Best telescopes and binoculars for stargazing in 2020
Our editors independently selected these items because we think you will enjoy them and might like them at these prices. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
While you don’t always need special gadgets to watch celestial events light up the sky, telescopes and binoculars allow you to get a better look at space-related phenomena. The summer is filled with meteor showers between July and August, and warm weather provides opportunities to lay out a picnic blanket and watch the stars. Retailers like Walmart, REI and Home Depot sell a selection of telescopes and binoculars, some of which can also help you capture photos of planets and constellations.
According to the American Meteor Society (AMS), there are currently three active meteor showers. Two of the three — Southern delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids — peak between July 28 and 29, which is when you'll have the best chance of seeing them. Perseids, another meteor shower, is active between July 14 and August 24, and the AMS predicts it will peak around August 12. The AMS says meteor showers are most visible after midnight, but visibility also depends on your location and moonlight conditions.
