This page explains where the information on TelescopeGuides comes from, so you can judge how much weight to give it.

What we use

  • Maker specifications and manuals. Aperture, focal length, weight, mount type, filter clear aperture and safety limits come from the manufacturer. When the maker sets a rule, such as how long a solar filter can be used with a camera, we quote it.
  • Owner reports. Reviews from buyers and long-running astronomy forums show what goes wrong after the first night: wobbly tripods, stiff focusers, missing parts.
  • Compatibility checks. Eyepiece barrel sizes, filter threads, camera adapters and mount payloads are checked against the maker's listed specs, so a recommended accessory actually fits.
  • Live price and stock checks. When we add or replace a product card, we check that it's in stock and sold by Amazon or the brand itself, and scheduled checks re-test product availability across the site. Prices change, so we don't quote them as fixed.
  • Sky data from the people who calculate it. Meteor shower dates and rates come from the International Meteor Organization and the American Meteor Society. Eclipse paths and times come from NASA and national observatories, such as Spain's IGN. Moon phases come from the US Naval Observatory. Sky calendars link their sources.

What we don't do

  • We don't run lab tests or claim hands-on use we haven't done. If a page describes first-hand use, it should say who used the gear and how; older pages are being reviewed and corrected against this rule.
  • Commission rates don't decide which product we recommend; fit for the reader does.

Safety first

Solar viewing and eclipse pages follow the filter makers' instructions and the American Astronomical Society's guidance closely where it matters. We don't simplify a safety rule to make a page shorter.

Checks before publishing

Our process since October 2026: new pages and larger updates go to a separate reviewer, who checks facts, dates, product fit and safety wording against the cited sources before they go live.

Updates, questions and corrections

A page's "Last updated" date only changes when its content really changes. For questions, corrections or anything else, email info@telescopeguides.com.

Edited by Nico Feraud. About the editor