Do I need a telescope for stargazing?
The best equipment for stargazing remains the least expensive -- a pair of wide-open eyes and a mind craving the expansive beauty of the night sky. There is simply no substitute for drinking in the entire sky with a gaze that stretches from horizon to horizon under the sparkling arch of the Milky Way, as humans have done for eons.
Beyond that, the next best piece of equipment for the star hunter is a good pair of binoculars. They are inexpensive, highly portable, and strike a wonderful balance between magnification and light-gathering power; the wide view provided by a pair of binoculars also counters the inevitable confusion of finding a target in a crowded starfield.
Telescopes inevitably enter the minds of stargazers, and there are many fine models available for the casual observer that balance power, portability, and price. Most of the major telescope manufacturers publish free guides to their products, providing the basic information critical to making a wise purchase. Potential buyers should consider the conditions available at their stargazing site, however; even the best telescopes are wasted on sites with light pollution or other poor seeing effects.
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