Telescopes

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  • November 28, 2012 at 7:45 pm
    Misty
    Participant

    We are doing Astronomy for Science this year and my one son (8ys) is very interested in the sky.  I thought a telescope would be a great gift.  Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent telescope?  I don’t want to spend more than $45.  Thanks

    November 28, 2012 at 8:58 pm
    Doug Smith
    Keymaster

    Save your money. You can’t get a decent telescope for that kind of price. It would just be a frustrating experience that could sour his interest for good.

    November 28, 2012 at 9:29 pm
    Janell
    Participant

    I agree with Doug. I highly recommend The Night Sky Star Finder and a good set of binoculars. My children ages 9-14 can identify most of the constellations now thanks to that star chart. Also you can see Jupiter’s moons using binoculars.

    We received our star chart when we purchased a discounted DVD course called Our Night Sky from The Great Courses.

    November 28, 2012 at 10:32 pm
    Bookworm
    Participant

    I agree also.  We’ve had “toy” telescopes and never been happy with them.  (Same for microscopes.)  You’ll need to spend in the neighborhood of $200 for one you can really see something with.  You’d be better off otherwise with excellent binoculars.  To answer your question about the Stellarscope–son liked the IDEA of it, but found it difficult to use in practice.  There’s a phone app that he is pretty nuts about on dh’s phone, though!  If you are getting good Android phones I”m sure I can remember the app name (if I ask ds, lol) .  The app + a good set of binoculars and a dark country lane can make for some pretty good stargazing.

    November 28, 2012 at 10:50 pm
    suzukimom
    Participant

    My son also loves Astronomy.   I agree that most inexpensive telescopes are a disappointment and frustrating.  

    We enjoy  “The Stars” and “Finding the Constellations” (very similar, slightly different age range – I forget which is younger) – by H.A. Rey  (yes, the author of Curious George) for learning the constellations.

    We also use the free computer program called Stellarium – my son would spend lots of time on it….  

    November 29, 2012 at 2:47 am
    Misty
    Participant

    Michelle – If you figure out that app let me know.

    Thanks for letting me know about the telescope.  No point in spending money on something that will not work

    November 29, 2012 at 3:52 am
    Janell
    Participant

    My favorite app is Star Walk. I especially like it for locating those “wandering stars” like Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. We did, however, realize that the app was sort of a crutch…It wasn’t until we started using the star finder wheel that we retained the constellations in our memory and could see how predictable and seasonal they are. Polaris, the North Star, has become our constant friend on clear nights.

    Happy star gazing…for His Glory.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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