For visual astronomy (looking through the eyepiece at the telescope), aperture is the most important feature of a telescope. Telescopes are light concentrators, so a bigger aperture collects more light and dim objects are brighter. Magnification is not an important consideration for most first-time telescope buyers.
For most newcomers to the hobby, it is recommended to start with at least 1200mm of focal length and at least a 6″ mirror. For every 2″ of aperture you add ~72% more light gathering capability. Magnification really does you no good here in NC due to our typical “atmospheric seeing”. On most nights you’ll never be able to push the scope more than 200x.
Here’s how aperture breaks down in terms of what you can observe:
1) 6″ Aperture – All planets, many of the dwarf planets, Moon, and sun (with an approved filter only), All Messier Objects, All Caldwell objects, many of the bright Herschel objects, many of the double stars from the Double star list.
2) 8″ Aperture – All objects form the 6″ list plus all of the Herschel I and II objects
3) 10″ Aperture – Everything from the 8″ list plus Structure of Nebulae and Galaxies – The 10″ is considered the sweet spot for astronomy.
4) 12″ Aperture – Everything from the 10″ but at 72% brighter. This scope will be fairly heavy but is manageable.
