What Is a Refractor Telescope Used For? Uses and Who Should Buy One

By Owen Palmer

Updated November 2026

A refractor telescope is used for looking at the sky through a lens. Light enters a long tube, passes through a glass objective lens at the front, and is brought to a focus at an eyepiece at the back. Refractors are popular for lunar and planetary viewing, double stars, and bright deep-sky objects, and they need very little maintenance.

Why refractors suit many stargazing goals

Because the light path is sealed inside a tube with no open mirror, refractors resist dust and rarely need collimation, the mirror alignment that reflectors require. That makes them a comfortable first telescope for children and adults who want to set up and observe quickly. Many owners use them for the Moon, where craters and the terminator (the line between light and shadow) look sharp, and for Jupiter’s cloud bands and its four bright moons.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Reflector or Refractor Telescope for Beginner: Which Should You Choose?.

Refractors also excel at high-contrast targets. Double stars such as Albireo in Cygnus split cleanly, and the Pleiades star cluster fills a low-power eyepiece view. Larger deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula show up well, though faint galaxies usually need a bigger aperture than a typical beginner refractor offers.

Factors that decide what a refractor is good for

Aperture (the diameter of the objective lens) matters most. Small refractors around 70 mm are well suited to the Moon, planets and bright clusters, while 100 mm and up gather noticeably more light for fainter targets. Focal length affects magnification and field of view: a longer focal length gives higher power and a narrower view, which suits planets, and a shorter one gives wide, low-power views for star fields. The mount also shapes the experience. An altazimuth mount is simple to point, while an equatorial mount tracks objects more smoothly as Earth rotates.

Keep expectations realistic. Refractors can show some color fringing around bright objects, called chromatic aberration, though better-quality optics reduce it. Light pollution from town lights will also limit faint targets no matter which telescope you use.

What to do before your first session

Start with the Moon. It is bright, easy to find, and shows detail even through a small refractor.
Use your lowest-power eyepiece first, then step up in magnification only when the image stays steady.
Let the telescope cool to outdoor temperature for 20 to 30 minutes so the view is not blurred by air currents inside the tube.
Learn a few bright landmarks, such as the Big Dipper, so you can aim the telescope without a star map.
Observe on nights with steady air and little wind, and check the forecast for clear skies.

What we’d use

For families who want a simple, portable refractor for the Moon and planets, a 70 mm refractor is a sensible starting point. For a bit more light on star clusters and brighter nebulae, a 102 mm refractor offers a noticeable step up. Look for a model that lists its aperture and focal length clearly.

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FAQ

Is a refractor telescope good for beginners?

Yes. Refractors need little setup, rarely need alignment, and deliver sharp views of the Moon and planets, which makes them a friendly first telescope.

Can a refractor see galaxies?

Only the brightest ones, such as the Andromeda Galaxy, and usually from a dark site. Faint galaxies generally need more aperture.

Do refractors need maintenance?

Very little. Keep the lens caps on when not in use, store the telescope somewhere dry, and clean the lens gently only when needed.

Ready to choose one?

About Owen Palmer

Owen Palmer is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our astronomy for kids, teens & families guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.

About the author

Owen Palmer

Owen Palmer writes reviews and buying guides for Youth in Astronomy.