wishing the tripod was a tad more stable.

✅ Buy it if: You're after a beginner-friendly telescope that can be packed away, or are dipping your toes in skywatching.

❌ Don't buy it if: You're prepared to spend a lot more, and have the room to house a bigger scope. Take a look at our best telescopes guide for other options.

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The Fujinon Techno-Stabi 1640 binoculars were the first image-stabilized (IS) binoculars I got my hands on and they are, quite literally, showstopping. Handheld stargazing actually became fun for me, instead of just getting annoyed at squiggly lines of light. Regardless of whether you are a seasoned binocular pro or a beginner, when you start upping the magnification, views start amplifying hand shake and make observation impossible. What is the point of spending loads on high quality optics if you can't even get a still picture? I truly believe that when it comes to non-telescope stargazing, image stabilization (IS) is one of the best things you can spend your money on.

Get the Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS-L 1640 image-stabilized binoculars, on sale right now for $1,125 at Walmart.

I'm not saying that image-stabilized binoculars aren't expensive. They are, but you would realistically never need to buy another pair of high-magnification binoculars again. I recommend the Fujinon Techno-Stabi 1640 binoculars at full price, so getting $275 off them at their lowest price really is a steal. For prices on other binoculars and other optics, check out our Prime Day hub for the best prices during the summer sales events.

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The Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS-L 1640 image stabilized binoculars sit near the top of the binocular pyramid alongside the other best image stabilized binoculars thanks to their premium Fuji optics, lightweight build and powerful 3-degree image stabilization (IS). It is some of the strongest IS on the market, only being out ranked by other Fujifilm IS binoculars.

40mm objective lenses aren't the biggest for stargazing, where 50mm is the gold standard for low light, but you can't complain when observing star clusters at 16x magnification with zero shake. Even if you were using 16x50 binoculars without IS, that extra light-gathering ability would be useless when observing overhead without a tripod, the resulting view likely to be a mess of squiggly lights.

My favorite target with these was the Mirfak cluster in the constellation Perseus, which I could actually identify at this magnification thanks to the IS. It's amazing using them without the IS, then switching it on and watching the detail of the night sky emerge. They sit in a higher price bracket than regular models, but they really are some of the best optics you can buy for a heavy binocular user and now with over $250 off their asking price on Walmart, it's a great chance to save money on some exceptional technology. We are going to be seeing a lot of deals on binoculars, telescopes and cameras coming up to Amazon Prime Day. It starts on June 23, so make sure you check our Prime Day hub for all the best offers on skywatching gear and space gifts.

Key features: 16x magnification, 40mm objective lenses,+/- 3 degrees of image stabilization, multicoated extra-low dispersion (ED) glass, roof prism optical desing, 1.9 lbs (856 g) weight, 30-hour battery life.

Product launched: January 2025

Price history: This is the cheapest the Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS-L 1640 binoculars have been since May this year, when they dropped to 1150 on Amazon. This Walmart price currently beats Amazon's asking price.

Price comparison: Walmart: $1,125 | Amazon: $1,199 | Best Buy: $1,199

Reviews consensus: I rated the Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS-L 1640 binoculars four and half stars for their smooth image stabilization (IS) and lightweight design. Other reviews remark on the high price but argue that it is justified through the exceptional performance of these binoculars, with the difference made by IS like night and day.

Space: ★★★★½

Featured in guides: Best binoculars, best image-stabilized binoculars

✅ Buy them if: You want stock-still images of the night sky while using handheld binoculars.

❌ Don't buy them if: You want high definition images of deep-sky objects, whilst they can get you better views of them, a special deep space telescope or smart telescope will get you more detailed views of galaxies, star clusters and nebulas.

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Celestron's iconic line of orange NexStar telescopes are all discounted on Amazon ahead of the platform's huge Prime Day sales event on June 23. The beginner NexStar 4SE model was highly rated in our expert review with a score of four stars for easy set-up, a sturdy build and go-to technology to help you find your target observation object. We think it is a great first telescope thanks to its good optics at a relatively low price range.

Get the Celestron NexStar 4SE telescope, on sale right now for $649 at Amazon.

It is the best beginner telescope in our best telescopes guide and is also the best Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope in our beginners telescope guide. Maksutov-Cassegrain is a catadioptric design that uses two mirrors to allow a long focal length to fit into a compact optical tube. This model is great for new stargazers who want to get a better look at their favorite night sky objects without spending a fortune.

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The Celestron NexStar SE series comes in a range of aperture sizes, including four, five, six and eight inch models. A larger aperture provides a sharper, brighter view of dimmer night sky objects like distant star clusters and galaxies. However, the 4SE's aperture is well suited for beginners interested in observing brighter objects, such as the moon and planets including Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It can still get you a better look at objects like the Andromeda galaxy, the Orion Nebula or the Pleiades star cluster, but don't expect to see lots of bright detail and structure.

One of the huge benefits of the NexStar SE range is their go-to technology which uses a remote for picking an object from a 40,000 plus database. After aligning the scope, all you have to do is find the object you want to look at and the 4SE will locate it for you. In a world of expensive smart telescopes, the Celestron NexStar 4SE is a welcome alternative for stargazers who still want assistance finding objects but don't want to pay thousands for it.

In our full Celestron NexStar 4SE review we thought that the model was great for beginners due to its easy set-up of the main fork arm and the sturdy tripod. Even though it is the smallest of the NexStar SE telescopes, it is still bulky to take the whole kit to a stargazing site but once set up, the sturdiness easily warrants the trade-off in portability with serious noise and vibration reduction. It is now $100 off ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2026, which will be running from June 23-26 and is one of the big sales events where we see some big reductions across telescopes, drones and Lego.

Key features: 4-inch (102 mm) aperture, computerized mount with 40,000 plus object database , 52-inch (1325mm) focal length, f/13 focal ratio, 241x highest useful magnification, 23 lbs (10.44 kg) weight, two-year warranty, 25mm eyepiece, finderscope, accessory tray.

Product launched: June 2005

Price history: The Celestron Nexstar 4SE usually retails at $749 but often drops to the $649 price point during sale seasons. It was last at $649 in early January of this year.

Price comparison: Amazon: $649 | Walmart: $649 | Best Buy: $649

Reviews consensus: If you want to get a better view of bright objects in the night sky, the Celestron NexStar 4SE is a great choice for a first telescope. It produces clear and sharp images for its price range, but you may end up purchasing additional accesories to maximise its potential, such as a moon filter or better eyepiece.

Space: ★★★★

Featured in guides: Best telescopes, best beginner telescopes

✅ Buy it if: You are new to stargazing and are wanting to buy your first telescope. The 4SE will give you better views of the moon, Jupiter and bigger deep-sky objects like the Pleaides star cluster.

❌ Don't buy it if: You want a fully manual telescope experience where there is no go-to technology on the mount. You may also want an even easier, automatic stargazing experience. If so, a smart telescope may be a better choice.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.

For those looking to capture images of distant nebulas and galaxies, the Celestron Origin Mark II Intelligent Home Observatory makes the experience easier than ever. Within minutes of taking the telescope out of the box and pairing it with a device, users will be capturing images of deep space with ease. A built-in camera and easy-to-navigate app make the Celestron Origin Mark II one of the smoothest astrophotography experiences we've tried.

That's not to say the telescope is for everyone. Priced at $4,299 (£3,211 GBP), the Celestron Origin Mark II has somewhat of a steep barrier to entry that might turn some beginners off who aren't sure if they want to get serious about an astrophotography hobby. The Celestron Origin Mark II also isn't going to before most users; the Origin series excels at taking crisp images of deep sky objects but isn't going to be your go-to for viewing the moon or the planets of the solar system.

But if you can swing the price tag and are looking for a no-frills, all-in-one astrophotography solution that's ready to use within minutes of unboxing, the Origin Mark II might be what you're looking for. It's a bit larger, heavier and more expensive than some of the smart telescopes we've reviewed, but it offers the image and optics quality you'd expect from a trusted brand like Celestron.

Like many smart telescopes on the market today, the Origin Mark II does not feature an eyepiece. All of the images you'll capture will be sent straight to a smartphone or tablet, making this less of a true telescope experience and more of a photographic rig.

Celestron Origin Mark II review

Celestron Origin Mark II: Design

• Looks more like a standard telescope than some smart observatories
• Easy, fast set up
• Larger and heavier than some smart telescope models

The Origin Mark II is loaded with user-friendly features. The motorized mount has a perfectly placed handle to help users move the telescope around once set up, and its tripod is incredibly sturdy. Just note that the entire unit weighs 41.6 lb (18.6 kg) when assembled; this isn't a telescope you'll want to carry around and move from location to location once it's put together.

Celestron makes several carrying bags for tripods and a padded carrying bag for the Origin optical tube, but we did not try one during this review. We previously reviewed the Celestron Origin Mk I that included a carrying bag, and found the bag very comfortable to carry and well-padded for keeping your investment safe.

The mount also has a red LED that shines down onto a tray with a rail, making this area handy for holding filters or other accessories temporarily while you swap them out. The mount also features a bubble level to help users accurately level the unit during setup. We found this feature especially useful when using the Origin Mk II in mountainous outdoor terrain. The tripod also includes extendable spikes to help it balance on loose or uneven surfaces.

Aesthetically, the Origin Mk II looks nearly identical to its predecessor the Mark I with classic Celestron styling. The white optical tube, which separates from the mount for storage and carrying, resembles many of the traditional tubes in Celestron's long history.

Note that the Origin series makes a good deal of noise when it's powered on and slewing between targets. There are cooling fans inside the optical tube that run while in operation, but they aren't loud enough to be heard from more than a few feet away. The mount's motors, meanwhile, could be heard from inside our house while we were testing the unit in our driveway. It's not a dealbreaker by any means, but just be aware that if you bring this to a star party with other skywatchers, the noise could be an issue in some settings.

The Origin Mark II is controlled entirely through Celestron's Origin app. We tested the app on an iOS device and found it fast and well-organized into just a few menus. Users who are used to using an stargazing app will find the Origin app easy to navigate; simply look through the "Tonight" menu for a list of objects that will be visible for your location and select one to have Origin slew towards it automatically.

From there, its as easy as pressing the Camera icon to get the Origin Mark II to start capturing images in seconds. Origin Mark II will focus automatically, although there are options for manual focus and exposure if users feel confident adjusting settings on their own.

The app will automatically stack and align the images it takes, removing (or at least reducing) the need for post-processing images in other software. In our review, we used the Origin Mark II's automatic settings, and found our images to be clear and detailed without the need for manual adjustment of settings.

However, the Origin Mark II also features a "Snapshot" mode that allows users to take single-image captures of objects such as the moon. We found the Origin Mark II to be well-suited for taking highly detailed images of the lunar surface.

While the manual controls are easy to use, dialing in the exact focuser position can be tricky at first due to the lag between making an adjustment on the app and the telescope responding to it. The focuser controls are a simple 'up' or 'down' button, with a set amount of adjustment and no fine-tuning option.

Celestron Origin Mark II: Performance

• Deep sky objects are bright and detailed
• Locates and tracks objects effortlessly
• No need for stacking or processing images

We tested the Origin Mark II under moderately dark skies (Bortle 4.0), with some urban light pollution nearby. The Origin Mark II we tested came with a nebula filter, which was able to filter out some of the light pollution and offer crisp views of galaxies such as Bode's Galaxy and the Whirlpool Galaxy.

We had a little trouble getting our iOS device to connect to the Origin Mark II's Wi-Fi network; this happened a few times during our review of the Mark I as well. Still, with a little patience, we were able to connect to the scope and begin selecting objects in the app within a few minutes.

Stars appear as bright pinpoints in the images without any color fringes or starburst patterns, and there was virtually no noise in the images.

Intermittent clouds overhead during our review prevented us from taking hours-long exposures of these objects, but even exposures of just 5-10 minutes brought out the shapes and details of deep sky objects in crisp detail.

Celestron Origin Mark II: Functionality

• Very limited controls make for an effortless experience
• Celestron's Origin app is a pleasure to use
• Selecting deep space objects each night is quick and easy

The Origin Mark II and Celestron's Origin app make astrophotography an effortless experience. Once the telescope is paired to your device, the app offers easy-to-navigate menus to choose objects either from a virtual planetarium view or from a list of objects that are visible on a given night.

From there, tapping on any object will offer users a "Center Object" option which will slew the Origin directly to it. Taking an image is then as easy as tapping on the camera icon, and the Origin Mark II will do the rest.

Should you buy the Celestron Origin Mark II?

The Celestron Origin Mark II puts deep space objects right at your fingertips. Within minutes, users can take highly detailed photos even in light-polluted areas. It's a great rig for beginners because it removes the need for multiple pieces of equipment or dedicated software to handle post-processing and stacking of images.

If you're looking for a beginner-friendly all-in-one astrophotography telescope that and the $4,299 (£3,211 GBP) price tag is within your budget, the Origin Mark II might just be what you're looking for. Within minutes of taking it out of the box and installing the app, you'll be able to take your own images of galaxies, nebulas and other deep sky objects.

Maybe I'm just a traditionalist, but without an eyepiece, the Celestron Origin Mark II feels more like an astrophotography rig than it does a telescope; Celestron does call it a "home observatory," after all.

Nevertheless, the Celestron Origin Mark II is one of the easiest-to-use pieces of photographic equipment I've used and would be an absolute joy for someone looking to do beginner-friendly astrophotography at home.

If the Celestron Origin isn't for you

Want to stick with a smart telescope but want something a bit cheaper? We actually think you couldn't do much better than the Vaonis Vespera Pro II. It's astoundingly detailed, smaller and lighter than the Origin and costs less, too.

There's a lot to love about this fully-featured intelligent "home observatory," but we understand that full automation and limited customization aren't for everyone. If you want something more traditional, we'd recommend either the Celestron NexStar 8SE which is a powerful catadioptric with a wide scope for additional high-end eyepieces and other accessories, or if you have an even larger budget, go for the even better Celestron Advanced VX 8 EdgeHD which we gave 5/5 stars in our review.

The Estes Blue Origin New Shepard toy rocket is 17% off for Memorial Day and is actually cheaper than the official Estes webstore. If you are after a beginner's model rocket kit, you won't be disappointed with this model from one of the biggest names in the industry. Our editor-in-chief Tariq Malik crashed it into the ground and said that it was ready to launch again almost instantly.

Get the Estes Blue Origin New Shepard model rocket, on sale right now for $29.99 at Amazon.

We have included a bunch of Estes rockets in our best model rockets guide, so even though we haven't published a review of this product, we are confident it is high quality. It has a 4.6 rating on Amazon and has many positive reviews, with users commenting on the strong build and the details that make it similar to the real New Shepard rocket.

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The Blue Origin New Shepard is a sub-orbital launch vehicle which had its maiden flight in 2015 and is designed for space tourism. Six passengers can be housed in the crew capsule on top and it has succesfully launched 37 times to date!

The Estes New Shepard model is to a scale of 1:66, so while it might not be as big as the real thing, it sure looks like it. Many user reviews praise the details on the replica and it is easy enough for beginners to put together in about 10 minutes.

You can simply display this model rocket but if you want to blast it into the sky, then you will need to buy an engine separately for it. Estes gives a projected altitude of 400 ft on a C6-3 Estes rocket engine but it is also compatible with a C5-3 engine. After launch, a parachute will help the New Shepard come back down to Earth but fear not if the landing is a little rocky! Our editor-in-chief Tariq Malik has crashed this model and it came out unscathed and ready for re-launch.

Key features: Ages 10+, 1:66 scale, requires an engine (sold separately), can fly up to 400ft

Product launched: August 2021

Price comparison: Amazon: $29.99 | Walmart: $42.15

Reviews consensus: We haven't reviewed the Estes Blue Origin New Shepard model rocket but our editor-in-chief Tariq Malik has crashed it hard into the ground and said that it was ready for relaunch almost immediately. It is a tough model rocket. Amazon user reviews are extremely positive. People like how realistic and well-made the rocket is and the rocket makes a great display piece too.

Featured in guides: best model rockets

✅ Buy it if: You want a beginners model rocket that resembles the Blue Origin New Shepard that won't break the bank.

❌ Don't buy it if: You are already experienced with model rockets. This is a simple model and you might be better off looking at a model like the Estes Leo Space Train.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.

The Nikon Action 16x50 is the highest fixed magnification model in the new Action line released in March 2026. They are all-purpose binoculars with big 50mm objective lenses, which are critical for high performance in low-light scenarios. Alongside the 7x50, 10x50 and 10-22x50 zoom models, I tested the 16x50 binoculars for stargazing.

The 16x magnification gets you a lot closer to the night sky and offers eye-popping detail when compared to lower magnifications, but there is a trade-off. You have to pay attention to eye alignment during observation, thanks to the smaller exit pupil, and during the initial set-up, it can take a while to find the right angle for clear views because of a smaller exit pupil.

Add to this the need for super steady hands when observing overhead and you might think these binoculars aren't worth it, but for astronomy buffs and binocular pros, you would be hard-pressed to find this level of optical quality cheaper than the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $170.

Nikon Action 16x50 binoculars

Nikon Action 16x50 binoculars: Design

• Only 16 oz heavier than the 7x50 model
• Rubberized outer shell is good for grip
• Small exit pupil initially tricky to use due to the angle required for a good image disk

The Nikon Action 16x50 binoculars are 0.3-inches shorter in length than the Nikon Action 7x50s, but the design is practically identical. They are 16 oz heavier than the 7x50s, weighing 2.07 lbs (940g), but honestly, when we held them in either hand simultaneously, it was hard to notice the difference.

The Porro prism design has a wide grip surface and when combined with the rubber shell, makes these binoculars easy to hold while out stargazing or when looking at the moon. While they are good for handling, we found the 16x50s quite tricky to use during observation due to a combination of the twist-up eyecup height, the 56-72mm interpupillary distance (the distance between the eyepieces) and the small exit pupil of 3.1mm. We had to experiment with eyecup placement, adjust the interpupillary distance and angle our eyes to get a whole image circle during observation.

These binoculars take a bit of getting used to for stargazing. There are other binoculars like the Nikon Action 7x50 or the Celestron Trailseeker 8x42 that are more grab-and-go. That said, most high magnification binoculars will need some level of getting used to due to emphasized hand shake and a smaller exit pupil.

However, the payoff is worth it in the end, with the Porro prism design and large 50mm objective lens diameter working to produce a bright 3D image of your chosen subject — although, from experience, you will probably have to angle them precisely against your eye socket.

We tested these binoculars alongside the 7x50, 10x50 and 10-22x50 models and in our opinion, the lower magnification options are better for learning the layout of the night sky and locating certain target objects via star hopping. The 16x50s, however, are great for grabbing a close-up and more detailed view of a target when you have found it, and for those with more experience, you may want to opt straight for the 16x in the first instance.

Nikon Action 16x50 binoculars: Performance

• Dazzling views of Orion's belt and the half moon
• Views were shaky when used handheld
• Eye placement matters to produce a full image circle

When you observe using binoculars with higher magnifications, the exit pupil tends to be smaller than that on those with lower magnifications.

For example, for ranges of binoculars that have a consistent 50mm objective lens across their magnification range (e.g., 7x, 10x, 15x), the higher the magnification, the smaller the exit pupil. A smaller exit pupil means that there is less wiggle room for eye placement during observation to achieve a full image circle. If comparing Nikon's Action binocular line models, the 7x50s' huge 7.1mm exit pupil is over twice as large as the 16x50's 3.1mm exit pupil. This initially makes them less satisfying to use, but they bring you so much closer to your target than the 7x magnification can that we believe this period of adaptation ultimately delivers better observations of individual targets.

We used these binoculars handheld and managed to get great views of a range of night sky objects. The stars Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka, which make up Orion's belt, were a spectacle to behold in these binoculars. The three stars spanned the entire image circle from left to right and shone a wonderful blue color in a moonlight-free sky. Just below Orion's belt, we found the Orion nebula (M42) in Orion's sword. We managed to make out some gaseous structure with these binoculars and used averted vision to get a better look at two bright points within the nebula, Theta-1 Orionis and Theta-2 Orionis.

Averted vision is a stargazing technique where you look slightly away from a faint object to make it appear brighter and more detailed. This is because the periphery of your eye is much more sensitive to low-light. Thanks to the higher magnification, using this technique to see the Orion nebula was much more rewarding than lower magnification optics.

Observing Jupiter was easy enough and when used in a steady position, we were able to see the line of Galilean moons alongside the marble of Jupiter. This was not without difficulty, though, as aiming these binoculars upwards without support from a tripod meant that views were shaky. The same can be said for observing the Beehive cluster (M44): although the magnification meant much more detail should be visible through the 16x rather than the 7x or 10x models in this range, views were actually slightly less detailed due to hand shake.

During observation of the moon, when centered in view, the moon was free of chromatic aberration but gained some blue color fringing when moved to the edge of the image. Apart from this, though, we noticed no significant optical distortions or aberrations in real-world use.

With practice, you can get a relatively stable view with these binoculars only using your hands, but the magnification is likely too high for beginners. We would definitely recommend a binocular tripod if you are worried about this or want to share this viewing experience with others. Getting a steady view can be tricky but the payoff is worth it, as we learned when observing a waxing half moon and seeing the lunar craters cast in striking light and shadow by the terminator.

Nikon Action 16x50 binoculars: Functionality

• Tripod adaptable
• 13mm eye-relief
• Tricky eyecup placement

Unless you have incredibly steady hands, you will definitely get more out of these binoculars when using them with a tripod, especially when targets are high overhead. A tripod will also make it a much easier viewing experience if you are having a group stargazing session with friends and family. We would recommend the budget-friendly Manfrotto Element II tripod for an excellent, lightweight and stable option. You will also need to connect your binoculars to your tripod with an adapter, like the Nikon 7650 binocular tripod adapter (sold separately). The Nikon logo in between the barrels unscrews to fit this adapter into place.

As previously mentioned, we struggled with initial observation due to the small exit pupil, eyecups and interpupillary distance. I don't wear eyeglasses and would normally use eyecups at the fully extended position but found that this produced a slightly split image disk when observing. The second-lowest eyecup height adjustment out of four, and a slightly angled placement on my eyesockets, produced a much larger and connected image disk/circle.

These binoculars can be a bit off-putting at first, as it takes a bit of personal experimentation to find the perfect set-up for you. That said, there are four levels of preset eye-relief up to a total of 13mm, which means it is possible to get a good view with them, albeit a bit tricky. During overhead observations, the eyecups can dig in after extended sessions. This extra point of contact can actually help stabilize the binoculars, but it is something to be aware of comfort-wise.

The eyecup covers remain fixed during transport in their soft carry case but the lens caps can fall off easily, which is annoying when trying to keep them as clean as possible during transport. The neck strap is underwhelming: it does the job, but we would recommend a more heavily padded strap if you wanted to use them for longer periods of time. This Nikon Neoprene strap for binoculars is only $25.

Unfortunately, these binoculars lack any kind of water resistance, so while they might be okay in light rain, I wouldn't use them in anything heavier than that. They also lack nitrogen purging, which means they will fog up when moving between environments with differing temperatures and humidity.

How we tested the Nikon Action 16x50 binoculars

We tested the Nikon Action 16x50 binoculars in a city park during the day and at night. For stargazing, we tested them in a city park with a Bortle scale between 5 and 7. Our primary observation targets were Orion's belt, Jupiter, the waxing half moon and the Beehive Cluster in the constellation of Cancer. For terrestrial viewing, we used them during the day in parks for observing wildlife.

During testing in the UK, nighttime temperatures were on average between 46 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit (8-12 degrees Celsius). Seeing conditions were clear and for non-lunar viewing, the skies had minimal or no moonlight.

User reviews

The user reviews for the Nikon Action 16x50 binoculars are limited as they were only announced in February 2026. From our testing, we think they are a good pair of close-up binoculars for observing more details on night sky objects. Users should bear in mind that these binoculars may need some time to get used to the smaller exit pupil which needs precise eye alignment for the best views.

Should you buy the Nikon Action 16x50 binoculars?

If you are a binocular astronomer who wants to start seeing more detail from the night sky, then these binoculars offer a budget-friendly option to do just that. For those who are already familiar with using binoculars and have owned other pairs in the past, this could be a great high-magnification addition to the collection. You are also getting some top-of-the-line Nikon optics for the manufacturer's suggested retail price of $170.

Where a low magnification option is good for learning the wide-field geography of the night sky, higher magnification binoculars are great for getting a closer look at regions or objects with more details, such as nebulas, small asterisms and the lunar surface.

If the Nikon Action 16x50 binoculars aren't for you

If the Nikon Action 16x50 binoculars aren't for you, one of the other models in the new range might suit you. The Nikon Action 7x50s are great for learning constellations in the night sky and locating objects, thanks to their wide field of view. The Nikon Action 10x50s are a good bet if you want a pair that is good for casual stargazing and wildlife observation. For more control over the magnification level, the new Nikon Action 10-22x50 zoom binoculars offer flexibility depending on what you are looking at.

If you have the budget and want some of the sharpest handheld views of the night sky, we would strongly recommend the Fujifilm Techno-Stabi TS-L 1640 binoculars, which offer the same magnification level and some of the strongest image-stabilization (IS) available. They have smaller objective lenses but the IS makes up for this and gives you a shake-free view that immediately makes details visible.

With the release of the new Vespera III and Vespera Pro 2, the prices of the previous models in the Vespera line have dropped, including for the limited X edition of the Vespera II. This special version has a transparent shell so that you can see the inner mechanisms of a smart telescope in action. It also packs in a built-in environmental sensor and a heating system to prevent lens fogging during sessions. Only 300 were produced worldwide and have been on sale since late 2025, so stock is starting to get low.

You can purchase the Vaonis Vespera II X edition, on sale at Walmart for $2,149.

We absolutely loved the Vaonis Vespera II and gave it a huge five stars in our review, praising it for its detailed astrophotography and amazing ability to cut through light pollution. The X edition puts that strong astrophotography capability into a housing straight out of a sci-fi movie, so that it looks at home whether it's under the stars or in your living room.

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This model has the same specification as the Vespera II, with the same Sony IMX585 8.3MP sensor, a fast f/5 focal ratio and CovalENS mosaic technology for creating larger images of the night sky with up to 24MP resolution. The X edition differs with the clear transparent shell, built-in hygrometer and included tall tripod.

Operation is controlled by the Singularity app, where you can start automatic pointing, tracking and image stacking. Finding and taking a picture of a night sky object is relatively straightforward and you can watch the details of a nebula materialise on your smartphone screen.

In our Vespera II review we praised it's well-contrasted images of galaxies and ease of use. Its high-powered optics come packed into a portable body and make it one of the best small telescopes available. It was ready for observation within five minutes and performed well even in a light-polluted area.

There were only 300 units of the X edition made worldwide and it has been on sale since late 2025. Move quickly if you want it because stock is low on Amazon and BH Photo and Video has already sold out.

Key features: 2-inch aperture, 250mm focal length, f/5 focal ratio, apochromatic refractor design, Sony IMX585 CMOS sensor, 8.3MP camera, motorized alt-azimuth mount with go-to capability, built-in hygrometer, 4000 object catalog on Singularity app, 25GB, 4-hour battery life, 11 lbs (5 kg) weight without tripod. Kit includes molded carry case and tall carbon fiber tripod.

Product launched: September 2025

Price comparison: Walmart: $2149 | Amazon: $2149

Reviews consensus: The Vespera II is highly praised for its ease of use, portable design and powerful deep-sky imaging capabilities via live stacking. The X edition offers that same performance with a collector-grade shell and includes a high carbon fiber tripod and molded carry case.

Space: ★★★★★ Digital Camera World: ★★★★½ LiveScience: ★★★★★

Featured in guides: best smart telescopes, best small telescopes, best tabletop telescopes

✅ Buy it if: You want a rare, limited run smart telescope with a clean aesthetic and all the best accessories included for the best astrophotography experience.

❌ Don't buy it if: You prefer a manual telescope or if you don't care about special edition instruments.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.

Telescope maker Vaonis has unveiled two new additions to its smart telescope family, the Vespera III and the Vespera Pro 2, a pair of high-end telescopes designed to provide even better night sky views than their predecessors, the company said.

The new smart telescopes are the latest in the Vespera line of telescopes from Vaonis, the first of which was released in 2022 with the second-generation Vespera II and Vespera Pro models released in 2024. Building on the groundwork laid by the previous models, the Vespera III and Pro 2 — both unveiled last month — boast improvements to the optical design, which Vaonis claims will boost color contrast, reduce chromatic aberration (color fringing) and ensure edge-to-edge sharpness for astrophotography.

Smart telescopes have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among beginners and casual astrophotographers looking for equipment that automates alignment, tracking and image processing. They typically have a built-in image sensor and a go-to automatic mount controlled by a smartphone-app. Users can orient, locate targets and take photos of night sky objects from the palm of their hand, whether that be star clusters, galaxies or nebulas. While we think that smart telescopes are a great way for beginners to observe the night sky, with price tags either at or above $2500, these new releases aren't for budding astronomers on a budget.

Related: I thought my backyard had too much light pollution for astrophotography. The Vaonis Vespera Pro proved me wrong

Vaonis is one of the big companies competing in the smart telescope industry, alongside Unistellar, Celestron, ZWO and Dwarflab. This is a fast-growing area of amateur astronomy that has made skywatching and astrophotography easier than with a manual telescope setup.

Both models are available from BH Photo and Video, with the Vaonis Vespera III priced at $2,490 and the Vespera Pro 2 priced at $2,990.

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The new models build on the Vespera II and Vespera Pro, both of which received positive reviews from Space.com. The external design of the telescopes looks almost identical to the previous Vespera releases but with a new internal lens configuration and a shorter 245mm focal length. A shorter focal length should help deliver a wider field of view, something that is important when imaging larger deep sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy.

Vaonis has also added several features aimed at improving usability. A built-in hygrometer measures humidity levels and works with an anti-fog system designed to prevent moisture from interrupting imaging sessions. The new models also add USB-C support for faster transfer of JPEG and RAW files to a computer.

Vaonis offers several optional accessories for its smart telescopes, including filters for solar imaging, dual-band imaging and light pollution reduction. While those filters are sold separately, the Vespera III and Vespera Pro 2 include an aluminum tripod designed to provide additional viewing height for observations in obstructed environments.

While the Vaonis Vespera III and Verspera Pro 2 are available now from BH Photo and Video and other retailers, we have not yet tested them at Space.com. You can see our review for the Vespera II, as well as our Vespera Pro review, to get an idea of how Vaonis smart telescopes stack up as high-end observing equipment. We also have a guide to the best smart telescopes that can help you decide.

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The Nikon Action range is a new line of binoculars from the optics giant, released in March 2026 to take over from the company's now-discontinued Aculon range, which some users felt was plasticky and didn't have enough eye relief. They can also be seen as a cheaper alternative to the Action Extreme range, which, while waterproof, are a lot heavier and cost more due to their enhanced durability.

I tested four models from the Action range, including the 7x50, 10x50, 16x50 and 10-22x50 zoom binoculars. The new models are not waterproof but are made from an aluminum alloy, which helps them strike a great middle ground between the Aculon and Action Extreme ranges. I tried them all for stargazing and found the 7x50 to be a great pair for beginners due to its low magnification and wide field of view, making it easier to star-hop and familiarize yourself with constellations.

Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars

Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars: Design

• BaK-4 Porro prisms
• Sturdy aluminum body
• Large focusing knob

The body of the Action 7x50 binoculars feels incredibly sturdy while also delivering on a weight of just over 2 lbs (935 g). They look big and heavy, but thanks to the aluminum alloy material used for the chassis, they are stronger than the plastic build of the Nikon Aculon binoculars and lighter than the Nikon Action Extreme binoculars. This is a huge plus for practical astronomy, as it will reduce fatigue when spending long sessions looking at constellations.

The 7x magnification and 50mm objective lenses make them perfect for beginner astronomy and a great first pair. 50mm objective lenses are a good size for letting in lots of starlight, so you get a bright view of the objects you are looking at.

Low 7x magnification is great for astronomy beginners for two reasons. First, it gives you a chance to practice keeping your hands steady, as small magnifications mean that hand tremors are amplified less while aiming at the sky. Second, the wider field of view makes it easier to hop between stars in a constellation, because you can keep them in view while identifying and moving between them.

The Porro prism design provides better internal light reflection without any coatings, which helps provide an image with strong light transmission. This simple prism design means that production costs are kept low while still providing a good image for the user. BaK-4 glass has a higher refractive index and produces a rounder exit pupil than BaK-7 glass, meaning better light transmission and edge-to-edge sharpness.

Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars: Performance

• A wide field of view (FOV) is good for locating objects
• Perfect for seeing constellation structure thanks to the wide FOV
• A massive exit pupil means eye alignment is easy

These binoculars are great for navigating the night sky and while they are perfect for beginners, they would also sit well in an experienced stargazer's gear bag.

They excel in wide-field constellation observation and I used them to practice star hopping around the Big Dipper asterism, starting at Alkaid on the tail, to the double stars of Mizar and Alcor, then on to the stars of the bowl. I did the same with the Orion constellation and although I couldn't make out the Orion Nebula (M42) in much detail, the lower magnification meant I could observe the surrounding stars of Orion more easily. I used them to star-hop from Castor to Pollux in Gemini and then moved diagonally to find the Beehive Cluster (M44) located within the triangle of Cancer. This took a few goes — it was easier with these binoculars as they have a wide field of view, but they did lack the more contrasted images of the cluster I got with the higher magnification models.

I also tested the Nikon Action 10x50 model alongside them, which would be more suitable for someone with astronomy experience who wants more magnified views of night sky objects, or some binoculars for more versatile daytime use, like bird-spotting. Optical performance was practically identical to the 7x50 model except for the increase in magnification. During testing, they offered a closer view of the Orion Nebula (M42), appearing more smudge-like and showing gaseous structure.

One huge benefit of these binoculars is the huge 7.1mm exit pupil. Unlike models with higher magnifications and smaller exit pupils, you don’t have to align your eyes with the eyecups perfectly to achieve a good view. While a larger exit pupil can make the background sky seem brighter, due to the exit pupil delivering sky glow from light pollution to your dilated pupils, the 7x50s offered an immersive night sky experience even when observing in a city park. All of this with a pretty sharp edge-to-edge view with minimal distortion. Obviously, if you took these to a dark sky site, the objects would be much more contrasted against the night sky thanks to a lower level of light pollution.

When I observed Jupiter, I was able to see the very faint line of the most easily observable Galilean moons but couldn't resolve the individual moons at this magnification. For planetary observing, I would definitely recommend a pair with at least 15x magnification and using a tripod to steady the views. Alternatively, you could opt for a binocular with image stabilization if using a tripod isn't possible or is deemed inconvenient.

Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars: Functionality

• Long eye-relief
• Hard eyecups can dig in
• Tripod adaptable

The binoculars' aluminum chassis is covered in a rubberized coating, which helps when handling them because they grip better. This model is not waterproof and isn't even explicitly stated as water-resistant. I think they would be fine in light rain but I wouldn't use them in anything heavier than that.

Eyeglasses wearers will be pleased with almost 20mm of eye relief provided by the hard plastic eyecups, which can be stopped at four different preset heights.

I don't wear eyeglasses, so while using these binoculars at the maximum eye relief and repeatedly aiming them upward, I felt like they were digging into my eye sockets. On the plus side, this does create another point of contact to prevent shake, but it's definitely something to be aware of if you want to use these during extended sessions.

The Nikon logo in between the prisms unscrews to reveal a tripod mount, which is quite standard for many binoculars. This would be useful during longer sessions, when observing with a child who might get tired hands easily, or for those with grip strength issues or arm tremors.

The binoculars come with a thin neck strap, which is OK for casual use, but I would recommend something more padded if you want to carry these around for extended periods. The rubber eyecup cover stays fixed for protection during travel or when not in use.

The objective lens caps, however, come off easily and could easily get lost if not attached to the neck strap. I also found they can come off when getting the binoculars out of the carry case, which wasn't a big worry, but might be risky if using them in dusty or sandy conditions, where you would want the lens caps on at all times except for direct observation.

How I tested the Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars

I tested the Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars in the city both during the day and at night. For stargazing, I tested them in a city park with a Bortle scale between 5 and 7. Our primary observation targets were the constellation Orion, Orion's Belt, the Big Dipper, Jupiter and the Beehive Cluster in the constellation of Cancer. For terrestrial viewing, I used them during the day in parks for looking at small birds and squirrels.

During testing in the U.K., nighttime temperatures were on average between 46 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit (8-12 degrees Celsius).

User reviews

The Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars were announced in February 2026 and released in March 2026, so user reviews are still trickling in for this new model. Based on our testing, they are a great beginner pair of binoculars for astronomy and I think they are a great budget entry into the world of binoculars.

Should you buy the Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars?

If you are a beginner to binoculars or stargazing, then I would highly recommend the Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars. Their low magnification means you get a wider field of view when using them, making it easier to star hop along constellations and locate night sky objects. They are a perfect tool for learning the celestial sphere of the night sky.

They sit at a price point of around $140, so while they are not the cheapest, they are relatively cheap for their class of binoculars. You are also getting high-quality optics from Nikon, with BaK-4 porro prisms that have strong light transmission with an approximate refractive index of 1.568-1.569

If the Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars aren't for you

If the Nikon Action 7x50 binoculars are not for you, then you may want to try the other magnifications in their newly released Action range. I have tried the 10x50, 16x50 and 10-22x50 zoom models, the latter of which gives versatility in magnification.

If you are after pure deep sky observation, I would recommend the Celestron 25x100 binoculars, which need a tripod but have massive objective lenses for letting in plenty of light from dim nebulas and galaxies.

To take your stargazing experience to the next level, try a pair of image-stabilized binoculars. Our best overall pair is the Canon 10x42 L IS WP, which offers supreme control while scanning the skies and shake-free views at a 10x magnification.

Looking for a star projector that'll bathe a whole room in a cosmic display? At just $25, you can't go wrong with this Fliti Galaxy Projector, but it's a limited time deal so you'll have to hurry.

The Fliti Galaxy Star Projector is on sale right now at Amazon for $25

Sick of star projectors disappointing you with their displays? Then you'll be happy to hear that we rank the Fliti Galaxy Projector as best for coverage. It may not be scientifically accurate, but this star projector offers stunning, room-filling projections, without the need to seal off every single source of light. It also boasts a Bluetooth speaker, ideal for playing an audiobook as the Fliti lulls you or a young one to sleep.

Whether it's relaxation or meditation you're after, the Fliti Galaxy Projector offers performance well above its price tag and at $25 it's an absolute steal. But, be warned, this is a limited time deal so when it's gone it's gone.

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Sick of underwhelming star projectors? Then you need the Fliti Galaxy Projector, which we rank as the best star projector for coverage.

Its displays are downright stunning, with laser stars and gorgeous nebulas, transforming any room at the flick of a switch. With its remote control you can lay back and bathe in its stunning visuals, or use the Bluetooth speaker to listen to an audiobook, whatever brings you the most relaxation.

In our Fliti Galaxy Projector review, we remarked that it "will give you some of the best nebulas and aurora-type patterns we've seen in a budget star projector." And, while we're not 100% on board with its green star or its build quality, it's still an impressively capable device.

At $25, it' an absolute steal, a must-have for anyone with an appreciation for the cosmic dance or just looking to give a room a striking visual makeover.

Key features: 5.5 x 4 x 5.1 inches in size, 0.81 lbs weight, will fill standard-sized bedroom, powered via USB, remote control, nonscientific.

Price history: This is the cheapest this projector has ever been, previously sitting at around $40.

Price comparison: Amazon: $25

Reviews consensus: We rank this as the best star projector for coverage. It offers room-filling displays, with utterly stunning nebulas, though the green stars might not be to everyone's taste.

Space: ★★★½

Featured in guides: Best star projectors

✅ Buy it if: You want a powerful, room-filling star projector that offers stunning, shifting displays of nebulas and stars.

❌ Don't buy it if: You want it for education. The displays are breathtaking but this is not a scientific projector.

You've studied Saturn, watched the Big Dipper wind its way around the North Star and you can find Orion's Belt with your eyes closed. Now what? Once you've learned how to navigate the night sky, it's time for some magnification, not to get stars in close up, but to glimpse galaxies, nebulas and distant clusters of stars. These are the so-called deep-space objects, or DSOs, which are not points of light like single planets or stars, but vast structures far beyond the solar system. We're talking objects with subtle shapes, a faint and diffuse glow spread over a large area and hard-to-discern details. Each will be difficult to spot at first, but will reveal not only the reward for patience but also a unique story about the universe's formation and evolution.

For objects like the Orion Nebula, Bode's Galaxy and the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, optics such as telescopes, smart telescopes and binoculars are essential — and so is patience and, for the best views, dark skies. Here's everything a Northern Hemisphere observer needs to know about deep-sky objects — what they are, how to see them and how to plan your observing.

What is a deep-sky object?

For now, forget about telescopes and targets, and consider what a deep-sky object is. These celestial targets beyond the solar system fall into three main categories:

Galaxies: Vast systems containing billions of stars, like our own Milky Way, are sometimes seen face-on and sometimes side-on.

Nebulas: These mighty interstellar clouds of dust and gas come in various flavors according to their origin and how they interact with light, from emission, reflection and dark nebulas to planetary nebulas and supernova remnants.

Star clusters: Groups of stars bound by gravity, either young, loose and close to the solar system (open clusters) or ancient, compact and in the halo of the Milky Way (globular clusters).

You will have seen colorful images of galaxies, nebulas and star clusters from the likes of the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes, but now is the time to lower your expectations. The price for seeing these distant objects with your own eyes is sacrificing color and detail for shades of grey and subtle shapes that require careful observation.

Optics for observing deep-sky objects

There are three kinds of optics for observing galaxies, nebulas and star clusters, from affordable binoculars to the latest and greatest telescopes.

Binoculars: There's a reason why all astronomers advise moving from naked-eye stargazing to a pair of binoculars, not a telescope. Blessed with wide fields of view, binoculars reveal the night sky beyond the reach of the naked eye, able to give excellent views of large and bright deep-sky objects — including star clusters and nebulas and the occasional galaxy (as well as the star-fields in the arc of the Milky Way). However, forget pocket-sized binoculars; you'll need about 10x magnification and 42mm or 50mm objective lenses for decent views, making 10x42 and 10x50 models the most popular for amateur astronomers. Although binoculars offer terrific value, they can also be costly, with image-stabilized models the top choice for detailed views.

Smart telescopes: A relatively new phenomenon, smart telescopes eschew an eyepiece for an image processing chip — much as Hubble and Webb do — so instead of dealing in photons, they deal in images. Combining telescope optics with cameras and image processing, smart telescopes take short exposures and layer them, which produces a cleaner signal. They're ideally suited to urban skies, where they're able to filter out light pollution and reveal deep-sky objects in color straight to a smartphone or tablet.

Traditional telescopes: Alt-azimuth or equatorial? Refractor or reflector? The world of telescopes can be baffling to a beginner, so here is a rule of thumb for observing deep-sky objects — you want a reflector telescope with as large an aperture (the diameter of the primary mirror or lens) as you can afford. They come in all shapes and sizes, with compact, portable Newtonians being the most popular. However, large, good-value Dobsonians offer the best value for large apertures at a lower cost.

How to observe star clusters

No image can match the view of a distant open star cluster (open meaning loose) through binoculars or an optical telescope. Yet, these collections of gravitationally bound stars are surprisingly easy to observe — and there are hundreds to choose from. What you see depends on how bright and how distant they are, but there are plenty of open clusters that are best seen with binoculars (such as the Pleiades) or a small telescope (the Double Cluster in Perseus). More distant open clusters — and all of the 150+ globular clusters in the Milky Way — will require at least a small telescope. Some star clusters will fill the field of view, while others will be small and faint, but most can be glimpsed from light-polluted urban skies.

Here are some of the most popular star clusters in the Northern Hemisphere, with their colloquial name and catalogue designation:

- The Pleiades (M45) open cluster in Taurus

- The Double Cluster (NGC 869 and NGC 884) open clusters in Perseus

- Beehive Cluster (M44) is an open cluster in Cancer

- M35 open cluster in Gemini

- Great Globular Cluster (M13) in Hercules

- M22 globular cluster in Sagittarius

How to observe galaxies

Seeing distant galaxies with your own eyes can be a challenge, particularly from urban areas. Since galaxies are many millions of light-years away, their surface brightness is such that inky black night skies, moonless nights and a large aperture are required (i.e., a large telescope) for most. There are some exceptions, with the most obvious being the Andromeda Galaxy, which is technically visible to the naked eye under dark skies. The Whirlpool Galaxy, Bode's Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy are also relatively easy to spot with moderate equipment and medium magnification (a Dobsonian telescope is an excellent choice for galaxies). There are, however, two skills to remember: let your eyes adapt to the dark before you go galaxy-hunting and, when you have a galaxy in the telescope's crosshairs, look slightly to the side of it, allowing your more light-sensitive peripheral vision to kick in.

Here are some of the most popular galaxies in the Northern Hemisphere:

- Bode's Galaxy (M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82).

- Whirlpool Galaxy (M51).

- Andromeda Galaxy (M31).

- Triangulum Galaxy (M33).

- Pinwheel Galaxy (M101).

- Leo Triplet (M65, M66 and NGC 3628).

How to observe nebulas

There are many types of nebulas, and most disappoint the beginner. The Orion Nebula, a showpiece easily visible in small scopes or binoculars below Orion's Belt, is a bright eyepiece-filling gem. So too is the Carina Nebula seen from the Southern Hemisphere. However, most others require a lowering of expectations and full use of something almost all humans lack — patience. For a glimpse of the spectacular structure and texture of nebula — albeit in black and white — requires a dark sky (though filters like UHC and O-III can help block light pollution and enhance contrast) and repeated observations. However, even modest equipment can produce stunning results under dark skies — and for those in urban areas, smart telescopes work wonders with nebulas.

Here are some of the most popular nebulas in the Northern Hemisphere:

- Orion Nebula (M42) is a diffuse nebula in Orion.

- Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33 and IC 434) is a dark nebula in Orion.

- Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543) is a planetary nebula in Draco.

- Ring Nebula (M57) is a planetary nebula in Lyra.

- Dumbbell Nebula (M27) is a planetary nebula in Vulpecula.

- Lagoon Nebula (M8) is an emission nebula in Sagittarius.

Observing on a budget

You don't need to dive into expensive astronomy gear to come face to face with deep-sky objects. Modest gear is fine; 10x50 binoculars and a 4-inch-aperture reflector telescope are enough to keep you entertained. However, after you've gobbled up the globulars, galaxies and clusters visible in small optics, there may be a temptation to go large. One way to go straight into awe-inspiring views without spending big is a budget smart telescope, which you can leave imaging a faint nebula for many hours, and will give you great results, albeit only as an image. Wherever your journey into amateur astronomy takes you, remember that a dark sky site can offer more improvement than an expensive telescope — and that a second-hand Dobsonian telescope (if you can stand the size) will always be good value.

Planning when to observe

Knowing the best time to view a particular deep-sky object takes time to learn. Everything in the night sky is seasonal, so there will be a particular time of year when a specific object is at its highest in the night sky, in the middle of the night, where you are located. This is an object's culmination, when it is as close to the zenith — the region of the night sky directly above you, where it's darkest — as it ever gets. This is where Earth's atmosphere interferes least.

If you have a GoTo or a smart telescope, the associated software or apps will tell you what objects are best for the time and place you're observing, with stargazing apps and software like Stellarium, Starry Night and SkySafari doing something similar. Choose one, get to know it and use it to create a short observing list to work through when you're outside at night. That way, you'll stay focused and make the most of your time under the stars.

We all know that prime lenses are the best option for capturing the night sky, and depending on how you’re composing your shots, 50mm, 35mm, 20mm and wider options are available for full-frame cameras.

If you want to cover all bases, a selection of primes is essential. 50mm is a useful focal length when capturing foreground objects to create strong shapes, and the Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE is a cost-effective nifty fifty for Sony shooters.

Pair this lens up with one of the best Sony cameras, and you could potentially have a great budget yet professional combination for less wide-angle astrophotography.

Sure, it’s not as premium as the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM, but the Sony lens costs a whopping, almost, three times as much as the Viltrox lens, but there’s no way it’s three times as good. In fact, the Viltrox 50mm is an impressive lens, whichever subjects you’re shooting.

This lens costs a highly reasonable $549 / £525, which is a fantastic price for a 50mm f/1.4. It’s not the least expensive option, and you could save more by opting for a 50mm f/1.8 lens, but when you factor in the great build and the impressive image quality of the Viltrox, it is definitely worth considering.

The Viltrox 50mm f/1.4 is part of Viltrox’s Pro range, which sits just below the flagship LAB range, which includes the impressive Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE.

Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE lens review

Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE: Design

• Solid build quality
• Manual aperture ring
• Wide metal focusing ring

Viltrox lenses have a handful of things in common: excellent build quality and being surprisingly heavy are a couple of these. The lens itself isn’t huge and comes in at roughly the size of most 50mm f/1.4 lenses at 3.33 x 4.37-in / 84.5 x 111mm, but it weighs a colossal 28 oz / 800 g.

To be fair, it balances well with Sony full-frame cameras but is considerably heavier than the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM, which weighs in at a more moderate 18.2 oz / 516 g.

The Viltrox does, however, sport an all-metal and weather-sealed construction, which includes the comfortably wide metal manual focusing ring; something you’d no doubt get plenty of use out of when shooting the night sky.

Then there’s the metal manual aperture ring that can be set to clicked or clickless operation, an AF/MF switch and a programmable Fn button. Weather sealing is great for cold nights out, but that hefty weight isn’t ideal if you have to trek to locations with a variety of lenses in your kit bag.

The lens is made up of 15 elements in 11 groups. This includes one ultra-precision aspherical element, three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements and eight high refractive elements. The front element also features a water and stain-resistant coating, which is useful when working in dark and sometimes cold and damp conditions.

The aperture is made up of 11 diaphragm blades, which produce a pleasing bokeh effect (background blur). The minimum focusing distance is 17.7-in / 45 cm, and the filter thread size is 77mm.

While there aren’t a huge number of filters available for astrophotography, the 77mm filter thread is a standard size if you happen to use color correction filters to remove the orange glow of artificial lighting, or star filters to add a glow to stars. These types of filters are available in both the circular screw-in type and square filters.

Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE: Performance

• Fantastic image quality
• Vignetting wide open
• The sweet spot is f/8

The Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE is a fantastic lens, following what you’d expect from a fast prime lens in terms of sharpness, distortion and overall image quality.

For astrophotography, it’s what happens as the wider end of the aperture range that’s most important, which we’ll cover, but it’s also important to look at the lens in a wider context to give the fairest and, indeed, strongest assessment possible.

The 50mm f/1.4 produces reasonable sharpness at f/1.4, although the corners don’t exhibit a great deal of fall-off. Central and corner sharpness improve incrementally as you stop down the aperture, with f/8 being both the sweet spot of the lens and the setting where image quality takes a leap in a positive direction.

Despite this, shooting between f/1.4 and f/2.8 for astrophotography produces excellent results. Like all fast aperture prime lenses, there’s vignetting wide open, which is f/1.4 for this lens. This reduced slightly at f/2.8 and was gone at f/4.

At the time of writing, there wasn’t a lens profile available in Adobe Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw, so lens corrections, except for chromatic aberration removal, had to be applied manually. The images presented in the review have not had any lens corrections applied, so you can see what the lens is capable of.

During testing, a shot was taken of Christmas lights with trees behind at f/1.4, and there was only the tiniest amount of fringing/chromatic aberration visible. This was easily removed using the "Remove Chromatic Aberration" option in the Lens Corrections tab in Adobe Lightroom.

Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE: Functionality

• No Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
• Fast and silent autofocus
• USB-C port for updates

Just like other prime lenses, there’s not a huge amount to shout about with the Viltrox 50mm f/1.4. This is typically the case because prime lenses traditionally trade on their, hopefully, excellent image quality and fast maximum apertures, with a handful of other features thrown in for good measure, such as manual aperture rings.

Manual focus with the lens is extremely comfortable thanks to the wide focus ring with smooth resistance, while its width makes it easy to use in low light and when wearing gloves. The same goes for the aperture ring, which features click and clickless operation via a switch. The downside of the all-metal construction, however, is that it will get cold when shooting in winter, so gloves will be a necessity.

Moving on to autofocus (AF), which isn’t relevant but remains important to mention, especially if you plan to use the lens for capturing other subjects, is that the AF is fast and silent. AF is powered by Dual Viltrox HyperVCM motors, so half the amount of the Viltrox 35mm LAB lens, but the 50mm managed to lock onto subjects positively during testing. Focusing is also internal, so the front element doesn’t rotate whether focusing manually or with AF.

One feature that’s handy for keeping the lens up to date is the USB-C port on the lens mount. This allows the lens to be powered by a computer, for example and switches on Bluetooth so you can connect the lens to the Viltrox Lens app. Alternatively, you can attach it to a computer via USB-C for firmware updates and use the desktop app instead.

Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE: Price

At $549 / £525, the Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE is an absolute bargain for a pro-spec lens. It may be tier two of the Viltrox line-up with Pro lenses sitting below the LAB series, but just like the flagship lenses, you get the lens, a lens hood, front and rear lens caps and a soft lens case in the box.

To give some context on how well-priced this lens is, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM costs $1448 / £1399, so it’s almost three times the price. The Sony GM is a fantastic lens, but it’s considerably more expensive — you could buy two Viltrox prime lenses for the same amount.

Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE: User reviews

Online reviews suggest that users are extremely happy with the build quality and image quality, but often mention the weight of the lens. Some reviews mention slow autofocus, but this was apparently remedied with a firmware update. The firmware of the lens was updated before our review.

How we tested the Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE

The Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE was tested in combination with the Sony A7R V, which offers an unforgivingly high resolution. The lens was tested at night with a focus on astrophotography, and in daylight to assess sharpness, distortion and general functionality for an all-round approach to testing.

Should you buy the Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE?

If you’re in the market for a fast 50mm prime lens, the Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro FE is a fantastic option well worth considering. The maximum f/1.4 aperture is ideal for astrophotography, and the excellent image quality produced makes it an ideal partner for the Sony A7R V and older R series models.

The focal length isn’t the most versatile for wide-angle astrophotography, but it is perfect when capturing silhouetted objects in the foreground to add context to shots.

Build quality is also excellent thanks to the all-metal design, which includes weather sealing and a water and smudge-repellent coating on the front element.

There’s no getting away from the fact that this is a heavy lens for what it is, but that could be a price worth paying for the overall cost and performance of the lens.

If this lens isn't for you

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 G Master is a premium standard prime lens delivering excellent sharpness alongside Sony’s solid GM build quality. It’s a fantastic lens, but it also costs a lot more than the Viltrox 50mm f/1.4.

The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE is part of Viltrox’s flagship lens series, offering an ultra-fast maximum aperture, excellent image quality and a slightly wider-angle focal length.

The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G is a rare gem — one of those lenses that belies its price and series, offering exceptional image quality for a seriously affordable price. Many people say it’s better than the Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM.

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As telescopes go, the Unistellar Odyssey Pro really is something special. Between its image quality, ease of use and ability to remove skyglow, we think it's one of the best smart telescopes. And, if you're fast, you can get it for nearly $700 off for Unistellar's Earth Day offer, where they are offering 15% off their entire smart telescope range, including the eQuinox 2 and eVscope 2 models.

The Unistellar Odyssey Pro smart telescope is on sale right now at Unistellar for $3,909.

Available in black or, if you don't mind waiting till May, red, the Unistellar Odyssey Pro is a fantastic tool for any beginner skywatcher or astrophotographer. It's an absolute breeze to use with its simple controls and you can be capturing the cosmos in minutes.

We awarded it four-and-a-half stars in our review, praising, amongst other things, how its built-in light pollution removal feature made our pictures of nebulas and galaxies clearer and richer than ever. It's not cheap but it offers superb image quality and this deal takes it below the $4,000 mark.

• We've got you covered with reviews and rankings of the best telescopes, binoculars, star projectors, cameras, drones, Lego, streaming and more.

With a 3.3-inch (85 mm) aperture and 4.1MP image sensor, this smart telescope is a dream for capturing galaxies and nebulas. By using the "enhanced vision" mode, your telescope builds up a stronger image of the deep sky target by stacking 4-second exposures to develop more detail.

Boasting superb image quality (though it's less ideal for planets), it's powerful but also portable enough that you can transport and pack it away with ease. It's the lightest smart telescope that Unistellar offers so it is good for taking to dark sky sites but we also used it to beat light pollution when using it from a city centre balcony.

In our Unistellar Odyssey Pro, we praised its ease of use. As powerful as it is, beginners can take quality images with just a couple of button presses and the smartphone app offers all the control you could want with a database of over 5,000 night sky objects.

Key features: 3.3-inch (85 mm) aperture, 4.1 MP image sensor, 320 mm focal length, motorized alt-azimuth mount, 5 hr battery life, 8.8 lbs (4 kg) weight.

Product launched: January 2024

Price history: This is the cheapest the Unistellar Odyssey Pro has been all year. We've seen it drop further early last year but this is still a major reduction from its $4,599 retail price.

Price comparison: Unistellar: $3909 | B&H Photo: $3909 | Amazon: $3909

Reviews consensus: We think this is one of the best smart telescopes. It's easy to use and offers amazing quality images, even reducing light pollution to an impressive degree.

Featured in guides: Best smart telescopes

✅ Buy it if: You want a powerful but portable smart telescope that takes the work out of stargazing and handles light pollution admirably.

❌ Don't buy it if: You're averse to automation, either on principle or because you like getting to grips with the night sky yourself.

Spring is here and between the warmer weather and the longer days, it's the perfect opportunity to get into drone flying. Now, thanks to this Amazon deal, you can save $120 on the powerful but beginner-friendly Potensic Atom 2 Fly More Combo drone bundle.

You can get the Potensic Atom 2 drone bundle on sale right now at Amazon for $360.

We think it's one of the best beginner drones and aside from being easy to use, this drone can take photos in up to 8K and video in 4K. Thanks to the three batteries included in this deal, it has over an hour and a half of flight time. It also comes with a charging hub and a case.

At full price, it outclasses some of the competition and now, with $120 off, this Potensic Atom 2 Fly More Combo bundle is a steal for any beginner drone flyer or someone looking to upgrade their older kit.

• We've got you covered with reviews and rankings of the best telescopes, binoculars, star projectors, cameras, drones, Lego, streaming and more.

In our Potensic Atom 2 review, we called it "a fantastic little drone with some impressive features and good image quality". That still stands, and its size means you don't have to worry about the drone regulations applying to larger flyers.

With features like automatic take off and landing, return to home and subject tracking, it's an excellent purchase for beginners or those who prefer their drones to have a little autonomy.

It's capable of capturing video in 4K and photos in up to 8K resolution (though it'll only capture 8K in JPG, not RAW). You can take slow-mo video and its green flashing rear light is especially handy for night flying.

With three batteries (and a fast charger) you can fly the Potensic Atom 2 for over three hours (as well as a case and charging hub). If you switch to speed mode you can expect to get less air time but enough for a good session.

Key features: 8.8 oz / 249 g weight, 5.63 x 3.46 x 2.28 in / 143 x 88 x 58mm folded, 3 batteries, 4K video, 8K stills, return to home and auto take-off, 10km/6.2 miles video transmission.

Product launched: April 2025

Price history: Before today's deal, the Potensic Atom 2 Fly More Combo bundle was selling at an RRP of $480. It's a steal at $360 and if Amazon runs out of stock or if you prefer to shop elsewhere, it's the same price at Walmart.

Price comparison: Amazon: $360 | Walmart: $360 | Best Buy: $380

Reviews consensus: This is a fantastic little drone, packed with features, 4K video and 8K stills included, that stand up well to the competition. We awarded it four stars in our Potensic Atom 2 review, and we think it's the best non-DJI drone. Its Amazon reviews are similarly positive and as a sub-250g drone, you don't have to register it.

Space: ★★★★ | T3: ★★★★

Featured in guides: Best beginner drones, best drones

✅ Buy it if: You want a well-built, sub-9-ounce drone that's easy to fly, has a good camera, and outpaces some of the competition.

❌ Don't buy it if: You want a super-powerful pro-level camera drone. Instead, consider the DJI Mavic 4 Pro.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.

Artemis 2 is the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years, so it's no surprise that the Orion spacecraft is loaded with cameras, 15 mounted on the ship and 17 in the hands of the crew. And, thanks to this photographic equipment, we've been treated to some absolutely stunning Artemis 2 photos.

Skip to the gear and buy your own astronaut-worthy cameras and lenses.

What may shock you is just how down-to-earth most of these cameras have been, with some cameras dating back to 2016! What's going on? Our Senior Manager, Jase Parnell-Brookes, explains.

"Alongside monitoring vital sections of the craft and the Integrity crew themselves, there's an array of on-board camera gear that the astronauts are using to document their mission.

The cameras aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have been predominantly Nikon cameras, starting with the Nikon F5 (yes, film!) heading up in 1999, and the Artemis 2 mission follows suit. It may be surprising to many to read that the crew has taken 10-year-old DSLRs with them, the Nikon D5 to be precise.

It's the predecessor of Nikon's last flagship DSLR ever made, the Nikon D6, and with so many more compact mirrorless options available, it might at first seem mad to head to space with this bulkier, heavier model. But when you're heading further from Earth than any human has ever done before, you need to take a tried-and-tested camera to ensure you get those all-important photos sent back home."

Camera gear onboard Artemis 2 and where to buy it

The Integrity crew also has access to Nikon's flagship mirrorless, the Nikon Z9 (read our glowing Z9 review here), to test their viability for future missions (they are much more sophisticated than the D5s). GoPro action cameras also feature, alongside the iPhone 17 Pro Max, for additional photo and video capture.

If it's good enough for a NASA astronaut to take to the moon, it's good enough for you. See below for a full list of their gear with options for the best and cheapest places to buy them.

Additional gear used to document the mission:

Nikon 35mm f/2D lens

Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens (used to image at the Space Center)

Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 ED lens

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens

Nikon FTZ II lens mount adapter (this converts older F-mount DSLR lenses to be used on the newer Nikon Z9 Z-mount mirrorless camera) — this is Jase's presumption based on the 35mm f/2D being used in conjunction with the Z9 in space and retaining EXIF data information.

On top of being able to contribute to citizen science efforts to help defend Earth from asteroids, Unistellar is now calling on anyone with a Unistellar smart telescope to help observe the light curve from NASA’s long-awaited Artemis 2 mission during launch and re-entry.

As a manufacturer of some of the best smart telescopes we’ve tested, this isn’t the first time that Unistellar’s citizen science initiatives have observed major launches, with past missions including observations of the Artemis 1 launch and James Webb space telescope (JWST) launch. Results of Unistellar members’ JWST observations were presented in a scientific study, published in Aug. 2022, which provided light curve data on JWST from launch through to its final destination. This is a chance to observe a historical NASA moon mission and potentially contribute data to a scientific study, even if you have no formal background in astronomy.

I spoke to Dr. Ryan Lambert, a planetary defense scientist at the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) institute, who is heading the planetary defense and upcoming Artemis 2 citizen science missions at Unistellar. He wants as many people to observe this as possible because he believes direct observation by any telescope is better than no observation, especially when international devices can collectively cover hours of observation rather than a single telescope.

We have tested the whole Unistellar range, from the fully automatic Odyssey to the more expert eVscope 2 and eQuinox 2 models. We have used them to observe a range of night sky objects, including galaxies, star clusters and the moon, even from a city center with light pollution. These telescopes are perfect for go-to observation of night sky objects alongside easy astrophotography and the ability to contribute to citizen science missions. If you have clear skies on the evening of Apr. 1 and access to any of the Unistellar telescope range, then you may be able to help contribute to observation of the Artemis II launch.

“As Artemis 2 approaches the moon, this event offers a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of the mission and its trajectory,” said Dr. Franck Marchis, senior planetary astronomer at the SETI Institute and co-founder of Unistellar. “Coordinated observations can provide valuable insights that complement professional data. By capturing this moment, amateur astronomers can play a meaningful role by contributing observations that help refine tracking, improve mission analysis, and strengthen collaboration between the public and the scientific community.”

Things to do before the launch

• Find a location from which to conduct your observation, preferably somewhere with a higher elevation or a clear horizon.
• Check on how clear the skies will be to see if observation is possible.
• Practice by pointing your telescope at the moon, fine-tuning focus (on eVscope 2 and eQuinox 2 models) and exposure, so that when launch happens, you are ready for observing Artemis 2.

How do I observe the Artemis 2 launch with a Unistellar telescope?

1. Connect your Unistellar telescope to the Unistellar App. App store / Google Play store
2. Sign up for an account on the Unistellar app with valid email address.
3. Go to the Unistellar ephemeris page and select Artemis 2 (Artemis II in app) as your target, then enter the date, time and location of your planned observation (if a grayed-out eye symbol appears, the target isn’t visible yet). Click generate and you will receive a link back to your app.
4. Reconnect your telescope and click GoTo, confirm the settings and the right ascension (RA) and declination (Dec) should be entered in the app for you. Click save and when the telescope has finished moving, you can begin the observation by clicking the record button.
5. The telescope will slew to the rocket in real time. If the target disappears, check the ephemeris page again to see when it will be visible again.
6. In a few days you will be invited to join the official Slack community but this is not essential for observation and recording beforehand.

Whether you're buying for yourself or younger skywatchers, the Celestron Firstscope tabletop telescope is a joy to use and, even though I've bought bigger scopes since, it's my go-to for quick skywatching sessions. Now, it's even cheaper in Amazon's Spring Sale, a steal at just $64.

Save up to 15% on this moon-themed Celestron Firstscope and survey the night sky for less.

The Celestron Firstscope is intended for young skywatchers or those who've never handled a telescope before. But, while I've upgraded to a Skywatcher 200P, this scope still gets serious use.

Why? Because it's so easy to use, it's compact enough that you can pick it up in one hand and take it outside. While the included eyepieces are fairly standard, you can easily swap in one of the best telescope eyepieces. We think it's one of the best tabletop telescopes you can buy.

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Whether you're casually surveying the skies or counting down to the next full moon, you can't go wrong with this Celestron Firstscope. It may not be as powerful as some of the best telescopes, but it's super-portable and it's my go-to telescope for when I want a quick stargazing session.

Why? Mainly because it's so easy to use and set up. Yes, it's a tabletop telescope but as I've discovered, you can easily rest it on a trash can or other convenient platform and there's even a 3D printable mount you can use. Children and adults alike will find it a breeze to use.

This setup comes with 20mm and 4mm eyepieces, which are fine, but you can also trade up to any of the best eyepieces. Yes, I have two other telescopes, but I only drag them out when I've got a specific sky object in mind. The Celestron Firstscope is perfect for just seeing what's out there, and bringing out the big guns if need be.

Key features: Newtonian reflector, 2.99-in (76mm) aperture, 11.81in (300mm)
focal length, 20mm and 4mm eyepieces included, dobsonian mount.

Product launched: March 2009

Price history: This is the cheapest the Firstscope has been all year; it was a little cheaper in November of last year but this is still a great deal.

Price comparison: Amazon: $64 | Walmart: $75

Reviews consensus: In our review of the essentially identical Celestron Firstscope 76, we awarded it four stars, remarking that it "Exudes portability, ease of use and a price that's not going to break the bank."

We gave this telescope three out of five stars in our review when comparing it to higher-end models. However, when considering its suitability to beginners, this telescope is impressive, especially for its even cheaper price point over Black Friday weekend.

Space: ★★★★

Featured in guides: Best telescopes, best tabletop telescopes

✅ Buy it if: You are new to astronomy, or are looking for a super-portable telescope that requires zero set-up.

❌ Don't buy it if: You want brilliant deep space views, this scope's optics and aperture aren't quite up to that.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.

Stargazing and astrophotography are ways to gain a closer and more in-depth relationship with the night sky and the wonderful targets that you can find in it. I love taking my binoculars out and gazing at the full moon or trying to find star clusters on darker nights. I have tested out a range of binoculars, cameras and smart telescopes, focusing on the night sky and astrophotography performance. I know how expensive optics get, so any money off is nice to have when you are potentially spending thousands on new gear.

I would recommend buying big-ticket items like big telescopes and advanced mirrorless cameras in major sales periods and with the Amazon spring sale starting soon, we are expecting savings across these areas. Ahead of the start date on March 25, there are already some cheap deals active on some of our favorite picks for the world of night sky observation.

If you're into astrophotography, you'll reach a point where standard tools like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop will only get you so far. Although these tools work as expected from an image-editing perspective, astrophotography requires you to work from a slightly different set of rules — often aligning, calibrating and stacking images of celestial objects — and many standard tools often don't provide these features.

Enter Siril, a free, open-source astronomical image-processing software designed to meet the needs of astrophotography enthusiasts. It's compatible with Linux, Windows and macOS, and it's becoming an increasingly popular choice among amateur astronomers who are seeking a cost-effective, at-home solution for their image-processing needs. We took the 1.2.6 version of the software for a spin to find out how it works.

Siril astrophotography software review

Siril astrophotography software: Pricing

• Free due to open-source approach
• Frequent updates that are often shared across the community

Siril is distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0, allowing users to download, use and modify the software at no cost, as long as the right credit and credentials are provided where appropriate. If you use Siril in any of your work, you're asked to credit the software using specific information featured on the Siril homepage. At a time of mass consumer photo editing software, this rather DIY, homespun approach that used to be the norm in the early days of computing is nice to see — and worth supporting.

The software is available for Linux, Windows and macOS, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users. And because it's based on community-driven development, the software benefits from contributions from a dedicated group of developers and users who continuously work to improve the features and performance. The commitment to being a free and open-source tool makes Siril an attractive option for budget-conscious astrophotographers, as there are no costly subscriptions. What you get instead, however, is a steeper learning curve and less of a focus on shiny user-interface features to help you through the process — there's a lot to learn in Siril.

Siril astrophotography software: User interface

• Minimal user interface that may be unfamiliar to some
• Simple navigation once you understand the workflow

When presented with the initial view of Siril, you'd be forgiven for thinking the overall effect is a little intimidating, and perhaps akin to some of the early image-processing, script-based software programs you may have used in years gone by. But it's worth persevering; Siril's interface is organized into tabs that guide users through the sequential steps of image processing, from calibration to enhancement, and it's quite well laid out when you know what you're looking for. Before you delve into anything, visit the Siril tutorial section, which guides you through everything from getting started with the software to learning how to automate scripts, work with more advanced images, use noise reduction and complete complex computations, depending on the results you're after.

You'll be presented with an initial screen, and if you follow the tutorial, you'll need to put all of the images you want to work with in a separate folder and, within that, four other folders for "darks," "lights," "flats" and "biases." Once you do that, you can run a preprocessing script that essentially stacks these images for you automatically.

Siril astrophotography software: Key features

• Powerful automated stacking
• Postprocessing features that produce fantastic results

Once this stacking is completed, you will be presented with a file to open. This file will render your picture with all of the combined images together. (It will be placed in the Home folder, and you can open it by pressing Open on the top left of the Siril window.) You're not done yet, though. What you'll be presented with at first may look like a blurry, black-and-white approximation of what you hope your final image will look like.

There are a few steps to be completed next, including extracting the background and gradient, and using photometric color calibration to calculate the light that's emitted from each celestial body to correct the color. This feature is especially impressive, as the software will connect to global star databases and identify which stars and deep-sky bodies are in your image. If there's a match, it will automatically adjust the image to correct the color and focus based on these areas of the image you wish to highlight. It also offers multiple star alignment methods, including global star alignment and one-star alignment, thus facilitating the precise stacking of images to improve output.

All of this points to an advanced image-enhancement capability that sets Siril apart from other image-editing software. Its feature set encompasses the essential tools required for high-quality astrophotography image processing, especially of deeper space and detailed images. The preprocessing capabilities address common issues, such as sensor noise and vignetting, and lay a solid foundation for subsequent processing steps.

Siril astrophotography software: Astrophotography features

• Noise reduction algorithms
• Automated star recognition, which is powerful for color correction

In addition to the photometric analysis tools that can enable you to study a range of dark-sky features, the astro features of Siril extend beyond just image processing. Siril can handle a wide range of image and video formats, providing flexibility in data input and output. It's possible to use the software for a variety of scientific research applications, thanks to the rich detail it provides.

At the heart of Siril lies its scripting model. The ability to create and execute scripts enhances efficiency dramatically when you're dealing with extensive collections of high-quality images. The best part is that it is also highly customizable. If you know how, you can write your own scripts to edit specific elements of images.

From an astro perspective, one of Siril's key strengths is the way it handles noise during the stacking process when it aligns and combines multiple exposures. By stacking many frames, Siril uses statistical methods — like median or average stacking with rejection algorithms (e.g., sigma clipping or Winsorized sigma) — to naturally reduce random noise, such as thermal or read noise, while preserving real signals, like stars and nebulae.

Powerful background-extraction and gradient-removal tools help suppress unwanted light pollution or uneven illumination that can resemble noise, and post-processing. It offers wavelet-based denoising, allowing users to target noise at different levels of detail. This method preserves fine structures while minimizing grain, which is a critical feature for astrophotography, where the detail of your image is everything.

Should you download the Siril astrophotography software?

There's a lot to learn in the world of astrophotography, but when it comes to image editing, Siril opens up a whole new world by giving you ultimate control over your images. Because the software is open-source, it benefits from a huge amount of online information about it, and there are plenty of tutorials, images to practice on and expert guidance available for free, which is commendable in its own right.

For these reasons, I highly recommend Siril, and there are few competitors, especially when you consider this software is open-source and offered to the community for free.

For many people who are happy to tackle the formidable task of learning Siril inside out, there's no doubt that this software will be an invaluable resource for both seasoned and novice astrophotographers. By continually evolving through community-driven development, Siril ensures that users will always have access to cutting-edge tools for capturing and processing the wonders of the night sky.

If the Siril astrophotography software isn't for you

While Siril has a steep learning curve, Skylum Luminar Neo allows for fast editing and is affordable. There are many one-click editing tools available as well as AI tools to help make the job easier. If you're looking for a good software for noise reduction, DxO PhotoLab 7 should be your go-to. It has the best noise removal tool that we've tested.

If you're looking to only edit astro photos, Affinity Photo 2 is your best option. We've rated it as the best photo editing app for astro in our best photo editing apps guide. You can stack various types of calibration frames and it has a handy AI editing tool.

Keeping your camera lens clean is essential for capturing sharp, high-quality images. Especially if you're traveling, dust, smudges and fingerprints can easily get on your lens and degrade the image clarity, even when you have one of the best lenses for astrophotography. This will eventually lead to blurry or hazy photos if the lens is not treated properly. Cleaning your lens is relatively straightforward, but it's important to use the correct techniques.

In this guide, we will discuss the best methods for cleaning your camera lens safely, focusing on tools such as air puffers, brushes and cleaning solutions. We'll also look at the right techniques and which parts of the lens require cleaning, as it's important to ensure that the whole lens — and not just the glass portions — is clear of dust and debris. We've also got a handy guide to cleaning your camera's image sensor safely, too.

1. Use an air puffer first

One of the safest and most effective tools for cleaning a camera lens is an air puffer, also known as a blower. This device allows you to remove loose dust and debris without physically touching the lens surface, thereby reducing the risk of scratches. Many air puffers also come with a brush attachment, so you can sweep dust clear of the glass surface. But if you're cleaning the plastic and metal casing around the glass too, it's best to use a different brush so you don't risk scratching the lens itself.

To use the air puffer, hold the camera lens at an angle to allow dust to fall away naturally. Then, use short, controlled bursts of air to dislodge any loose particles. Use the air blower, instead of blowing air from your mouth, as saliva and moisture can create unnecessary smudges. If you plan to apply a cleaning solution, it's best to use an air puffer first to prevent debris from being rubbed into the glass.

The Giottos Rocket Air Blaster and the VSGO Air Blower are two good air blowers. Both are compact and portable, so they're great for travel photography.

2. Brush away debris

If an air puffer does not remove all debris on the first try, a lens brush is the next best option. Brushes designed specifically for camera lenses have ultrasoft bristles to gently lift dust and particles without scratching the glass. It's important to choose the right brush; natural bristles are softer and more effective at picking up fine dust, so even though they're slightly more expensive, I would opt for natural bristles if possible.

Retractable bristles are also almost always preferred. Most lens cleaning kits include a small lever for retracting the brush to keep it clean while it's not in use. Before you use a lens brush, ensure that it is clean. Gently sweep it across the lens in a circular motion. Avoid pressing too hard, as excessive pressure can push debris into the glass. It's also worth using a different brush for lenses than you do for camera sensors, to avoid cross-contamination.

One good option is the LensPen NLP-1, which features a retractable brush on one end and a cleaning tip on the other. Alternatively, I recommend the Koolehaoda Soft Lens Brush, which is made with natural goat hair for ultrasoft cleaning.

3. Apply cleaning solutions

For stubborn smudges, oils or fingerprints, the best approach is to use a lens cleaning solution paired with a microfiber cloth or lens cleaning tissue. Ideally, choose an alcohol-free formula, as alcohol-based solutions can strip protective coatings from the lens. Look for an ammonia-free solution, because anything that's too strong or that contains harsh chemicals can degrade lens coatings over time. If you need a quick solution while traveling, for example, premoistened wipes are a convenient solution, as long as they're kept airtight when not in use so they retain their moisture content.

If you're using a solution that comes in a small bottle, apply a few drops to a microfiber cloth — never directly to the lens. Using gentle, circular motions, clean the center of the lens and work outward. Avoid excessive moisture, as liquid can seep into the lens housing. Finally, use a dry section of the cloth to remove any remaining streaks.

It's also worth looking for a reliable lens brand when you're buying your solution; many lens manufacturers offer their own version. The lens cleaning spray from Zeiss — a trusted brand known for high-quality optics — is a good option. Another decent choice is Eclipse Optic Cleaning Fluid, which can be used for both lenses and camera sensors.

4. Which parts of the lens do you clean?

Although the front glass element is the primary area that needs cleaning, other parts of the lens can also accumulate dust and grime. Front and rear lens elements should be cleaned regularly. Make sure to always use front and back lens caps to minimize dirt accumulation when the lenses are not in use.

For the lens barrel, focus and zoom rings, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the exterior. There's no need to apply any solution, as this can seep through the gaps and get into the electronics of the lens. You can use a soft brush to remove dust from crevices around the buttons and rings.

Additionally, use a dry cloth to clean the metal mount that connects to the camera body, to ensure a secure connection. Again, avoid using liquid cleaners near the electronic contacts.

5. The best lens cleaning services

If your lens has persistent smudges, fungus on the inside of the lens or internal dust, professional cleaning may be necessary. Many reputable services can deep-clean lenses as well as restore them, so these services could be good for restoring old film lenses or lenses that you've kept hidden away for many years.

I highly recommend KEH Camera, which also offers full camera and maintenance packages. Lensrentals.com is another good option that offers equipment rental and lots of online advice about the best way to care for your equipment.

6. Summary

Although it's a relatively routine job, keeping your camera lens clean without scratching it requires careful handling and the right tools. By using an air puffer, a soft-bristled brush and safe cleaning solutions, you will ensure that your lens remains in pristine condition. As with any tool, good care and maintenance will prolong the life of a lens and keep it in excellent working order. To get the best results, it's also worth considering periodic professional cleaning, which can help maintain gear for long-term use.

We all know the feeling of capturing a photo of the nigth sky we're proud of, only to find out later that we must spend hours editing out smudges, flecks of dirt and grime that have embedded themselves within the picture, and this can happen even with one of the best cameras. It's time-consuming and laborious.

While you can fix this after a night of shooting using image editing software, the better method is actually quicker, as many of these issues come from a dirty image sensor. Maintaining a clean camera sensor is essential for capturing clear, crisp images of the night sky. Dust and debris can enter your camera sensor whenever you change lenses and a dirty sensor can lead to dark spots, smudges or blurry patches on your photos.

So grab your favorite camera for astrophotography, take one or two additional tools and give it a spring clean to make your night sky photos come up like new, again.

1. Air puffer (to remove large particles)

Air puffer, air blower, lens air blower, this cleaning tool has a few names. Regardless, they are all designed to do one thing: Blow larger particles off the image sensor first, before touching anything. Why? Because making contact at this point runs the risk of scratching the sensor and doing irreparable damage.

The method

1. Turn off your camera. Many cameras have a sensor-cleaning mode that locks the mirror for easy access, so engage this if you have it (look in your manual if you're unsure).

2. Carefully detach the lens to expose the image sensor and hold the camera upside down. This position allows dislodged dust to fall out rather than settle back onto the sensor.

3. Gently squeeze the air puffer to release short bursts of air onto the sensor; you can place a sheet or cloth under the camera to catch any debris, if you wish.

4. When you're done, replace the lens and take a test shot against a white background at a narrow aperture (e.g., f/16) to see if the dust is removed. If it is, then great. If not, and you can't see any particles when inspecting the sensor again, you might have to move on to the next step.

• Benefits
  • There's no direct contact with the sensor, so it reduces the risk of damage
  • It's inexpensive and widely available
  • It's quick and easy to use
• Drawbacks
  • It's not effective for stubborn dust or oily smudges
  • It can sometimes blow dust around rather than remove it
  • Avoid using canned air, as it may leave moisture or residue on the sensor

2. Sticky pads/swabs to remove debris without leaving residue

Sticky pads, also called sensor cleaning pads, use a gentle adhesive surface to lift debris from the sensor without leaving a residue. If dust on your sensor simply won't budge, sticky pads can be particularly helpful for removing stubborn particles that won't move even after you try to blow them away with an air puffer. They come in press-down/pull-off form or as a swab that you slide from one side of the sensor to the other in one motion.

How to use sticky pads

1. Lock up the sensor as if you were using an air puffer, and lightly press the pad onto the sensor's surface, trying as best you can not to touch any part of the sensor with your fingers.

1.a. If using a swab, align it with the appropriate edge of the sensor and press down lightly.

2. Leave momentarily while the sticky surface collects dust and residue, and then lift gently. Depending on the brand of sticky pad you're using you may need to continue pressing gently across the whole sensor until as much dust as possible is removed. Then gently remove it.

2.a. Slide the swab from one side to another, with gentle to moderate pressure, in one smooth movement. Release from the sensor and discard the swab. Repeat this step with a fresh swab if the dirt is particularly bad and still apparent.

• Benefits
  • Sticky pads are highly effective at removing stubborn dry dust
  • They do not use liquid, so there's a lower risk of streaks or moisture damage
  • Reusable pads are cost-effective over time
• Drawbacks
  • They're not effective for oil or smudges
  • They require careful handling to avoid excessive pressure
  • They must be kept pristine to prevent the transfer of contaminants onto the sensor

3. Cleaning solutions and brushes

If an air puffer and a sticky surface haven't quite done the job or you would like to give your sensor a more thorough clean, you can use wet cleaning methods that are similar to the way you clean your phone screen or monitor. Don't just use any old screen cleaner, though; it's best to use a specialized sensor cleaning solution alongside a new (or very clean) brush or swab. If there are oily marks, smudges or water spots on your sensor, this method is particularly useful.

How to use a cleaning solution

1. Make sure to use a cleaning solution that's specially designed for camera sensors. Apply a few drops onto a sensor swab. Be gentle; you don't need too much.

2. Gently swipe the swab across the sensor, using single, smooth strokes in one direction. You can also use the brush to increase coverage.

3. Let it dry for a moment, and allow any residue to evaporate.

4. Take a test shot against a white background and observe the results. You can remove most smudges with this method.

• Benefits
  • This method is effective for removing grease, smudges and water spots
  • It provides a deep clean when dry methods are insufficient
  • It's designed for delicate sensors, thus reducing the risk of damage when used correctly
• Drawbacks
  • This method can be more expensive, since you must buy specific cleaning fluids and swabs
  • Incorrect technique can lead to streaks or excess liquid on the sensor
  • The brushes need to be brand-new or very clean

4. How to fix scratches, water spots and smudges

These steps may make it sound easy to clean your camera sensor, but the truth is, the tips above assume you have a pristine environment. The reality is that, once a camera's sensor is exposed, you're likely to pick up more dust and grime while you're cleaning, leading to a never-ending cycle of your camera's sensor never being totally clean. Without using the right equipment, you can also very easily damage the camera's sensor. Here, we discuss a few tips for what to do if the worst happens.

Scratches on the sensor

If you accidentally scratch your sensor, it can be a serious problem. But don't worry; cameras often have a glass cover over the sensor, so the scratch may not be on the sensor itself but on this protective layer. If the scratch is very light, it may not affect the image quality. But if it's deep, you may need to inquire about a sensor replacement. It's best to always use soft, clean equipment that's designed for the job.

Water spots on the sensor

Water spots can occur if moisture gets onto the sensor, often due to condensation or accidental exposure to liquid cleaners that are not suited to the job. If you get annoying water spots on your sensor, apply a small amount of the correct liquid onto a sensor swab and gently wipe the affected area. Never spray liquids directly onto the sensor, and try to store your camera in a dry environment with silica gel packs in the bag or nearby to reduce humidity buildup.

Smears and smudges on the sensor

When you're cleaning your sensor, it's easy to accidentally touch it, which often makes you feel like you've made matters worse. If this happens, a specialized sensor cleaning liquid is often the only way to rectify the issue. Don't be tempted to rub off these smears and smudges with a cloth, as you could damage the sensor, spread the smudge to other parts of the sensor or get small fabric particles inside your camera, which would affect the image quality and operation.

5. Professional sensor cleaning services

If you're uncomfortable cleaning your sensor or the contamination is severe, professional cleaning services are a reliable option. Many camera stores and manufacturers offer sensor cleaning for a fee, and authorized dealers and retailers will be able to give sound advice even if they can't carry out the work themselves.

Sending your camera to the manufacturer's official service center ensures expert care but may have longer turnaround times. If you aren't getting good results from cleaning your camera's sensor yourself, or if there's damage to it, you may want to visit a professional store, where staff can provide recommendations and offer these services for a fee.

Summary

Cleaning your camera's sensor is a fairly easy DIY, at-home job. Still, it is also essential maintenance that will help preserve your camera and offer the best possible image quality

An air puffer is probably your first line of defense, but sticky pads and wet cleaning solutions provide deeper cleaning when needed, as long as you keep your materials clean. Knowing how to handle tricky situations, such as water spots or accidental scratches, can prevent costly repairs. With the right approach, you will find it easy to continue capturing stunning images without distractions or marks.

We’re witnessing a surge in the popularity of astrophotography, with Gen Z and beyond embracing the hobby as never before, but it comes with a steep learning curve. As the sun goes down and the stars come out, the familiar rules of photography radically change. Those comfortable with staying on auto in daylight are suddenly faced with manual settings and long exposures, an obsession with staying in focus and a subject — the night sky — that’s constantly in motion.

Astrophotography is not a single technique but many, ranging from simple tripod-mounted nightscapes — where at least the usual rules of composition apply — to highly technical deep-sky imaging rigs using telescopes. Some approaches to astrophotography emphasize simplicity and portability, while others reward patience and precision. Knowing which approach will suit you best depends on what you want to photograph, how much gear you’re willing to carry and how much time you want to spend learning.

Here are five common ways to shoot astrophotography, followed by a practical guide to getting started with any mirrorless or DSLR camera.

1. Smartphones

If you want to dip your toe into the world of wide-field astrophotography, begin with the device you already have. Flagship smartphones have quietly become capable of astrophotography, with ‘night modes’ often excelling at revealing stars, the Milky Way and aurora. For the latter, often viewed in icy conditions, a smartphone can produce excellent results without the painful setup of more complex photography equipment.

If you use one of the best camera phones for astrophotography at night, always shoot in RAW if that’s an option, and know that you’ll be limited by a relatively small sensor and a fixed lens. It’s also highly recommended to find a universal smartphone clamp and a tripod, which will massively improve results, though few smartphone users ever do this. Smartphones offer a surprisingly capable starting point for astrophotography, and serve as a reminder that the hobby is at least as much about technique as it is about equipment.

2. Mirrorless or DSLR camera on a tripod

This is where most astrophotographers begin, and it remains one of the most versatile and rewarding approaches. With one of the best cameras for astrophotography, whether that's a mirrorless or DSLR camera, a wide-angle lens on its widest aperture and a sturdy tripod, you can photograph starry skies and, if you get the timing right, the Milky Way (generally April through September).

Since Earth rotates, the time you can expose for is limited to 25-30 seconds (the wider your lens, the longer), but it’s possible to get some exquisite shots. It’s wise to emphasize composition, pairing the sky with a landscape, foreground interest or city skyline — and to always shoot in RAW to make post-processing easier — but once you’ve mastered the basics, the same techniques will allow you to image aurora and even meteor showers.

3. Mirrorless or DSLR camera on a star tracker

Once you’ve learned the fundamentals of night-sky photography, you can begin experimenting with specialist equipment — and it’s one of the best star trackers that is often the first significant upgrade for astrophotographers.

Compact motorized mounts that rotate in sync with the sky to compensate for Earth’s rotation, star trackers allow much longer exposures without star trailing. That means brighter, more colorful stars and much more light and detail from faint objects, such as the Milky Way and nearby nebulae. Exposure times can stretch to minutes, and ISO can be lowered to create cleaner images that allow much more post-processing. Sounds simple? Unfortunately, it’s not, with polar alignment required before you begin shooting, which can be challenging in the Northern Hemisphere if you don’t know where Polaris, the North Star, is (and even harder in the Southern Hemisphere, where there is no South Star). However, with a bit of practice, these fairly portable (though often heavy) contraptions bridge the gap between casual night photography and more serious astrophotography.

4. Smart telescope

These all-in-one systems — which can be as small and portable as a camera body — combine a small telescope, an image sensor, filters, a motorized mount and image-processing software into a single unit controlled by a smartphone or tablet.

Rather than taking a single long exposure, smart telescopes capture many short exposures and automatically stack them to reduce noise and increase detail and color, gradually revealing a color image of a galaxy, nebula, star cluster or the moon and sun (planets are largely beyond their skill).

Alignment, tracking and processing are automatic, making them so easy to use. Some are so small that they are ideal travel gadgets. However, their stacking and filters make them perfect for revealing deep-sky objects from light-polluted cities and suburbs, where astrophotographers are often left frustrated.

For beginners who want results quickly, or observers short on time, smart telescopes can be an effective solution — but creative control is mostly sacrificed.

5. Deep-sky imaging with a telescope

If you want complete creative control and the ability to shoot exquisite images of deep-sky objects, arm yourself with a telescope, an astronomy camera and a laptop — then find dark skies and hope for favorable weather. With a camera attached directly to a telescope, small, faint objects — such as distant galaxies and planetary nebulae — come into view, though the equipment required can be daunting. As well as choosing a telescope, these setups typically involve an equatorial mount, guiding systems, filters and specialist software. They reward patience and careful planning with highly detailed images, but demand significant time, money and technical knowledge.

Camera, lens and starting camera settings to use for astrophotography

With the right settings and a little patience, almost any mirrorless camera can capture the night sky — but mastering its basics takes a bit of patience. Start by switching to manual mode and shooting in RAW.

Armed with one of the best cameras for astrophotography and the best lenses for astro (14mm to 24mm are favored), put the camera on a tripod (use the camera’s self-timer, a shutter release cable or an intervalometer to reduce vibrations) and set the lens to the widest possible aperture — usually between f/1.4 and f/2.8 — and focus manually on a star or a distant light using live view, zooming in until it appears as small and sharp as possible.

Now comes the fun part — finding a balance between ISO and shutter speed. A good place to start is ISO 800 (for the cleanest possible shots), but depending on your camera, you can go way higher, beyond ISO 6400 on newer models. Shutter speeds typically range from 10 to 25 seconds when using wide-angle lenses, depending on focal length (longer lenses require shorter exposures to avoid star trailing).

Once you’ve found the ideal settings, you can move the rig around as you search for the perfect composition, remembering that images of stars are rather dull — it’s a fabulous foreground that you need for a great shot. Think of a starry sky around a building, a mountain or a tree.

A good, alternative hybrid setup

Astrophotography doesn’t need to mean a complex, expensive setup that’s only good for one thing. For photographers who want one kit that works day and night, a mirrorless camera, a fast wide-angle lens and a tripod form an excellent hybrid setup that’s inexpensive and portable. When you’ve mastered the basics, progress to a star tracker and gradually progress into deeper astrophotography without abandoning everyday shooting.

Whether you start with a smartphone, a tripod-mounted camera or a smart telescope, the ingredients of great astrophotography never change — dark skies, patience, composition and time spent practicing under the stars.

Smart telescopes have taken the astronomy world by storm over the past six years, with all manner of models now on the market catering to all budgets and expertise levels. They have transformed astrophotography, bringing distant nebulae and galaxies into the range of the average person in high-definition, full-color images for the first time.

These ingenious devices are simple to use. Simply download the relevant app onto your smartphone, hook it up to the telescope via Wi-Fi, set your location, run through any automatic setup routines the telescope might require and away you go. There’s no visual eyepiece to look through — your smart telescope is essentially a telescopic camera, and the image builds up in 10-second increments on your phone screen.

Gone are the times of straining your eyesight through an eyepiece on a traditional telescope to try and catch a glimpse of a faint fuzzy — smart telescopes present the universe in wonderful technicolor.

But how should you decide which smart telescope suits you best? Check out this handy guide, which runs down the main brands and their current product range to find the perfect smart telescope for you.

How to choose the right smart telescope for you

Unistellar smart telescopes

One of the first manufacturers of smart telescopes to get their product to market was the French company Unistellar, with their eVscope reaching customers in 2020.

With a Newtonian design, the eVscope's aperture is 4.5-inches (114 mm), which, as far as smart telescopes go, is quite large. Its focal length is 450mm, and it has a 1.3MP Sony IMX224 CMOS color imaging sensor. However, this model has since been largely superseded by the eVscope 2, which has the same aperture and focal length, but a much improved 7.7MP Sony IMX347 CMOS sensor and an exclusive link-up with Nikon to produce an electronic eyepiece. This eyepiece is different to a regular eyepiece on a normal telescope. Rather than the telescope focusing the light to the eyepiece, the Nikon eyepiece on the eVscope 2 is an OLED micro-display — a tiny electronic screen that mimics the immersive experience of looking through a real telescope eyepiece by projecting the digitized image to infinity.

The eVscope 2 has a field of view of 34 x 47 arcminutes, which is just a little wider than the angular diameter of the full Moon (approximately 30 arcminutes, or half a degree). Therefore, it is suitable for imaging the Moon (or the Sun with the addition of a suitable solar filter, available separately) or large deep-sky objects such as the Andromeda Galaxy, the Orion Nebula, and the North America Nebula. It is not suited to imaging the planets, which will appear very small in the field of view. At best, it is capable of just about resolving Saturn's rings and seeing the gap between the planet and the rings. Comets with long tails will, however, be suitable quarry to chase down with the eVscope 2.

Meanwhile, the eQuinox range is of a similar design to their eVscope, but lacks the Nikon eyepiece and has a slightly smaller CMOS sensor (6.2MP), but trades this in for longer battery life (11 hours compared to 9 hours) and a lower price.

Then there’s Unistellar’s Odyssey range, comprised of the Odyssey and the Odyssey Pro. The Odyssey smart telescopes are aimed more at beginners and, therefore, are simpler to use and more lightweight than their heavy-duty cousins, the eVscope and eQuinox, weighing just 8.8 lbs (4 kg) compared to 15.5 lbs (7 kg). This makes the Odyssey more portable and suitable for taking on holiday, to a dark-sky site or a local stargazing event. However, their battery life of five hours is a limitation. The Odyssey smart telescopes are smaller, however, with 3.3-inch (85mm) apertures and 320mm focal lengths, though the Odyssey Pro is equipped with the Nikon eyepiece technology, and its imaging sensor is a Sony IMX415 chip with 8MP. There’s even a limited edition version in bright red.

The Odyssey range has a field of view of 33.6 x 45 arcminutes, so a little smaller than the eVscope and eQuinox, but it actually frames smaller deep-sky objects much better. It is still not best suited to solar system imaging, though.

Given their prices are in excess of $2500, going up to $4999, Unistellar is definitely operating at the premium end of the market.

Vaonis smart telescopes

Another French smart telescope company is Vaonis, who have quickly established themselves as a leader of the field. They currently have three models on the market: The Vespera II, the Vespera X and the Vespera Pro.

The Vespera II, as the name suggests, is an upgrade of Vaonis’ original smart telescope, the Vespera. Its white, ovoid shape is unmistakable, and costing $1750, it is firmly in the mid-price range.

At 2-inches (50mm), its aperture and focal length (250mm) are far smaller than those of the Unistellar smart telescopes, but its Sony IMX585 color CMOS sensor at 8.3MP still out-punches the Unistellar’s imaging chips. It has a much larger field of view, too, of 2.5 x 1.4 degrees (150 x 84 arcminutes), which means that objects inevitably look much smaller in the vast field of view compared to the Unistellar models. This effectively rules out solar system imaging. Battery life is also not great, at just four hours.

The Vespera X is a limited edition that is the same basic smart telescope as the Vespera II, but with a see-through casing so that you can see the electronics inside, and a carbon high tripod. Only 150 have been made and cost $2290, so get yours while you can!

The Vespera Pro is the real upgrade. Its aperture and focal length are still 50mm and 250mm, but it sports a more advanced Sony IMX676 12.5MP imaging sensor and a smaller field of view of 1.6 x 1.6 degrees (96 x 96 arcminutes), with a resolution of 1.6 arcsecond per pixel, an improvement on the Vespera II’s 2.39 arcseconds per pixel, leading to greater clarity in its images. The Vespera Pro also has a dramatically improved battery life of 11 hours, meaning you can spend the long nights of winter happily imaging from dusk til dawn. For these improvements, it will set you back $2490.

Again, the Vaonis smart telescopes are not suitable for solar-system imaging, but lunar, solar and large deep-sky objects are all within its grasp.

All the Vaonis smart telescopes are operated via Vaonis’s Singularity app, which is functional and easy to use.

ZWO smart telescopes

This Chinese company have been operating in astronomical products since 2011, and had already developed a shining reputation for their high-end refractors, CCDs, mounts and their revolutionary wireless astrophotography controller, the ASIAIR, when in 2023 they made their first foray into the smart telescope market with the SeesStar S50, cornering the market for low-budget smart telescopes. They followed up on the S50 (which, as the name suggests, has an aperture of 2-inches/50mm) with the smaller SeeStar S30 (with an aperture of 30mm) and lately the S30 Pro, which boasts ultra high definition in its images.

The S50 boasts a Sony IMX462 sensor and a field of view of 0.73 x 1.29 degrees (44 x 77 arcminutes), making it perfect for imaging the Sun, the Moon and large deep-sky objects such as the Orion Nebula, but again, the solar system’s planets, which are just arcseconds in angular diameter, will only appear as points of light. The S50 has solar and lunar modes to aid with tracking their motion across the sky, and even a scenery mode with a telephoto lens for daytime imaging. The S50 weighs 2.5 kg.

The S30 has a Sony IMX662 imaging sensor. The S30’s smaller aperture and focal length lead to a wider field of view than the S50, of 2.1 x 1.2 degrees (126 x 71 arcminutes), making it even less suited to smaller objects. So the Andromeda Galaxy or the Flame and Horsehead region of Orion fill the field nicely, but the Whirlpool Galaxy or the Owl Nebula, for example, appear tiny. However, at just 1.65 kg, the S30 is easily transportable, even in a rucksack.

The S30 Pro has two imaging sensors, an IMX585 for telephoto viewing and a wide-angle IMX586, and a slightly longer focal length than the regular S30, giving the S30 Pro greater versatility, capturing the night sky in 4K Ultra HD.

SeeStar’s telescopes also have a mosaic mode, allowing very wide views of the Milky Way over a landscape to be captured. The solar and lunar modes are self-explanatory and automatically switch on tracking.

Compared to their competitors, the SeeStar smart telescopes are highly affordable. The S30 retails at $399, the S30 Pro costs $599 and the S50 is just $499. Their price, coupled with being extremely easy to use via the SeeStar app, makes ZWO’s smart telescopes extremely attractive to beginners and more advanced observers alike.

Celestron smart telescopes

The telescope giants might have been a little late to the smart telescope party, but when it finally arrived in 2024, their offering of the Celestron Origin was worth the wait.

Employing Celestron’s characteristic Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) optics, the Origin comes in with a huge 6-inch (152mm) aperture, dwarfing all its smart telescope competitors. It uses a Sony STARVIS IMX178 color CMOS 8.3MP sensor and a built-in Raspberry Pi computer running AI algorithms to process its images. And unlike the dinky little tabletop tripods of the other smart telescopes, the Celestron Origin comes with a NexStar Evolution-style mount and tripod. Celestron calls the Origin an ‘intelligent home observatory’, and it’s easy to see why. It’s certainly a mighty piece of kit, weighing a total of 41.6 lbs (18.87 kg).

The Origin’s field of view is 1.32 x 0.75 degrees (79 x 45 arcminutes), so like all the other smart telescopes, it’s very much optimized for deep-sky, lunar and solar observing. However, its optics are of superior quality to its competitors, but that quality will leave a hole in your wallet, as the Origin costs $3999.

Their most recent release, the Celestron Origin Mark II, has many of the same specs but has been upgraded with a Sony IMX678-AAQR image sensor, allowing for higher resolution images. It also offers less read noise, making for sharper images. Both Origin Smart telescopes are controlled by Celestron’s standard SkySafari app.

DwarfLab smart telescopes

Competing with ZWO for the title of best budget smart telescope is Dwarflab’s Dwarf 3 and Dwarf Mini, with modest price tags of $549 and $399, respectively.

The Dwarf 3 has a unique appearance, and is not only suitable for astronomy, but for landscape photography and bird-watching too, so it is extremely versatile. There’s even a setting for creating billion-pixel panoramas.

The Dwarf 3 is lightweight and designed to be easy to use, and can be taken anywhere, weighing an amazing 1.3 kg and measuring just 14 cm along its long axis. It has six different shooting modes, including video and timelapse. Though its aperture is small, with the telephoto lens at just 35mm (and can reduce to a mere 3.4mm for wide shots), and its focal length is 150mm, it still packs a visual punch thanks to its Sony Starvis 2 IMX678 imaging sensor. The telephoto lens has a field of view of 2.93 x 1.65 degrees (176 x 99 arcminutes), and the wide lens for landscape imaging is a whopping 45 degrees. As with the other smart telescopes, the Dwarf 3 is really only suited for solar, lunar and large deep-sky objects.

The Dwarf Mini is even more pocket-sized. Its appearance is different to the Dwarf 3: instead, it adopts the unfolding arm design of the SeeStar and Vaonis smart telescopes. Yet it weighs just 1.85 lbs (840 g). It has a 30mm aperture lens, drawing comparisons with the SeeStar S30, and has a field of view of 2.45 x 2.14 degrees (147 x 128 arcminutes). Like the Dwarf 3, the Dwarf Mini is easy to use — Dwarflab claim that it can be shooting the stars within three minutes of unboxing it. One downside is its battery lifetime of just four hours and while the Dwarf mini is portable, you wouldn’t want to take it too far from a charging point.

Summary

All smart telescopes have something to offer. If you’re looking for an instrument that has most of the trappings of a regular telescope, such as a mount and a large sturdy tripod, then choose Celestron’s Origin. If you want something that is portable, then the Dwarf Mini is the smart telescope for you. When it comes to price, the Dwarf and SeeStar smart telescopes are the choice for the budget-conscious, while Vaonis’ Vespera range are excellent mid-price options and Unistellar competes with Celestron as a high-end option.

As for a choice of target, no one has yet made a smart telescope designed for the planetary imager — fields of view are still large, designed to take in the wide canvas of the night sky.

But whichever smart telescope you choose, have fun letting it take you far and wide across the universe!

The Sigweis night vision binoculars are currently retailing at $189.99 on Amazon and they have hovered around this price for the last four years. The cheapest we've seen them is $139.99, but only for very short periods at a time — flash-sale-type events.

On paper, these night vision binoculars boast impressive specs, including an infrared light that stretches 980 feet (298 m), a daytime viewing mode and seven brightness levels. Not only that, but it can record 1080p videos and 3MP stills on the supplied MicroSD memory card.

The binoculars arrive in a custom-fit military-grade hard case. Also supplied is a carbon-tipped lens cleaning brush, a 32 GB high-speed MicroSD Card, a shoulder strap and soft carry bag and everything else you need to get going, apart from batteries — more on that later.

But are they worthy of a spot in our best night vision binoculars guide? Read on to find out.

Sigweis night vision binoculars review

Sigweis night vision binoculars: Design

• Large LCD screen
• Robust build
• Good placement of buttons

Compared with models we've tested previously, including the Nightfox Swift, the Sigweis feel solid in the hand and less toyish. However, this does come at the cost of them being noticeably heavier (1.3 kg with batteries inserted) and bulkier, something you will want to consider if you're taking these out on the trails with you.

There are six large buttons on top of the night vision binoculars that are easy to reach with your fingertips when you're holding them to your face. The most-used buttons are on the outer edges, with the power and menu buttons in the middle of the device. Each button gives reassuring audible feedback (as a click) when pressed, and the buttons depress enough that you can easily feel you have pressed it, even with cold hands or thick gloves. The textured casing helps wet fingers to keep a secure grip on the binoculars, which is especially useful, as the Sigweis can be used in inclement weather, thanks to their IP56 waterproof rating.

There is a wrap around the large LCD screen, but we'd have liked this to mould to our face by being more malleable; it lets in a lot of light, especially from the bottom, which makes the screen very reflective. We found ourselves staring back at ourselves in certain daytime lighting conditions, making it difficult to see the image on the screen.

Unlike previous night vision binoculars, where the lenses are within the unit's body, in the Sigweis, they protrude from the front. One is a lens, and the other is an infrared LED light. The lens rotates to focus; left to close objects and right to focus on something further away.

Sigweis night vision binoculars: Performance

• Very clear nighttime viewing
• Fixed optical zoom, 4x digital zoom
• Illumination only comes from the right

The infrared illumination range is 980 feet, which is 750 feet more than the Nightfox Swift, which is only marginally cheaper. The illumination only comes from the right-hand side of the unit, which means that sometimes you get noticeable shadows even if your target is right in front of you. Not important when just observing, but something to be mindful of if you're filming or taking photos.

When the unit is turned on, the default mode is video. By pressing the mode button, you can cycle through to photo mode and media playback mode. You can just observe without recording or taking stills if you want to.

Eight symbols visible on the LCD screen indicate the mode, night vision sensitivity, space on memory card, image resolution, SD warning, battery indicator, zoom level and IR level.

The 3x optical zoom is fixed, but the digital zoom (sensor cropping) extends to 4x. As with digital zooms, image sharpness decreases the more you zoom.

The large focus wheel is smooth to turn, with an obvious start and end point. You could turn it with just one finger but we found it easier to operate like you would a camera lens. Once in focus, the image on the large LCD screen is pleasingly sharp and clear in both daytime and at night.

Sigweis night vision binoculars: Functionality

• Six AA batteries required (doesn't take rechargeable batteries)
• IP56 waterproof rating
• Daytime mode

When the Sigweis night vision binoculars arrived, we were keen to start testing that evening. Having recently tested the Nightfox Whisker, which was handily chargeable via USB-C, we'd hoped for more of the same. Sadly, though, we found that the Sigweis need 6x 1.5V (AA) batteries. Cool, we have some rechargeable ones in the cupboard. Except, wait, on reading the warning note on the back of the binoculars, it said to not use rechargeable batteries. We tried it anyway just in case, but true to the warning, rechargeable batteries did not work, and the binoculars did not boot. Our testing was put on hold until we bought some non-rechargeable AA batteries. This is the worst thing about these binoculars. Non-rechargeable batteries are not only expensive but also have a significantly worse environmental impact than rechargeable alternatives.

Putting our qualms about the non-rechargeable batteries aside, the Sigweis Night Vision binoculars feature a generous IP56 rating. The '5' means the binoculars have limited dust protection, and the '6' means they can withstand protection against strong water jets in all directions. You can use them in all-terrain locations (like sandy deserts or pollen-filled fields) and in inclement weather without worry.

Although you can use these night vision binoculars anywhere, the weight is a significant factor. As a comparison, the recently reviewed Nightfox Whisker weighs 609 g, including the rechargeable battery; the Nightfox Swift weighs a tiny 360 g, including the battery. The Sigweis weigh a hefty 1.3 kg. They are tripod mountable, which helps if you're staying in one place, but if you have a long way to walk to your viewpoint, you'll definitely feel the weight in your rucksack or kit bag.

While these are primarily night vision binoculars, you can use them in the daytime too. The best application for this would be research (e.g., animal surveys), as the image/video quality isn't good enough for inspiring footage or stills. It's a handy feature, though and means they aren't completely redundant once the sun comes up.

The hard shell case is of excellent quality. The other accessories, like the soft case and neck strap, are fine, but nothing to shout about.

Should you buy the Sigweis night vision binoculars?

We want to really like the Sigweis night vision binoculars, but there are two big downsides. The weight, but more importantly, the fact that you need 6x non-rechargeable batteries. Although you can apparently use them for 8-16 hours, depending on IR levels and screen brightness, this still doesn't seem good enough to warrant the extra expense of buying new batteries each time, or the negative environmental impact.

If those things don't concern you, these are a good pair of night vision binoculars at a very affordable price. They do what they are meant to — allow you to see objects, animals and people in the dark and take stills or videos for future reference.

They are very easy to use; we only had a read of the user manual to see what it contained. The English grammar throughout is pretty poor, but that is fairly common when products have been made in a place where English is not spoken as a first language. Still, you can find everything you'd need in terms of operation and troubleshooting. We spent a couple of minutes getting to grips with what each button did and navigating the menu system — that was enough to get going.

If the Sigweis night vision binoculars aren't for you

We recently reviewed the Nightfox Whisker night vision binoculars. We think they are comparable regarding operation and image/video quality, but they are lighter, rechargeable and more compact. The one thing they are missing compared with the Sigweis binoculars is a waterproof rating. This only really matters if you purposely plan to use them around water or in inclement weather often.

For casual observing or monitoring, we recommend the Nightfox Swift, which, thanks to the head mount and maximum viewing distance of around 75 yards, are more akin to goggles than binoculars. The battery is rechargeable via micro-USB, and it weighs a tiny 360 g. The Swift are particularly helpful if you need your hands free while observing, perhaps while feeding animals at a rescue center at night, or developing photos in a dark room.

If you need a pair of night vision binoculars with higher magnification, check out the Luna Optics LN-G3-B50. The magnification ranges from 6x to 36x. This gives the flexibility of wide-area scanning and close-up viewing. There is also built-in image stabilization at 6x to help minimize wobble. At 16MP, the resolution is also better, but they are more expensive.

For alternative ideas, check out our round-up of the best night vision binoculars. We regularly review this guide and update it with the best models we find as they come to market.

The Fujifilm X-H2 is the high-performance, detail-focused member of the X-series of Fujifilm cameras. Released in 2022 along with the speed-focused X-H2S, the model suits the professional photographer or videographer who demands high-end specs within the Fujifilm X ecosystem.

The X-H2 captured a wide range of celestial objects, including the Orion Nebula (M42), constellations and star clusters. It shares the same 40MP sensor and processor that delivered strong astro performance in the X-T50, but in a more robust body. Could it be one of the best cameras for astrophotography?

Retailing around $2300, it's a camera with a price tag for professionals or high-level hobbyists, but it could be worth it if you do long, demanding shoots under the stars or in the studio.

Fujifilm X-H2 Review

Fujifilm X-H2 : Design

★★★★★

• 40MP sensor
• Sturdy body
• Professional functionality

The X-H2 is the Fujifilm workhorse camera designed for professional photography use and packed with plenty of customizable controls. It houses the same 40MP APS-C sensor and X-Processor 5 processing engine that is found in the X-T5 and X-T50, but delivers more professional features.

The mode dial is chunky, offering seven custom modes that a user can assign different shooting profiles to. This is a camera built for a professional photographer who knows how to fully manipulate the camera's settings and knows what they are shooting. There is a lot of functionality here that would be overkill for a beginner or maybe even an intermediate hobbyist, such as a CFexpress slot, 8K video capability and pixel shift multi-shot.

All these premium features come in a hefty 1.46 lb (660 g) body that feels sturdy in the hand during shooting. The 5.8-million-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) sits at the top and offers boost modes depending on your situation, including a low-light priority mode to boost the display in darker settings.

The three-inch touchscreen is standard for professional use and is fully articulating with 1.6-million dot resolution. Alongside plenty of manual dials and a joystick for exposure and menu control, there is extended touchscreen functionality when needed.

A secondary black LCD-screen sits at the top of the camera and displays details for battery life and photo count, as well as exposure and shooting settings when in use.

The Fujifilm X-H2 can easily handle the bigger XF lenses like the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II and XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR, so there is no overbalancing issue, like with smaller Fujifilm models.

Fujifilm X-H2: Performance

★★★★

• Captured astro targets easily
• Strong dynamic range
• No more noise handling than X-T50

For astrophotography testing, I took the X-H2 to a Bortle 4 site in South West England, along with the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II lens, XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR lens and XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR lens.

The X-H2 is a highly versatile camera that can keep up with heavy shoots for different styles of photography, whether that be street, portrait or astro. A sunset shows off the high dynamic range, whilst still retaining enough detail to resolve the crescent moon alongside Venus in the twilight.

Despite this, the X-H2 was highly capable of capturing a range of celestial objects, including Orion’s belt and the Orion Nebula (M42), the Big Dipper asterism, the Pleiades star cluster (M44) and Jupiter. Whilst there wasn’t amazing high ISO noise handling, dark spots in images weren’t as grainy as the noise found in similar images taken with a Sony A7CII.

Because it is a larger camera than the X-T5 and X-T50, I would assume an increase in the image sensor size, too, which would mitigate high-ISO noise problems common in astrophotography. This is not the case because the X-H2 houses the same 40MP X-Trans CMOS 5 APS-C sensor and X-Processor 5 as these smaller X-series cameras. This is not necessarily a bad thing, it just has the same level of higher ISO noise handling as a camera smaller and cheaper than it.

It handled shooting with a heavy wide-angle lens like the XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR lens easily and it managed to capture a wide portion of the night sky even with significant light pollution in a Bortle 6 area.

Fujifilm X-H2: Functionality

★★★★

• Handles bigger XF lenses
• 1,000+ compressed raw buffer
• Strong battery life

The bulk of the X-H2 body helps the camera house all of its premium features. It can handle bigger XF lenses, so you don’t have to worry about your setup feeling underbalanced or not being able to make the most of the best glass.

The X-H2 has seven custom mode slots on the main mode dial as well as ten function buttons for extreme customization depending on your favorite and most used settings and shooting profiles.

This functionality makes it suitable for extended hybrid use by a professional. Paired with a UHS-II SD and CFexpress type B slot, the X-H2 can work as fast as you do and prevent any annoying buffers, with the CFexpress type B handling 1,000-plus compressed RAW images. This is essential if you need to shoot in heavy bursts or capture 8K video footage. It also sports a full-size HDMI port for video output and jacks for mic and headphone use.

I found that it was great for a long astrophotography session, and the NP-W225 battery didn’t fail on us either. You could hook the X-H2 up to an external power bank for added battery life, but at a 540-shot rating, you probably don’t need to do that unless shooting lots of video. During testing, I found that even after a long night of long-exposure shooting, the battery wasn’t fully depleted and never gave up on me midshoot.

The fully articulated screen meant that working from a tripod is easy, and you don’t have to bend to weird angles to see the frame before you start shooting. This is a plus for astrophotography, but there are no astro-specific features besides a boosted view in the electronic viewfinder for low-light and plenty of manual exposure dials.

Fujifilm X-H2: User reviews

The overall online consensus of the X-H2 is good, with users finding the 40MP sensor great for creating high-res images. The deeper grip on the X-H2 was preferred when using larger lenses, too. Paired with 8K video and a robust build, the X-H2 is rated as a premium hybrid camera.

Some downsides were the dependence on lenses to get the most out of the 40MP sensor and some users missed the dedicated ISO and shutter dials found on other Fujifilm models.

How we tested the Fujifilm X-H2

I tested the Fujifilm X-H2 with the following lenses: XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II lens, XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR lens and XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR lens.

I used the camera for street and landscape photography as well as conducting more focused astro use. To shoot astro, I went to a Bortle 4 area and a Bortle 6 area in South West England. The nighttime temperatures reached 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). I photographed a range of night sky objects, including the constellation Orion, the Big Dipper asterism, the Orion Nebula (M42), the Pleaides star cluster (M45), Sirius and Jupiter.

Should I buy the Fujifilm X-H2?

The X-H2 has good astrophotography performance, but it is no better for handling immediate noise than the smaller and cheaper X-T50. Even so, the larger body of the X-H2 means it acts like a bigger heat sink, with better thermal noise reduction during heavy shoots. It lacks a range of astro-specific features that you would expect in a larger camera, such as a bigger sensor and a night-vision mode on screen.

If you do a lot of professional hybrid shooting, then features like a CFexpress type-B slot and 8K video capability would suit you. There is no limits on the range of lenses you can use or the amount of work you can put it through. For this reason, it is a diverse camera for different uses but I would only recommend it to someone who already makes money from photography or videography.

If the Fujifilm X-H2 isn't for you

If you would prefer a full-frame camera that can handle a lot of the same demanding workload, take a look at the Sony A7R V. It has a full-frame 61MP sensor, 8K/24p video capability and 693-point AI autofocus.

If you want the best mirrorless camera for astrophotography, choose the Nikon Z8. Starlight mode with autofocus detection down to -9EV makes the Z8 perfect for sharp star focusing even in the darkest places. It even has a dedicated mode that tinges the screen red to preserve night vision when out shooting.

If you want a Fujifilm but don’t want one as tailored to professional use, the X-T50 is a good intermediate choice for hobbyists. The X-H2 and X-T50 share the same powerful 40MP sensor, but the X-T5 has a few stepped-down features. It still has great video performance at 6K and is way more portable than the X-H2, whilst still delivering strong high-res photography.

As far as beginner telescopes go, the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ — from our extensive tests — is the gold standard in instruments. Fully equipped with a range of accessories of good quality, with the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ, you get much more than what you pay for, especially given the main attraction: an award-winning and patented StarSense sky recognition technology that allows observers to tour the night sky with ease, and with the assistance of their smartphone.

Once you have downloaded the free SkySafari app, navigating to targets is seamless, and quite handily, this refractor is supplied with a phone dock for a hands-free experience. A major highlight of the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ is the quality of the optics, especially given the price point: chromatic aberration, or color-fringing around brighter, high-magnitude objects, wasn’t catastrophic, and I found that I could enjoy some exquisite detailing on a selection of targets, especially within the solar system. Could this be one of the best telescopes?

While this model is increasingly difficult to get in the US, it is still available in the UK and Europe. The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ is still available in the US and is pretty similar in specs, with a larger aperture.

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ telescope review

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ: Design

• Portable design, ideal for traveling, and for all the family
• Some features felt of a flimsy quality
• Largely smooth operation, but lacks fine-tuning

On arrival, the telescope came very well-packaged, and at a weight of approximately 7.4 lbs (3.35 kg), I had high hopes that the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ’s lightweight build would be a winning design not just for beginners, but for the whole family. Admittedly, I was slightly concerned that the whole set-up would topple over during my observations, especially as winds were strong in the open spaces I had selected for my test site.

For the price-point, the overall build of this refractor is fair — some features (such as the star diagonal) are perhaps not of the very best quality being made of plastic. However, for a little less than $269, it’s what I have come to expect of telescopes that pride themselves in being the “entire package” without breaking the bank. Additionally, being considered an “entry-level” telescope, set up took less than 10 minutes without the enclosed manual, and this was discovered by timing a family member who had only ever used a telescope once or twice in their lifetime. The Celestron StarSense LT 70AZ certainly ticks the box in being easy to build.

Once built, I took the opportunity to move the telescope from the kitchen to the garden. Refraining from affixing the dewshield to the objective lens, I peered into the optical system: the glass is fully and multi-coated to a beautiful standard, and I noted the internal structure to be of excellent quality. The telescope’s focal length is 700mm, offering a focal length of f/10 — the Celestron StarSense LT 70AZ is a “slow” telescope, making it best for observing the ‘nearby’ solar system and the moon, as well as brighter deep-sky targets such as double stars.

The Kellner eyepieces are of a fair build, but I recommend investing in some higher quality accessories to get the full benefit of this instrument, keeping in mind to be respectful of the highest useful magnification, which is 165x, and the lowest being 10x. You can find some of our favorite eyepieces in our best eyepieces for telescopes guide.

The altitude-azimuth fork mount is basic and features a slow-motion control for slewing along the altitude axis, along with tightening screws to lock the tube into position. I did notice a slight drooping once I’d aligned the tube to my daytime reference point, no matter how much I tightened the setup. Looking through the eyepiece, my target hadn’t moved too far from the center of the field of view, so I was optimistic that my observations would go unhindered. I appreciated the basic design of the rack and pinion focuser, which made bringing daytime objects into focus a breeze. However, I was conscious of the lack of ability to fine-tune.

Downloading the StarSense app onto my iPhone 15, IOS version 18.4.1 was simple, and I encountered no problems. You’ll need an Android 7.1.2 and higher, or iPhone 6 to install this free software. In addition, my smartphone fitted snuggly in the phone dock with no slipping as I moved the setup and the tube around.

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ: Performance

• Good, small views of the planets
• Optical system can pick up the brighter deep-sky targets
• Alignment through the app offered decent accuracy for a beginner telescope

I decided to go through the alignment process shortly before my observations to see how long it took — I was delighted to see that this two-step process took less than a few minutes, is incredibly accurate and easy to implement. You can read a bit more about how it works by reading Celestron’s dedicated page on the StarSense Explorer Technology.

Powering up the StarSense app, I was pleased to see that the software was recommending one of the targets that I’d added to my wishlist a few nights prior: king of the solar system, Jupiter, which was dazzling in the west at a magnitude of -2.0. Clicking on the planet in the app so that I was given navigational guidance, it was just a simple case of nudging the tube in the direction of the on-screen arrows until Jupiter was in my field of view — at least according to the app (which offers a green signal to let you know you’re on target).

Locking the tube in place by tightening the screws, I peered through the eyepiece to see that, while the gas giant wasn’t slapbang at the center of my field of view, it was only out by a few degrees as I brought my target into focus. The 10mm offered pleasing views of a bright ball of light, with small pinpoints — three of the four largest of Jupiter’s moons, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto — visible with good clarity and contrast. Chromatic aberration was at a minimum, which was pleasing to see given the price point of this refractor, but I needed dark blue and yellow filters to enhance Jupiter’s atmospheric belts and zones.

Mars also made for a good target through the optical system of the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ. Shining at a magnitude of +1.0 in Cancer, and not too far away from a moon in waning gibbous phase at 77% illumination in Leo, the contrast and clarity of the planet was of decent quality — and is sure to delight astronomers, who are just getting started in skywatching. It’s important to note that through the field of view of this refractor, and with the accessories supplied, targets will have a small angular size.

Slewing to the moon, and with the StarSense app continuing to demonstrate its reliability, I have to say that the rugged lunar surface, with its smattering of impact craters and mare, was a highlight during my observations. A moon filter (not supplied) added to the sight, with impressive clarity and only a slight hint of purple fringing around the moon’s limb. Crater Tycho was a standout feature, along with Stevinus, and the lunar seas Mare Vaporum (Sea of Vapours), Mare Crisium (Sea of Crises) and Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility).

But what of the deep-sky objects? The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ provided pleasing views of some of the brightest targets, as recommended by the StarSense app. In Taurus, the Pleiades was glowing in the west at magnitude +1.3 and was a model target given its contrast and clarity in my field of view, as was the Beehive Cluster in Cancer, glowing at a dimmer magnitude of +3.1.

I discovered galaxies were a touch too faint through the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ. However, it was possible to just pick out Messier 81 (+6.9 magnitude) and Messier 82 (+8.4 magnitude) in Ursa Major, as well as several galaxies within the constellation of Leo. Globular clusters Messier 13 and Messier 3 could be seen using the supplied eyepieces, appearing as fuzzy blobs of light.

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ: Functionality

• Easy, free download of the StarSense app
• App does recommend targets that are too faint for the optical system, so be cautious!
• Impressive app accuracy and great target recommendations

What makes the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ so special is the ability to be able to make use of your smartphone for simple, fuss-free tours of the night sky. The StarSense app behaves like your personal astronomer, recommending targets to view from one night to the next. I would, however, err on the side of caution when making your selection, as with this setup and accessories, you’ll be hard-pressed to see some of the night-sky wonders that are recommended. I recommend diversifying your arsenal of filters and eyepieces to truly get the best out of this refractor, again, being respectful of the highest and lowest useful magnifications.

That’s not to say that you should limit yourself, and once you are comfortable with how the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ works, I wholeheartedly agree with following up on the app’s suggestions — something it does very well by offering up a choice of “Tonight’s Best” and a whole slew of some of the more challenging, fainter objects to get stuck into.

It’s worth noting that the StarSense app will take up around 520 MB of your phone’s storage space, so I advise keeping this in mind, as well as downloading it over a WiFi connection to save on your data allowance. The app can, very cleverly, use your smartphone’s camera, gyroscope and accelerometer to accurately pinpoint your location, and recommend a selection of targets in your vicinity in real-time. It was a pleasure to watch the app at work, despite it being broad daylight, as I watched it continually recalibrate for the most accurate, most up-to-date guidance.

With my iPhone securely docked and waiting for the skies to become darker, I took on board some of the StarSense app’s recommendations that would keep me occupied over the course of a few nights. There’s plenty on offer and all within reach of the refractor’s optical system.

Should you buy the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ?

The smallest of the Celestron StarSense Explorer family, the LT 70AZ is undoubtably a great telescope for the beginner, particularly children and casual skywatchers. Being lightweight, the set-up is ideal for observers on the go and seems to be resistant to gusts of wind that are often more prevalent during the cooler months. What’s more, it’s very easy to setup and use, even if you’ve had very limited use of a telescope previously.

The planets are certainly its strength during observations but given its ability to show a variety of targets — from those within the solar system, to the farthest reaches of space — along with the generous selection of accessories, I feel you can't go wrong with the price tag. The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ is certainly a bargain in this regard.

I do feel that you can get more from the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ’s optical system, so recommend accessorizing with eyepieces and filters for the very best views.

If the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ isn't for you

With a larger aperture than 70mm, the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ and Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Newtonian reflectors within the StarSense Explorer line of telescopes are just as simple to use and build, but will open the universe even further to those looking for an instrument that surpasses the limitations of a smaller aperture. There is also the Dobsonian range — Celestron StarSense Explorer 114AZ, Celestron StarSense Explorer 130AZ, Celestron StarSense Explorer 150AZ, Celestron StarSense Explorer 8-inch and Celestron StarSense Explorer 12-inch.

The Nightfox Whisker night vision binoculars, on paper, seem to pack a punch for their size. They have been designed for anyone who wants to explore after dark without the bulk, weight or price tag of pro-grade gear.

They appear to offer clear, detailed viewing from dusk to total darkness. They feature a built-in rechargeable battery (thankfully!), HD recording, a focusable infrared beam and a simple five-button control. A smart blend of practicality and performance — exactly what you need for wildlife watching, animal research and surveys, camping trips, surveying outside or just satisfying your nighttime curiosity of what happens in your back garden after dark.

After reviewing the Nightfox Swift and the Nightfox 100V a couple of years ago, it's now the turn of the Nightfox Whisker, which seems superior on paper. Will they earn more than three and a half stars and make it into our best night vision binoculars guide, though?

Nightfox Whisker night vision binoculars review

Nightfox Whisker night vision binoculars: Design

• Nice build quality
• Multi-use buttons
• Firm zoom and focus wheels

The Nightfox Whisker has a nice weight to it; it feels sturdy but without being heavy. Compared with the Sigweis night vision binoculars that we reviewed in tandem, this is almost half the weight, no doubt mostly due to the lack of six AA batteries, as this unit is rechargeable.

There are five buttons on top of the unit in a line, with two wheels at the front on the left and one on the right.

The buttons control power, IR level, zoom, photo and video capture and mode selection. The IR level and zoom share the same buttons — a quick tap adjusts the IR level, while a long press controls zoom, which does take a little getting used to. We also occasionally found ourselves accidentally long-pressing the power button, turning the device off instead of pressing the adjacent zoom button. A different placement or textured finish on the power button would have helped prevent this. As the unit takes about four seconds to reboot, there’s a real chance you could miss your target if you hit the wrong button mid-action.

The left wheel controls optical zoom and focus, and the right wheel focuses the infrared beam and there is also the zoom adjustment. The wheels are fairly stiff to turn, and we found we needed a finger and thumb to make adjustments, much like how you would manually focus a camera lens. Perhaps these will loosen over time, with more use, but we like that they are unlikely to be accidentally knocked out of position once we have them where we want them. They each turn around 180 degrees with an obvious start and end point.

Once in focus, the image on the large LCD screen is pleasingly sharp and clear. You get plenty of detail, and the IR does a great job of what it is supposed to do: allowing you to see in the dark.

The casing's texture helps prevent slips, though since these night vision binoculars don't have a waterproof rating, it's unlikely you'll be using them in inclement weather. That said, we have taken them out in drizzle after dark and didn't feel they were particularly at risk of damage from a small amount of moisture. We did dry them off carefully afterwards, though.

The wrap around the large LCD screen seems to be well-shaped and doesn't let in much light when held up to the face, which minimizes reflections and glare on the screen.

Like the Sigweis (review to follow), one lens is an actual lens, and the other is an infrared LED light. The lens rotates to focus; anticlockwise to turn it into a focused spot, and clockwise to make it more of a floodlight.

Nightfox Whisker night vision binoculars: Performance

• Clear display with good detail
• Adjustable optical zoom
• Illumination only comes from the right

Once you've charged up the binoculars after unboxing, you're good to go. The 32GB micro-SD comes pre-installed, so you're also ready to take photos and record videos of your finds straight away if you want to.

The 'M' or mode button lets you switch between photo and video shooting, or view and manage your previous media. The navigation is simple and can be figured out without referring to the manual. Ideally, we'd have liked separate buttons for video recording and photos, rather than having to cycle between modes, but it takes hardly any time at all to flick between them. The 'OK' button takes the photo or starts/ends recording when the appropriate mode is selected.

There are a whole heap of other settings at your disposal when you long-press the 'M' button. Here you can change the photo resolution, video size, backlight level, exposure, contrast, video sound (on or off) and more.

When observing, in the top left of the screen, a small blue icon tells you what mode you are in, next to that, in white, the resolution of the photo, or the recording quality of the video as well as the IR level, from zero to seven. In the top-left corner of the screen, you see the current time; in the bottom-left corner, the battery level indicator, which appears accurate.

The IR illumination range is 900 feet, which is 700 feet more than the Nightfox Swift. We could see the detail on an unlit building on the other side of a large playing field, even though it was pitch black. We could even play 'fetch' with our black dog without a flashlight, streetlights, or glow-in-the-dark balls!

Although the image on the screen seemed sharp during live viewing, the images we snapped while out and about turned out fairly low quality when we downloaded them, though good enough to serve as a record of your sightings, even if you won't win Wildlife Photographer of the Year with them. Remember, we're used to seeing images from some of the best cameras on the market, so perhaps our expectations were a little too high for this 16MP unit.

Nightfox Whisker night vision binoculars: Functionality

• Rechargeable (with long battery life)
• Includes a 32GB microSD card
• No waterproof rating

The Nightfox Whisker is a robust digital night vision binocular that blends practical performance with advanced features for wildlife observation, surveying and general low-light outdoor use. A 32GB microSD card is supplied, and transferring the images from the device to your computer is as easy as transferring files on a memory card, just the same as a normal camera.

At its core is an adjustable optical zoom ranging from 1x to 10x, which gives you the option of either a wide 57-degree field of view at low magnification or the ability to zoom in for a closer look. Unexpectedly, the image sharpness becomes softer the more you zoom.

One standout practical feature is the long-life 5000 mAh rechargeable battery. Depending on the IR level usage, the battery lasts about five hours. This is great for extended viewing sessions. With the IR off, you can get around ten hours use out of the Nightfox Whisker (we haven't tested this personally). You can use it to record your daytime findings, too.

The Whisker feels sturdy in hand and is designed to withstand field conditions while remaining ergonomic and, compared with other models like the Sigweis Night Vision Binocular, relatively lightweight. As we mentioned, there isn't a waterproof rating, so although we think they would be fine in fog or drizzle, we wouldn't risk using them outside in anything worse than that.

Should you buy the Nightfox Whisker night vision binoculars?

The Nightfox Whisker is a versatile option for both daytime and nighttime viewing, whether at close range or over long distances.

We think, compared with other models we have reviewed, the Whisker offers excellent value for money thanks to its extra features. The Whisker gives you greater control over zoom and focus and can record what you see as 16MP photos or AVI videos. We think this makes them ideal for field research.

Unlike some models that require up to eight non-rechargeable AA batteries, the Whisker doesn’t need any, saving you ongoing costs.

At the time of writing, these binoculars are available for around $200.

If the Nightfox Whisker night vision binoculars aren't for you

If all you want from your night vision binoculars is to see what's in front of you in the dark, the Nightfox Swift does just that. They are head-mounted and more like night vision goggles for close-range viewing, and they are cheaper, too. The Nightfox 100V is even more affordable and better suited to stealthily watching wildlife in your back garden than for long-distance use.

Another pair of night vision binoculars we have recently tested (review to follow) are the Sigweis Night Vision Binoculars. They can also record photos and videos, but they require single-use batteries and are quite sizable.

For more ideas and alternative models, check out our round-up of the best night vision binoculars. We regularly update this with the best models as we find and review them.

You've taken the leap into purchasing one of the best cameras for astrophotography, which is obviously the first and undoubtedly biggest (and probably the most expensive) step. Sure, you will be able to get some awesome shots of the night sky, but we can assure you that even the best astrophotographers will have a whole heap of accessories that help them get those awe-inspiring shots. If only it were as easy as simply pointing your camera at a clear sky to get a stunning image of the cosmos, everyone would be doing it!

Thankfully, there are plenty of accessories that can help you. Of course, there is no doubt that tremendous skill, a lot of patience and hours spent in the cold are all factors you will have to contend with. But we have created this guide to point you in the right direction and improve your chances of capturing the images you aspire to. Crucially, we want you to spend more time shooting than troubleshooting, and this gear will help you do just that.

A wide aperture lens

Astrophotographers need a lens that gathers a lot of light. Subjects are often, to the naked eye, tiny specks of light surrounded by darkness. A fast or wide-aperture lens, such as an f/1.4 lens, is popular for astrophotography because it gathers far more light than slower, narrower-aperture lenses, which is crucial when shooting the night sky.

A wider aperture means you can use shorter exposure times. When the shutter is open for less time, star images are sharper because the complete exposure occurs before Earth's rotation causes star trailing.

High ISO settings result in image noise; wider aperture lenses (allowing for lower ISO settings) will therefore produce cleaner images. This is especially important if you are capturing faint stars. Here are a couple of fast lenses we have reviewed and recommend.

A good tripod

Tripods are essential for any kind of long-exposure shooting. Even the slightest wobble during capture will show up in your image. Camera shake is far more likely when the shutter is open for seconds rather than snapping open and closed in bright daylight.

In astrophotography, exposure times need to be much longer, even when using a fast, wide-aperture lens such as those we discussed above. A solid tripod is therefore crucial, keeping your camera completely still for the full duration of the exposure and preserving sharp detail in the stars and other celestial objects.

A Star Tracker

Star trackers compensate for Earth's rotation by slowly moving your camera in sync with the sky, keeping your subject stationary during long exposures.

This makes it possible to capture sharper stars and fainter details without trailing, even at slower shutter speeds. While there are not countless models available, there are enough variations to suit different cameras and experience levels, making it well worth exploring our dedicated best star tracker guide to find the right match for you and your setup.

Stargazing apps

Stargazing apps are the modern alternative to traditional star charts. They remove much of the guesswork from your shooting sessions, helping you point your camera exactly where it needs to be. They are also valuable learning tools away from the camera, giving you a clearer understanding of the night sky, from planets and constellations to seasonal patterns and deep-sky objects. Spend a little time exploring one, and you will quickly learn the best times and locations to shoot from, as well as what is realistically within reach of your setup.

• We've got you covered with reviews and rankings of the best telescopes, binoculars, star projectors, cameras, drones, Lego, streaming and more.

Keeping binoculars steady for astronomy or wildlife spotting is one of the biggest barriers to accurate observations. But the best image stabilized binoculars combat this problem by reducing shake without the use of a tripod.

As binocular magnification increases, shake from handholding binoculars becomes worse. This is especially true if you have a strength or mobility condition or have developed tremors in your arms or hands. Miraculously, the same optical stabilization that exists in cameras and camera lenses also now appears in binoculars.

Depending on the model and brand, image stabilized binoculars aren’t as expensive as you might assume, with some being budget-friendly enough to appeal to beginners. Though for those with the budget looking to invest or for veteran astronomers and birdwatchers, there is a range of binoculars and some of the middling to premium models have truly blown us away during testing.

Our expert panel has tested image stabilized binoculars over long periods, testing them for their durability, optical characteristics and usability, including how good their stabilization is in a variety of real-world conditions. It’s not just image-stabilized binoculars we’ve tested either, with a range of non-stabilized binoculars on our best binoculars guide. However, binoculars aren’t the only way to observe the universe! We have also tested the best telescopes and the best cameras for astrophotography too!

The best image stabilized binoculars we recommend in 2026

The best image-stabilized binocular overall

We first tested the Canon 10x42L IS WP binoculars back in November 2022 but we also tested them again in the summer of 2025. We maintained our stance that they are the best image-stabilized binoculars you can buy. Ideal for hand-held astronomy, they offer exceptional features for enthusiasts. A key highlight is Canon's Optical Image Stabilization (IS) technology. This advanced system utilizes gyroscope motion sensors to detect movements of the user's hands and employs a vari-angle prism to correct these deviations by as much as 0.8 degrees. By simply pressing a button, users can effectively eliminate the shake often caused by hand movements, resulting in a steady and clear image. This functionality is especially beneficial during extended viewing sessions, where arm fatigue can be a concern.

We were thoroughly impressed by the Canon WP. They have really clear, high-quality glass, and we found very little chromatic aberration, which is essential whilst stargazing.

While not entirely unique to Canon, the Image Stabilization (IS) system featured here is relatively rare in the binocular world. This limited usage can be attributed in part to its high price tag. However, those fortunate enough to experience this sophisticated electronic system — which combines advanced motion sensors with a distinctive ‘vari-angle prism’ — tend to agree that the investment is well worth it. The enhanced clarity and stability it provides can significantly elevate the binocular experience, making it a coveted feature among enthusiasts and professionals alike.

• Read our full Canon 10x42 L IS WP review.

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