Buying a telescope for our daughter?

Question

She´ll be turning 10 soon and is interested in stars etc. I´d like her to be able to see things with some detail (eg. the comet which has recently exploded, Jupiter etc) but don´t want it to be too large or complicated. Also, there are 2 younger brothers ......
Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Both of the first two answers are right on. At age 10, binoculars are probably a better gift, as they are useful for a lot of different things, while a telescope is really only good for astronomy. I'd recommend 7x35 or 8x42 binoculars for a 10-year-old; larger sizes are too heavy and hard to hold steady. Make sure the interocular adjustment is close enough for her eyes, as kids' eyes aren't as widely spaced as adults.

If it is to be a telescope, I'll second the recommendation of the Orion StarBlast. This scope has excellent optics and a solid mount, and gives very satisfying views. I owned one myself for a while:
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=starter_scopes/~pcategory=starter_scopes/~product_id=09814

[Edit] Be sure to get her a good book, too. I highly recommend NightWatch by Terence Dickinson (Firefly). It's written for adults, but extremely clearly, and filled with wonderful illustrations. I would have loved it when I was 10!

Answer 2

I would echo the suggestion of binoculars. A good pair will provide superb views of star clusters, the moons of Jupiter, and so on. They are excellent for general star-gazing and comet searching, especially as they allow both eyes to be used instead of just the one. The image is also the 'right way up', compared to an astronomical telescope, whose image is normally upside down (for optical design reasons). One other advantage of binoculars is that if your daughter loses interest in astronomy, they can be used for other pursuits.

You'd also need a decent tripod -- a good photographic one will do well -- and a clamp to hold the binoculars to the tripod.

To go with the binoculars, I'd also suggest a good star atlas, or a planisphere (which is a simple device which shows the main stars and constellations visible for any date and time combination throughout the year).

Answer 3

proper element to start up isn't a telescope yet an outstanding pair of binoculars. it is actual for adults or little ones yet tremendously little ones because installation and utilising a telescope could require grownup supervision and also you your self could ought to get acquainted with it. a very miraculous pair of binoculars will value you decrease than $2 hundred, you get an greater container of view (wider), having 2 eye products feels extra organic, and there is not any set up you basically grab and go and trust me you'd be shocked how a lot you will locate with a pair of mid sized binoculars. Binoculars are rated utilising 2 numbers it is going to say 7x32 or 8x40 or 10x50 or something like that. the first is magnification. The lesser in words of value 7-10 is high quality yet no larger till you're putting it on a tripod, yet that brings you decrease back to the telescope mission, the 2d huge type is the width in millimetres of the lenses. So a 10x50 could have a 10x magnification, and a pair of 50 millimetre (about 2 inch) lenses they could be truly solid for finding out to purchase began. back do not go larger because enable they could enable you to ensure extra, the bigger you go the heavier they get and tremendously for a small newborn they're only going to be too heavy and too cumbersome. With a pair of 10x50's you will locate the moons of Jupiter, you are able to make out the earrings of Saturn, you'll do interior of reach clusters like the Pleiades. Ypu comprehend with a pair of binoculars you will locate all a thanks to the Andromeda galaxy? it truly is better than 2 million mild years away. So surely i could opt for the binoculars because it truly is for a toddler i imagine the earnings of use/0 set up makes them an outstanding decision.

Answer 4

i am 44 and been into astronomy since i was 7. I agree with cosmo totally. A pair of binoculars are of greater use than the so called ''astronomical telescopes'' sold in department stores which are totally useless for astronomy, unless you go for a refractor of more than 3" aperture or a reflector of at least 6" mirror diameter. However binoculars can be heavy for a child so do not go for high magnification as the image will be shaky, i suggest a pair of 7x50 or 8x40's

Answer 5

I would recommend the Orion Starblast, which can be found at the following website:

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=reflectors/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=09814

It's a decent scope and easy to use - you will have to set up the finder for her, or get some help with that part of it. She will easily be able to see craters on the Moon, moons of Jupiter, rings of Saturn, even some nebulae and star clusters with a little help. Enjoy.

Answer 6

Most inexpensive telescopes sold in department stores or malls for astronomical use are not very good.

I always suggest "astronomical binoculars" for a first telescope. These are easy to use and will show an impressive amount of additional detail for naked-eye objects. Be sure to get a sturdy tripod to hold them.

Answer 7

There are Meades and Cellstions for under $100 that are ok.

A 3-4" reflector or 2.4-3" refractor with alt azumith mount.

If possible get one with 1 1/4" eyepieces instead of the .95 eyepieces