• Telescope stats explained

We’ve reviewed quite a few telescopes over the years that are ideal for planetary observing, although the accompanying price tags indicate these are not beginners’ telescopes, but are instead for those who are series about practical astronomy and want to take it to the next level.

Below is our pick of some of the best scopes that will have you enjoying views of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in no time.

If your interested in imaging the planets, read our guide to the best telescopes for astrophotography.

9 best telescopes for seeing the planets

The SkyMax 180’s long focal length is ideal for planetary and lunar viewing, but the telescope also gives good views of many deep-sky objects. We used it to observe Saturn and found the Cassini Division and several moons on show. The scope comes with a 28mm eyepiece, a star diagonal and Vixen-style mounting bar. At just 7.8kg, it is also relatively lightweight for its size.

Read our full review of the SkyMax 180 Pro here.

This is a straightforward scope to set up, and comes with encoders on the axis allow you to move the mount without losing alignment. You can use the handset to slew to Jupiter, say, then manually move the mount to view Regulus in Leo, then press ‘Jupiter’ again and the mount will slew back to the planet. We got a great view of the gas giant with its Galilean moons. Swapping to a 10mm eyepiece we could see detail in the belts and the Great Red Spot.

Read our full review of the Orion StarSeeker IV here.

The ED127’s air-spaced triplet lens is great for getting subtle details out of the planets and the Moon. The fact that the tube is made from carbon fibre helps to keep the weight down. This is a great, medium-resolution planetary imaging instrument.

Read our full review of the Explore Scientific 127mm here.

This is a good all-round instrument that gives crisp, high-contrast views and is useful for visually observing both deep-sky and Solar System objects. Its air-spaced triplet lens made from extra-low dispersion glass reduces unwanted colour aberrations, and the whole thing comes in a padded case for secure transport.

Read our full review of the Meade 6000 here.

Built from aerospace-grade magnesium and aluminium alloys, with many parts machined from solid block, the Istar exudes quality. Views are bright and full of contrast, helped by excellent multi-coating on the lens surfaces and four knife-edge baffles. We enjoyed a crisp view of Jupiter and its moons, and would recommend the Istar Perseus as an excellent upgrade for lunar and planetary observing.

Read our full review of the Istar 150mm here.

The C9.25’s 9.25-inch (235mm) aperture is generous, gathering a third more light than an 8-inch (200mm) reflector. Its f/10 optics put it in the slow category and it is best suited for Solar System objects. We used the scope to view a tiny Mars, and the Red Planet’s colour, disc and phase were very evident. We could even see one of its polar caps and evidence of surface markings.

Read our full review of the Celestron Advanced VX 9.25 here.

Accurate Go-To and crisp views make this a great starter scope for a serious beginner and, with an optional equatorial wedge, it is also useful for long-exposure astrophotography. It is suitable for use with CCD, DSLR and high frame rate planetary cameras. Despite its rather heavy weight, this is a relatively portable scope that would serve you well for planetary imaging.

Read our full review of the Meade LX 200 here

The CPC Deluxe’s 11 inches of aperture gathers plenty of light from nebulae and galaxies, while its focal length is long enough to get detailed views of bright Solar System objects with a modest set of eyepieces. Our view of Jupiter using the supplied 23mm eyepiece revealed a sharp disc with a clear view of the two main belts, exquisitely intertwined with fine intricate detail.

Read our full review of the Celestron CPC Delux 1100 here.

The CGX-L EQ 1100 EdgeHD represents a serious investment, but this instrument delivers a sharp, flat field across a large area that should be good for both Solar System and deep-sky targets. The Moon and planets appear bright and well presented, the 11-inch aperture having sufficient resolving power to reveal intricate detail.

Read our full review of the Celestron CGX-L EQ 1100 here.