2006-10-09 23:47:04 · 14 answers · asked by krisaquarius 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
No she's not too young. It is something that she can have fun with for years to come and not just for awhile. It's a great gift idea that will grow with her.
2006-10-10 02:02:24 · answer #1 · answered by Krissy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think 8 years old is too young for a telescope. BUT I'm not sure they would grasp the fulling purpose behind it. BUT I would start off with a cheap one. This way it isn't a big lose if the kid isn't into it that much.
2006-10-10 06:56:10 · answer #2 · answered by GRUMPY 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If she has shown an interest in the stars, no age is too young! However, I would suggest getting a small telescope for her - nothing too expensive - and use it WITH her! There is nothing like discovering the universe through a child's eyes... You BOTH will learn and cherish the memories!
2006-10-10 06:51:43 · answer #3 · answered by Kuulei 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was given a telescope when I was about ten. Eight years old is old enough to enjoy looking through a telescope once or twice, but having one? They're really sort of large and fragile for someone that age, and getting the most out of them takes a lot of patience and a long attention span. I myself never really took to astronomy, but I did enjoy the telescope intermittently for several years.
I second the idea of a pair of binoculars.
2006-10-10 06:54:18 · answer #4 · answered by Drew 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Binoculars are a far better option for this age group. If he kid uses the binos regularly and actually begins to learn he constellations and positions of individual stars then she can be rewarded with a scope. A scope in the $100-$200 range is usually a piece of crap, but for the same price you can get a nice pair of binos. Binos also have a generous field of view helping the child to gain perspective.
A year or so of bino use will allow you and her to save up for a "decent" beginner scope in the $500-$700 dollar range. Don't be afraid to buy used equipment as long as you can try it out first and it has a return policy. For source of used equip check with a local astronomy club.
Remember too that a scope can be easily damaged by improper cleaning, storage and handling. What a shame to spend hundreds on a scope only to have it ruined. Binos allow the child to show responsibility for the care of an expensive piece of equipment.
2006-10-10 06:54:00 · answer #5 · answered by lampoilman 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
probably not too young. whether she's interested or not is up to her. if you ask me chances are she will be. but im sure the telescope will have a 30 day return policy and that she will find out whether she is interested or not in 30 days ;)
2006-10-10 06:55:24 · answer #6 · answered by cqt3112 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was 6 or 7 when I received mine and spent many hours with it. If the child is interested in science then it is a must. Our young girls are some of the futue leaders of sience and medical research in a very competitive future, globally. Please educate them well.
2006-10-10 07:00:05 · answer #7 · answered by MRR 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont believe she is to young but one thing I would do instead is purchase the constellation system that shows on your ceiling at night or when lights are off. Both of you could lay down and learn. Then wrk your way up to a good scope from there.
2006-10-10 06:58:20 · answer #8 · answered by red 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She will become very intelligent and this is the right age for her to do so. She will try to read more books about that. she may become a scientist also in future.
2006-10-10 06:57:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no way is she too young. my nephew who is only 7 had one for xmas last year and he loves it. its something she wont grow out of for a while. i even had 1 brought for me 2 years ago and im 33. i think they are fascinating and im sure she will learn lots from it
2006-10-10 06:50:56 · answer #10 · answered by xxSHORTYxx 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋