It's that time of year again. You know how it goes; a friend with a child (aged between eight and twelve, most likely) asks "What's a good telescope to buy, and where would you go shopping for one?".
How would you answer that question?
Buy a decent pair of binoculars.
http://forum.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/index.php?topic=6334.0 (http://forum.orpington-astronomy.org.uk/index.php?topic=6334.0) ;)
Here's one i prepared earlier. :cheesy:
Wow 11 years ago..... :o
Mac.
Quote from: Mac on Nov 22, 2021, 18:33:01Buy a decent pair of binoculars.
That's always my first suggestion, but sometimes the intended recipient already has a pair of binoculars, and now
really wants a telescope...
Look in the Sky at Night magazine... they have reviewed a scope called the Acuter; 80mm Mak Cass. Liked the review, bought one and it`s very good. Very light weight and portable, which is why I wanted one. It is also "right way up" image so suitable for terrestrial viewing as well, plus it`s a good reasonable price. Check out the review ....
Cheers Doug.
I have the same situation this Christmas as my 8 year old grand-daughter is into Astronomy and wants to be a space scientist. She has plastered her bedroom walls with Space posters and some of my images, and I have given her the first Astronomy book I was given when i was 11 years old. It's way out of date in some parts, but the basics are still the same.
She has requested a telescope for Christmas, and I also suggested Binoculars but "No I want a telescope" was the reply.
So have bought her a table top dobsonian. I thought anything else would be not be easy for her to use and be disappointing.
I got her this one:
https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/heritage-100p-tabletop-telescope.html
A 3/8" thread located on the base allows it to be also used on a suitable field tripod.
Carole