ASTRONOMY TELESCOPE HELP

My son has started to show an interest in astronomy. We stand outside and look at the stars, moon, and whatever else we can see in the night sky a few times each week. He has asked for a telescope. That is where I need help. I do not know the first thing about a telescope. Can anyone offer any suggestions? I do not want to spend too much as he may get bored with it after a little while. Also, I would like to get him something that is not too complicated to set up and operate so he can do it by himself (he is 12). And of course, it would be great if there is a way to hook the camera up to it. Thank you in advance for your help.

I would post this in the Astronomy and Celestial section. There are plenty of people that will help you out there.

It was not until after I posted this that I figured out there is an Astronomy and Celestial section. I did not want to create a redundant post. I felt sure (and was correct) a moderator would move it. Thank you moderator.

Hello WW. I will often recommend some nice astro binoculars like the Celestron Skymaster 15 x 70($70-$80) but they are a bit large to be hand held by a 12 year old. They come with a bracket that allows you to mount them on a photo tripod for support. If you've never tried binos at night they really are nice, especially since you're using both eyes and seeing a very wide field. Even smaller binos would be a nice choice.

I have the Skymaster 15 x 70s and they are fantastic for night viewing.
http://www.amazon.com …pod-Adapter/dp/B00008Y0VN

If you're looking for more magnification and wow factor, the Orion Starblast line is nice and won't break the bank. The 4.5 inch is a nice table top scope that's very convenient for quick viewing sessions and eas for a youngster to operate. Under $200.
http://www.amazon.com …o-Telescope/dp/B0000XMT3​8

And at 6 inches of aperture a Dobsonian reflector like this would be a nice starter but is a floor model and does require a bit more space to store indoors. Be aware that these scope do require adjustment or alignment of their optics periodically(maybe once or twice a year) which requires a small device(cheshire or Laser collimator) to do so, which is not that expensive but requires learning the process of collimation.:
http://www.spectrum-scientifics.com …e.cgi?preadd=ac​tion&key=1

And this unit is a refractor design so no alignment of the mirrors would be required. Looks like an affordable starter scope:
http://www.telescope.c​om …escopes/~produc​t_id=09859

These are just a few random suggestions at the low end of the price scale but are certainly adequate for a beginner. Be aware that I've never owned the telescopes I mentioned so do some research. I have looked through the Orion 4.5 Starblast telescope and was quite impressed with it for only 4.5 inches of aperture.

Attaching a camera to the scopes I mentioned would not be likely do to their design and lightweight. Imaging would require a bit more robust platform/tripod and maybe something like the Orion 80 short tube refractor but the price of course goes up. What is your comfort range for spending? That would help with additional suggestions.

Thank you for the advice. I think I am leaning towards the Skymaster 15 X 70 binoculars. I had not even considered binoculars; I guess I thought a telescope was the thing to have to look at the stars. I was hoping to spend around $100 or so if possible. Any further advice is appreciated. Again—thank you.

Also, is there a book or web-site that my offer some insight into what we are looking at as well as where we should look?

You're very welcome. The Celestron Skymasters will impress you and they're great for daytime too.

One note to remember. The images you see on line from the Hubble and even amateur telescopes are not what you will see viewing with binos or a telescope. Our eyes are unable to make spectrum images from such faint light present in nebula and galaxies. As a result we see is a greyish green glow or fuzzy area where the object is the brightest. How much is visible depends on the brightness of any given object and the darkness of your skies. Also, give your eyes about 20-30 minutes to dark adapt for optimum viewing. If you can travel a shot distance to darker skies by all means do. It'll be well worth the trip. The wow factor will increase greatly the darker the skies get. Some objects won't be visible in light polluted skies so if your home skies are not all that dark don't be disappointed if you can't locate an object, it may just be neutralized by the city lights. Make a point to check out The Great Orion Nebula (M42) when it's up in the evening sky this winter. It's plenty bright and will look very cool with the binos. It's located in the constellation Orion and can be found projecting on an angle down from Orion's belt(3 stars in a row, evenly spaced) as Orion rises. It's visible naked eye even in moderately light polluted skies.

Have fun and clear skies!

Here's a free download program that will help you plan your viewing time out. I haven't tried these but I've heard Stellarium is nice.
http://www.stellarium.​org/

Here's a link to a list of others:
http://freeware.intras​tar.net/planetarium.ht​m

The Skymaster 15 X 70 and a tripod are on the way. This will be a Christmas gift so I will not be able to let you know how we like them until after Christmas. Thanks for the advice.

Great. I hope your son as well as you enjoy many hours under the stars with them.

For dew prevention consider using some black construction paper to make two dew shields for the binos. Just so the paper is wide enough to project out about 4 or 5 inches from the lenses. And for even better dew control(and no possible obstruction of view) you can use those Hot Hands or Toe Warmer packs you see at Home depot or Lowe's near the check out registers. Get the ones with the adhesive peel off back if you don't want to use rubber bands to hold them in place. You can place two(one on each side, after activating it and it's warm) right at the lens on the outside of the binos(underneath). They will keep your lenses above dew point and nice and dry for hours. Have fun!

Steve

Nighthound wrote in post #6684364
Great.
For dew prevention consider using some black construction paper to make two dew shields for the binos. Just so the paper is wide enough to project out about 4 or 5 inches from the lenses. And for even better dew control(and no possible obstruction of view) you can use those Hot Hands or Toe Warmer packs you see at Home depot or Lowe's near the check out registers. Get the ones with the adhesive peel off back if you don't want to use rubber bands to hold them in place. You can place two(one on each side, after activating it and it's warm) right at the lens on the outside of the binos(underneath). They will keep your lenses above dew point and nice and dry for hours. Have fun!

Steve

+1 for an excellent idea. Love the warmer pack idea. They stay warm for hours. Might even be worth a try on a tele...

I had another idea for personal use. I ride motorcycles and you can get electric heated gloves. Might be good for those in really cold environments. Just a thought.

I use the toe warmer packs(adhesive back) on the secondary mirror of my Newtonian, keeps it dry/frost free for a good six plus hours.

wagonwheel wrote in post #6684112
The Skymaster 15 X 70 and a tripod are on the way. This will be a Christmas gift so I will not be able to let you know how we like them until after Christmas. Thanks for the advice.

Steve did an excellent choice here for the binocs and i guarantee you will not be dissappointed in these SM 15x70s' . I also have a pair i got for christmas a couple yrs back and i have never regreted having them ! I might add tho they are a little on the heavy side after holding them for a short period . I use mine on a tripod and that works wonders . But they are an excellent choice for observing the night sky cause you can see alot of objects for example M31 the Andromeda Galaxie and on very clear nights you can make out the spiral arms also ! M42 the Orion nebulae looks great in them and thats whats coming around the corner in the south now late at night . The Moon ...... , well i'll wait til you see it in the 15x70s' ! Be sure and report back when your son gets to use them the first time . We're always wanting to hear reports on equip and what ppl think of them .

If you want to give him a look through a decent telescope, contact a local astronomy club. They are usually only too happy to give you a look through their scope. That way, you can see what a good setup looks like, talk to the owners about pros and cons, and most importantly, actually see what things really look like through the eyepiece, rather thatn the pretty pictures on the side of the box.

Warning...most "department store" telescopes, usually end up as coathangers or hat racks in the corner of your living room. They are made of lightweight, cheap plastic, rickety and unstable mounts and tripods, and very low quality optics. If you want to destroy any interest in astronomy for your youngsters, go ahead and buy one of those peices of junk. Telescopes are expensive if you want anything good. Spend the big dollars if you are serious, you won't regret it.

try my site in my signature below. I have heaps of info there.

I hope this helps.

Baz.

When he opened the box, the Celestron Skymaster 15 x 70s made a big impression. They are pretty big, and heavy. He could not wait to take them out and look at the night sky. I showed him how to mount them to the tri-pod and we adjusted the focus. Unfortunately, the fog has been rolling in every afternoon and we could not see anything—until last night.

Last night’s moon was not much more than a sliver. However, that did not stop us from going out for a look. WOW! We could see all the craters on that little piece of moon. I have not seen my son this excited in quite a while. We also looked at some of the stars in the sky. Of course the stars themselves appear to be larger brighter lights than what you see with the naked eye so they were not as impressive as the moon. But when we took these binoculars and scanned the night sky, we realized just how many stars are out there. We are missing so much when looking with just the naked eye. I think these binoculars will provide many enjoyable nights for us as we learn more about what we are seeing. We are waiting with anticipation for the full moon to appear.

I did not spend big dollars for the Celestron Skymaster 15 x 70s. However, I am sure I have only intensified my son’s (and my) interest in the stars with these binoculars. If we should become more serious astronomy buffs, then perhaps we will consider spending the big dollars for a higher quality telescope. As for now, I have no regrets with my purchase. I whole heartedly recommend these binoculars to anyone wanting a better view of the moon and stars.

wagonwheel wrote in post #6975764
When he opened the box, the Celestron Skymaster 15 x 70s made a big impression. They are pretty big, and heavy. He could not wait to take them out and look at the night sky. I showed him how to mount them to the tri-pod and we adjusted the focus. Unfortunately, the fog has been rolling in every afternoon and we could not see anything—until last night.

Last night’s moon was not much more than a sliver. However, that did not stop us from going out for a look. WOW! We could see all the craters on that little piece of moon. I have not seen my son this excited in quite a while. We also looked at some of the stars in the sky. Of course the stars themselves appear to be larger brighter lights than what you see with the naked eye so they were not as impressive as the moon. But when we took these binoculars and scanned the night sky, we realized just how many stars are out there. We are missing so much when looking with just the naked eye. I think these binoculars will provide many enjoyable nights for us as we learn more about what we are seeing. We are waiting with anticipation for the full moon to appear.

I did not spend big dollars for the Celestron Skymaster 15 x 70s. However, I am sure I have only intensified my son’s (and my) interest in the stars with these binoculars. If we should become more serious astronomy buffs, then perhaps we will consider spending the big dollars for a higher quality telescope. As for now, I have no regrets with my purchase. I whole heartedly recommend these binoculars to anyone wanting a better view of the moon and stars.

Congratulations on a fine set of Binocs ! I love mine ! There will be lots of time to use these and lots of skies to see , even daytime . You'll be surprised what these binocs will show you when you look for DSOs' (Deep Space Objects) that are binoc visible . Right now the Orion constellation is rising late evening and if you check out the sword section of Orion you will see the Orion Neb M42 . It looks like a little cloud shaped like a bird and bright enough to see in binocs . Also if you can check out Venus the bright planet high in the western sky in the evening . Hard to miss , it's the brightest looking star in the west . Tonight the moon will be close to Venus and will be a nice show . If you want for interest keep a log on your observations with your son and write down what you see and where it was located . That would be a fun prodject for a Father-Son relationship ! It will also help you in learning the night sky and when you saw it . Good luck and report back often with observation reports cause we like to hear of any observations !

WW, I'm thrilled that you and your son are enjoying the new binos. Try to rig your tripod for viewing from the most comfortable position as possible to best enjoy touring the sky. These type mounts are nice and make viewing in just about any position very comfortable, even laying down on a lawn chair. I tried to find one that is available for less money with the mount alone so you could use your own tripod but I couldn't right now. This unit may be available without the tripod, not sure. Just something to think about. I like the quick set up of these things.

http://www.optcorp.com …%20Binocular%20​Mount&st=2

Seeing the wonders of the universe is awesome but sharing this time and these experiences with your son will become precious memories that will last him a lifetime. That's something that doesn't come in a box at any price. Have fun and Clear Skies!

BTW, you're a very cool dad.