Nestof3 Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Thanks! I know there is a huge spectrum, but I thought I'd get the hive's opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 I think this is a great start https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/ . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanda7 Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Dawn, what is your price range and what are you wanting to observe? If you are serious about it, I would recommend the biggest Dobsonian telescope you can afford (starting around $200, really nice ones starting around $350). Cheaper than that, you may be better off going with binoculars. Your best bet is to go to the closest "star party" to check out the views through different telescopes to see what your best fit would be. Most "cheap" telescopes are such an aggravation to use due to shaky tripods and poor optics that they aren't worth the hassle. I've heard the Galileoscopes were supposed to be decent, but I have no experience with them. If you just want to look at the moon, a cheap telescope (or binoculars) will be fine. If you want to locate anything that you cannot see naked eye, it is probably a waste of money and time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyW Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 We got a 6" Dobsonian reflector telescope from Orion telescopes. They have a good selection of telescopes in many price ranges. Quality products, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shehmeth Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 Chanda7, We'll be doing Astronomy now in 2nd grade and so we'll be looking for a telescope in the next few weeks... In terms of design: Refractor vs Reflector, any suggestions? Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanda7 Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 shehmeth, My first instinct is to say reflector, only because you get more bang for your buck. At your kids' ages, they are probably only going to be able to see "brighter" objects like the moon and planets, just because it is difficult for them to look in the eyepiece the "right" way (plus they will need a step stool). It is usually easier for younger children to use binoculars rather than a telescope because they can use both their eyes, though. The attention span for this kind of thing is usually relatively short. Unless they have an extreme interest in astronomy (or you do), I would probably just stick with a pair of binoculars and try to get out to a local star party to have them check out views through a telescope. At this age, they are going to get more out of "naked eye" astronomy than anything. Check out the free star maps at http://www.skymaps.com, which is updated monthly. Learn the prominent constellations and visible planets and watch them move across the sky, check out meteor showers, study the moon phases, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shehmeth Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Chanda7, Thank you so much - I just found out that the Community College by our house has a small planetarium and they have a few nights when they have public viewing With cooperating weather and also solar viewing once a week- all free of charge, and they have (for a small fee) 45 mins-1 hour shows on different topics (mars, worlds unknown, Nebulas, etc) so we'll take full advantage of that... Thanks for the link and I'll check out the binoculars.. any in particular that you would recommend? My daughter has a great interest in the Stars and Planets... and so do I... Thank you so much... Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 We got a 6" Dobsonian reflector telescope from Orion telescopes. They have a good selection of telescopes in many price ranges. Quality products, too. :iagree: We have the Skyquest 10" one (bought for a teen who is somewhat of a serious astronomer). I've been thinking of getting it a little brother for Christmas. My younger two really can't use it much since it's pretty big (and I can't carry it alone). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 I can suggest you avoid the really cheap ones, I think this one was around $20. I bought one thinking it would be good to look at the moon. We never could get it to work, it became a home decorating item. I just put it in the donate pile. The binoculars were much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanda7 Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 (edited) Kate, the college opportunity sounds ideal! The 10x50s are about the "largest" binoculars you can get without needing to mount them. They still would be a little heavy for the kids, though. The 7x35s are standard "nature" binoculars and would be more manageable. The experts say you get what you pay for when it comes to binoculars. I got a cheap pair of 10x50s at Wal-mart (Simmons), and they have worked out fine. Sure, it isn't high quality, but it gets the job done. I bought them before I got a telescope so I could start learning how to locate deep space objects (the brighter ones appear as blurs). Personally, I think you are better getting a cheaper pair that you aren't afraid for the kids to use than putting down a huge chunk of change for something you don't want them to touch. If you decide you want something nicer, you can find more specific recommendation at http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/binoculars. Usually, the major makers of telescopes (like Orion) are also quality places to look for high-scale binoculars. I have an 8-inch Orion Dobsonian reflector. I opted for it over the 10-inch mostly because of the carrying issue. I wanted it to be as grab-and-go as possible. I'm also relatively short (5'2"), and getting one much bigger would mean I would have to have a stool or special chair to use it. My 8yo can almost "steer" it, but it may be another couple of years before she'd be big enough to do it comfortably. ETA: When using binoculars, it is important to teach kids (or anyone) to look at the object with their eyes and then bring the binoculars up to their eyes without moving their head. It takes a little practice, but they can usually get it after a few tries. Start with the moon as a big target :) Edited July 12, 2010 by chanda7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 I have an 8-inch Orion Dobsonian reflector. I opted for it over the 10-inch mostly because of the carrying issue. I wanted it to be as grab-and-go as possible. I'm also relatively short (5'2"), and getting one much bigger would mean I would have to have a stool or special chair to use it. My 8yo can almost "steer" it, but it may be another couple of years before she'd be big enough to do it comfortably. ETA: When using binoculars, it is important to teach kids (or anyone) to look at the object with their eyes and then bring the binoculars up to their eyes without moving their head. It takes a little practice, but they can usually get it after a few tries. Start with the moon as a big target :) If I'd been buying one for myself or my younger kids the 8" one (or the 6" one) would have been my choice. My teen is taller than me, and has no problem carrying it around. He's nice about sharing, but the thing is so darn big the littlest kids need to stand on a step stool (and not lean on it). I may get the 6 or 8" scope yet. At least they both could use a lot of the same lenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 (edited) We have been very happy with an assortment of binoculars -- regular ones and astronomy ones -- following Chanda7's and Jean in Wisc's advice (btw - THANKS!). Learning the constellations at different seasons is fine with binocs, and some of the bigger nebulas are visible too. Binocs are great if you just have a few minutes after dinner to check out the sky and don't want the time/bother of a telescope, plus they pack easily for hiking/camping. A great book on astronomy equipment is Star Ware, and I'd also recommend books by Terence Dickinson -- Nightwatch is a good intro, and Backyard Astronomer's Guide has more detail. Celestia is an amazing, free, downloadable planetarium type program -- you can check out the night sky by your location and time to the minute. ETA For those in the northeast, a wonderful retail place is High Point Scientific in northwest NJ. They are extremely knowledgeable and will also match prices found elsewhere. http://www.highpointscientific.com/ Edited July 12, 2010 by Alessandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 I hunted around, but hubby brought home this one from Goodwill for 20 bucks. http://www.amazon.com/Meade-70055Lf-Altazimuth-Refractor-Telescope/dp/B000P5UKZA I was ready to groan until I read the reviews, and, yes, it does a fine job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Wisc Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 I don't know if this patched-together link will help you any, but rather than rewriting it more coherently, I'll just link to it and save time. :)Jean http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1511912#poststop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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