Due to the development of modern astronomy, the technology of telescopes has advanced tremendously. The earliest history of the modern telescope can be traced back to 16th century Netherlands. Modern day telescopes come in different types, sizes and shapes. The prices of different telescopes vary significantly based on the task for which the telescope will be used. Astronomers generally place telescopes into one of two main categories. They are refractive telescopes and reflective telescopes.

As the name suggests, refractive telescopes constitute a lens which gathers the beam of light and converge it on the surface of the mirror. Conversely, reflective telescopes spread out the ray of light on the mirror's surface. However, aside from these two obvious types, some consider a compound telescope a third type.  This type is actually a combination of the qualities of the reflective telescopes and the refractive telescopes. A compund telescope isn't necessarily better just because it has both qualities. In theory, all of the three types have their advantages and drawbacks.

One typically thinks of refractive devices when considering telescopes. These are open-ended from the far end, which than slants towards a closed end on the other side. Most people are very familiar with the appearance of this type, since it's often pictured in text books and similar places.  This kind is always available in local stores. The main advantage of the refractive telescope is that they are very easy to maintain. The tube is enclosed which keeps the glass surface protected from the outside elements such as heat, dust, and winds. The main disadvantage is that it suffers from chromatic aberration which is a defect that allows the light to form a rainbow around an image. This is partly the reason that refractive telescopes are not suitable to view distant objects as the mirror may produce light spectrum around a darker image.

On the other hand, distant plants and galaxies are better seen using reflective telescopes. These are the giant machines that we see in famous astronomical laboratories around the world. This type is now available to be used in homes and smaller labs because of the advantages of it's reflective surface. Usually, a reflective telescope acts a light bucket where it traps the beam of oncoming light. When the beam is trapped, viewers can than adjust the objective mirror at the end to make objects look much bigger than their normal size. The main disadvantage is to maintain the telescope as the mirror and related material is exposed to the outside environment. The majority of users say that they don't really mind this enough to change their minds about which telescope to choose, since taking care of small telescopes isn't a big enough issue to outweigh the benefits.

The third type is commercially available compound telescope that is a good starter telescope for novices and beginners. By merging qualities of the reflector and refractor, the magnification and view are enhanced. Advanced astronomers don't usually use compound telescopes because of this.  In addition to the above types, there are more advanced versions such as radio telescopes, x-ray telescopes, and others.

For a beginner, it is suggested to look for a professional telescope outlet and buy after a getting a professional advice from an expert. Keep an eye on local stores that have telescopes. It is not a good idea to buy your first telescope from a local shop as the telescopes might not be of the highest quality. Due to large scale production of telescopes, inferior quality materials are used which may cause a significant risk of malfunction. A professional outlet always provides warranty and guarantees to fix any problems. The cost of a beginner telescope varies from two hundred to twenty five hundred dollars. Because of this, look for telescopes in the over $400 range.