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A 150mm telescope has the potential to give you a window into the universe, allowing you to observe distant galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and more. It can also provide stunning views of our solar system’s planets, moons, and asteroids.
The aperture size of a telescope’s objective lens determines its maximum resolving power. A 150mm telescope has a decent aperture size and can reveal many breathtaking sights in the night sky.
It can show significant detail in the deep sky and planetary objects. However, it may not be enough to observe the smallest details, such as surface features on planets or the faintest stars and galaxies.
In this article, we’ll explore the amazing sights a 150mm telescope can show you and provide the functionality and optics available in a quality 150mm telescope. We’ll also list the top three 150mm telescopes on the market.
Read on to find out more!
3 Objects that can be observed with a 150mm telescope
With its fast focal ratio and quality optics, a 150mm telescope can provide excellent views of faint deep-sky objects. You can use it to observe galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, and more. The following are some of the objects you can observe with a 150mm telescope:
1. Deep sky objects
Deep sky objects are distant astronomical objects located in dark skies. Those you can observe with a 150mm telescope include:
Galaxies
You can observe galaxies such as the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy, Andromeda Galaxy, Triangulum Galaxy, and Whirlpool Galaxy. Some of these galaxies are relatively faint, so you’ll need dark skies to see them.
Some galaxy details you can observe using a 150mm telescope include dark dust lanes, stellar arms, and star-forming regions. You can also have a glimpse of a few spiral arms.
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Star clusters
Star clusters such as the Pleiades, Beehive Cluster, and Omega Centauri are visible with a 150mm telescope. The Pleiades is one of the brightest star clusters, and you can observe its blue stars with your 150mm telescope.
The Beehive Cluster is known for its bright stellar cores, while Omega Centauri is the largest globular cluster in our Milky Way Galaxy. A 150mm telescope can help you make out the individual stars in these star clusters and appreciate their beauty.
Nebulae
Nebulae such as the Trifid Nebula, Lagoon Nebula, and Orion Nebula are excellent targets for a 150mm telescope. You can easily make out dark clouds, glowing dust lanes, and bright stellar clusters.
The Orion Nebula is the most famous of these nebulae. Its dark clouds, bright stars, and swirling dust lanes make it a beautiful sight. You can also see planetary nebulae such as the Ring Nebula and Dumbbell Nebula with your 150mm telescope.
2. Planets
Planets are bright celestial bodies located close to Earth. Those you can observe with a 150mm telescope include:
Jupiter
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It has dark cloud bands and the Great Red Spot. A 150mm telescope can make out the small oval storms on the planet’s surface and the four brightest moons of Jupiter, known as the Galilean Moons.
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Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun and has a prominent ring system. It appears as a small white disk with a dark band at its equator. A 150mm telescope can make out the dark Cassini Division in Saturn’s ring system, its moons, and the rings’ shadows on its surface.
Mars
A 150mm telescope can reveal a wealth of details on the surface of Mars. Its red-orange color is visible, and you can make out dark features such as the Syrtis Major and dark polar caps.
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Venus
Venus appears as a bright yellow disk when viewed through a 150mm telescope. You can make out dark and light regions on its surface, which are caused by different levels of cloud reflectivity.
3. Moon and its features
You can observe features such as seas, craters, mountains, and valleys on the Moon with your 150mm telescope. Its dark volcanic plains appear gray in color, and you can make out dark patches of volcanic material on the lunar surface.
You can also observe bright regions such as the craters Tycho and Copernicus and dark rays around them. A 150mm telescope will also allow you to study the terminator line and observe sunrise and sunset over the moon’s surface.
Is a 150mm telescope good?
A 150mm telescope is an excellent instrument for intermediate observers who want to take their astronomy to the next level. It offers a good balance between aperture and portability, making it a great choice for those who want to observe from dark sky sites.
The size of a telescope’s aperture determines its maximum resolving power. A 150mm telescope has a decent aperture size and can reveal many breathtaking sights in the night sky.
The light-gathering power of a 150mm telescope is 33% more than a 130mm telescope and 73% more than a 114mm telescope. This makes it an excellent choice for deep sky and planetary observations.
Read also: What Can I See with a 130mm Telescope? (Answered!)
Functionality and optics in 150mm telescopes
A 150mm telescope offers a good combination of aperture and portability, making it an ideal choice for intermediate observers.
The 150mm aperture provides good light-gathering power, allowing you to observe distant galaxies and star clusters in considerable detail.
The following are some of the features that you should find in a quality 150mm telescope:
Aperture size
With its impressive 150mm aperture, this telescope has remarkable observing capabilities. Its size enables you to easily delve into the details of faint galaxies and star clusters.
The aperture provides an ample amount of light-gathering power. This makes this telescope an excellent selection for those interested in exploring the depths of the sky and observing the intricacies of planetary bodies.
You can expect to resolve detail as small as 1.2 arc seconds with a 150mm telescope, which is quite impressive! This is enough to easily observe the moons of Jupiter and Saturn and resolve some details on Mars.
Focal length
The focal length of a 150mm telescope can range between 600 and 1800 mm. This allows you to use different eyepieces and finders to customize the telescope for your specific needs.
The Skyoptikst Reflector Newtionan Astronomical Telescope is a good example of a 150mm telescope with a 1400mm focal length. It is powerful enough to observe advanced deep-sky objects, including galaxies and planetary nebulae.
Lens coatings
Lens coating is the layers of anti-reflective material applied to the telescope’s objective lens. A quality 150mm telescope should have multi-layer anti-reflective coatings, which increase light transmission and reduce reflections.
Lens coatings enhance your telescope’s performance by improving contrast and color fidelity. They protect the lens from dust, moisture, and other damaging elements.
Our recommended 150mm telescope with multi-layer coatings is the Celestron Omni XLT 150 Newtonian Reflector Telescope. It has fully coated optics for enhanced light transmission, allowing you to observe deep sky objects in considerable detail.
Focuser design
Focuser design is the mechanism used to adjust the telescope’s focus. Most 150mm telescopes use rack-and-pinion focusers, which provide a smooth and precise focusing experience.
However, other types of focusers are also available, such as Crayford and helical focusers. These provide more control over the focuser’s motion and are preferred by astrophotographers.
Eyepiece options
An eyepiece is a small lens inserted into the telescope’s focuser, magnifying the image. It is the small lens that you look through. Most 150mm telescopes come with a selection of eyepieces, allowing you to customize the telescope’s magnification.
A quality 150mm telescope should have a selection of eyepieces that range from wide-angle to high-power. Wide-angle eyepieces provide a wider field of view, while high-power eyepieces provide greater magnification.
Barlow lenses
A Barlow lens is an additional lens you can insert between the telescope’s focuser and eyepieces. It increases the magnification of your eyepieces, enabling you to observe deep sky objects in more detail.
Introducing a Barlow lens is a great way to increase the focal length of your 150mm telescope. The most popular Barlow lenses are the 2x, 3x, and 5x.
The 2x Barlow lens is the most versatile, while the 3x and 5x are better for deep-sky objects.
Our recommended Barlow lens for 150mm telescopes is the Celestron Omni 2X Barlow Lens. It is a multi-coated lens that can fit 1.25-inch eyepieces. It offers excellent optical performance and is perfect for deep-sky observation.
Collimation
Collimation is the process of ensuring that all optical components are aligned correctly. Misalignment of the optics causes optical aberrations and image distortions, resulting in poor image quality.
Most 150mm telescopes come with a collimation cap, a tool to collimate the telescope’s optics. It is a small plastic cap with a hole in the center, which you use to adjust the alignment of the primary mirror.
You can also buy a telescope collimation eyepiece to help you achieve better collimation accuracy. It has a laser spot in the center and a series of concentric circles that provide fine-tuning accuracy.
Our top collimation eyepiece is the Astromania Alignment 1.25″ Next Generation Laser Collimator for Newtonian Telescopes, which is compatible with all 1.25-inch focuses.
Mount options
How you mount your telescope will determine how easy it is to use and transport. The most popular mount for 150mm telescopes is the equatorial mount. It is designed to move on the same axis as Earth’s rotation, making it ideal for tracking celestial objects.
An equatorial mount consists of the right ascension and declination axes. The right ascension axis moves in a circular motion, while the declination axis moves up and down.
It enables you to track celestial objects as they move across dark skies. You can choose from a manual or motorized equatorial head. Motorized heads are recommended for astrophotography since they provide better tracking accuracy.
Our top pick is the Celestron CG-4 German Equatorial Mount and Tripod. It is a high-quality mount with a heavy-duty tripod. You can use its slow-motion controls to adjust the equatorial head and effectively track astronomical objects.
Best 150mm telescopes
Here are some of the best 150mm telescopes you can use to explore the wonders of the night sky
Skyoptikst 1400x 150 mm Reflector Newtionan Astronomical Telescope – Best for deep sky objects
The Skyoptikst 1400x 150mm telescope is a powerful reflector telescope ideal for deep sky objects. It has a large 150mm aperture and 1400mm focal length, making it a great choice for viewing faint galaxies and nebulae.
The telescope comes with a German equatorial mount that accurately tracks celestial objects. The 1.25-inch eyepieces (Plossl 25mm and Plossl 6.5mm) allow you to observe objects in high detail. Its glass optics are fully coated and provide bright, clear images.
Celestron Nexstar 6SE – Best for Planets
The Celestron Nexstar 6SE is one of the most advanced computerized goto telescopes available. It has a 150mm aperture and 1500mm focal length, making it ideal for planetary observation.
The telescope comes with advanced features such as the SkyAlign alignment system. The advanced computerized goto mount allows you to locate and track celestial objects easily.
It’s portable since it breaks down into several components and is easy to set up. The telescope allows Wi-Fi connectivity and comes with advanced software for advanced observation.
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Sky-Watcher Skymax 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain – Best for moon observing
The Skywatcher Skymax 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope is a powerful telescope ideal for lunar observation. It has fully multi-coated optics and an 1800mm focal length, making it a great choice for advanced lunar observing.
It has a 28 mm eyepiece, which allows you to observe the Moon in high detail. You can also make out brighter features like maria and craters on its surface.
This telescope has a fully baffled optical tube and a sturdy mounting system. The tube prevents glare and reflections from the viewing area. The mounting system is very stable and allows smooth tracking of celestial objects.
Takeaway: Explore planets, moon, and deep sky objects with a 150mm telescope
A 150mm telescope is a great tool for observing planets, the moon and its features, and deep-sky objects.
With a powerful telescope such as the Skyoptikst 1400x 150mm Reflector/Newtonian Astronomical Telescope, Celestron Nexstar 6SE, or Sky-Watcher Skymax 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain, you can observe and explore the night sky with ease.
It’s time to start your journey in astronomy and enjoy a breathtaking night sky view. Pick up one of these amazing 150mm telescopes today and let the astronomy adventure begin.
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