Any Star-gazers out there??

hunnybunny12

Hi all,

My nine year old son has put a telescope on his christmas wish list and I have now idea where to start with this!?!

Are there any star gazers out there that know what style, magnifying power etc would be most sutiable??

Would really appriciate any help, including websites or shops to start looking!

ThanksHunnybunny 12

grumpyoldgit_2

I'm not a stargazer (don't drink that much anymore ) but if you are anywhere near Sheffield there is a great shop which sells bulk lots and graded goods and he has some of the best telescopes I've seen in years at ridiculously cheap prices (brand new in boxes).
PM me and I will try and get the shop name or at least give directions (opposite TJ Hughes Dept store if anyone else knows the place)
Cheers
GoG

speedyjoe

A good first place to look is http://www.r-clarke.org.uk/starting_astro.htm

Beware, astronomy can be an expensive, technically challenging and potentially frustrating hobby. It can also be hugely rewarding.

One of the biggest hurdles, many find, is dragging ones butt up from in front of the gogglebox, out from the cozy living room into the freezing outside where you struggle against atmospheric troubles to glimpse a tiny fuzzy image of a heavenly wonder as you gradually lose feeling in all extremities. That said the excitement of that first glimpse of Saturn's rings, detail on Jupiter or the cratered surface of the moon, through your own telescope, can sear itself permanently into your memory.

What the guide says about "high street stores, tv shopping channels or department / chain store beginners scopes" is usually sadly true, they are, on the whole, rubbish. Also even good astronomical telescopes seem to have "astronomical" markups somewhere in the supply chain.

Last year Lidls had telescopes of apparently quite good quality for around £50, sadly it looks like they are not going to have them again, worth keeping an eye out though in case they do. That scope seems to be the same or similar (same brand same spec) as this one http://www.telescopeplanet.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=PON05K000001 At £99 it's still probably a good buy - though see what I mean about markups?

An alternative root into the hobby, often extolled by experts, is to buy a decent pair of binoculars and a good book. Last week Lidls had binoculars of excellent value for money, these would be ideal. Maybe a local store will still have a pair?

For books perhaps "Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars" by
Patrick Moore or "The Binocular Stargazer: A Beginner's Guide to Exploring the Sky" by Leslie C. Peltier might be good, I have never read them so I cannot personally recommend them.

Though more aimed at the begginner telescope user, a book I can recommend is the "Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - And How to Find Them" by Guy Consolmagno & Dan M. Davis. It is excellent.

If your son really is enthusiastic, and your pockets are deep enough, then by all means buy a good scope but please don't throw money away on cheap Argos or supermarket rubbish. If you have any doubts about long term commitment then perhaps the binocular/book approach would be best with a promise of a scope for birthday or next Xmas if he shows continued interest. At least binoculars can also be used for nature-watching.

Having written all this I have just thought back to myself as a 12 year old and the telescope I begged to have but never recieved. It took me 25 years to get that scope. I wonder how my life would have been different if I had got it? So go on buy him the absolutely best telescope you can afford :-)

HTH

solly_2

I was having a browse round Maplin today and had a gander at this. Was impressed with the different optical zooms and didn't know it came with the webcam ETC.

Just another option for you.

Edit:- If you sign up to Maplin online they will email you some discount codes.

speedyjoe

solly wrote:

I was having a browse round Maplin today and had a gander at this. Was impressed with the different optical zooms and didn't know it came with the webcam ETC.

I think from what Hunnybunny 12 said in her post was that her son wanted a telescope to look at the heavens - the Maplin item would in no way be suitable for that, or I suspect, to be honest, much else otherwise.

Katgoddess

Binoculars are good for beginners. I brought one from Lidl's yesterday for £9.99 after someone on my university forum recommended them. The minimum should be 10x25 or 10x50. The lidls one was 10x50. There is a similar one here, but I don't know how good it it, or the company who sells them: http://www.marketworks.com/storefrontprofiles/processfeed.aspx?sfid=73496&i=13907494&mpid=236&dfid=1

The sky at night magazine has a section on what to look at with binoculars every month. Maybe a subscription as a present as well? There is a free cd as well. However you can print the maps off the bbc website each month for free. http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/spaceguide/skyatnight/ Hmm, just read your son is 9, so the magazine might be a bit too advanced, but the cd will be interesting, and the maps.

speedyjoe

Katgoddess wrote:

There is a similar one here, but I don't know how good it it, or the company who sells them: http://www.marketworks.com/storefrontprofiles/processfeed.aspx?sfid=73496&i=13907494&mpid=236&dfid=1

As far as a I know, from previous discussion in related forums, the "ruby" lens coatings have a negative effect on astronomical performance and they only help with glare - not a huge problem at night.

The blue/clear type of multi coating as on those Excellent Lidls Bins - I got a pair too :-) is more suitable apparently. If they have any more tomorrow I'm buying another pair.

dc

Link to two at QVC http://www.qvcuk.com/ukgasp/frameset.asp?nest=%2Fukgasp%2FIsItemNumberRedirect.asp&country=uk&txtDesc=telescope&Submit=GOJust to give you an idea, delivered, not a suggestion to buy.

hunnybunny12

Thank you so much every one - some really good advice and ideas. And some really inspirational stuff too!!!!!!!

I did have little search today (whilst I should have been working!) and found this one:
http://www.nostalgic-images.co.uk/Application/Products/prod1GB.asp?kw=telescope&styp=AND

Could one of you experts have a look and see what you think?

I would welcome your thoughts and comments! :T

Thanks

Hunnybunny

hunnybunny12

I was looking at one of the first two on the page.....

Hunnybunny

alyssa_mae

I don't know much about stargazing either but my six year old loves looking at the moon and the stars and space ships. In Aldi about a month ago they has some telescopes for £30. so I've bought him one for christmas. It looks very professional and I'm sure it will be fine for beginners. It's in a big case and is made of metal. (not cheapy plastic one). If it's rubbish I'll just take it back.