Telescope for a child?

Question

We’re getting a telescope for my daughter for Christmas this year. This is something that she has wanted for quite a while and her interest in astronomy has been growing for a long time. We’re not looking to break the bank on this – she is only 9 and a complete amateur.

Could anyone make some suggestions on what to look for in a good quality, but easy to use telescope? She doesn’t need top of the line, but will be using it for celestial viewing. I would prefer general guidelines to specific brands, though if there are any manufacturers that you think should simply be avoided, that would be helpful.

*My daughter is young but very responsible, so we have no concerns about her damaging pricey or delicate items. I’m not assuming this, this really is a fact.

Answer 1

Both Geoff and digquick give very good responses - read both of them carefully and print out if you can for later ideas.



As mentioned, I also highly recommend a decent pair of binoculars for a young astronomer (for *any* astronomer, to be honest)



However, for many reasons, there just is something to owning a ''real'' telescope.

On this - I split the difference between Geoff and dig - - I suggest a 4 1/2 inch (114 mm) Dobsonian (see source).

This is small and light - under 20 lbs assembled - so easily lugged around by even a smallish 9 yr old girl. It will be just about 3 ft tall - so no problem there either.

It is a bit small for gathering enough light to view the dimmer galaxies, but its large enough to make a very good start on most of the Messier objects (star clusters, nebulae & several galaxies).



At 114 mm - it has almost 100% more light gathering capacity than an 80 mm scope, though only 50% of the capacity of a 6 inch scope.



The Dobsonian mounting is *very* easy to learn and use - so your daughter could spend her learning-curve-time on finding the cool-things in the sky - rather than wrestling to get the scope to do what she wants.



It will also stand upright - like a small vacuum cleaner - taking up very little floor space - so it can be kept in her room, ready to go outside at a moment notice. (rather than stuffed into a closet or out in a garage where it is out-of-sight-out-of-mind)



As others will say - avoid the department store ''christmas trash scopes''. They almost always will advertise some ridiculous 'magnification' or 'power'. The only 'power' you (and your daughter) should look into - is the aperture - and in astronomy - bigger is better. If the box brags about ''300 X !!'' or ''450 X power!!'' or such - - walk right on by and snicker a bit.

Answer 2

A cheap scope can turn a kid off from astronomy permanently........



So stay away from the 60mm to 70mm refractors, they are just junk. 4 1/4" (114mm) reflectors are also usually junk.



"quality celestial viewing" in telescopes come from the diameter of the main optics, you simply can not get around the laws of physics, and the minimal size for that is 6" (150mm). Smaller scopes than that can "scrape along" but you are really pushing undersized optics to do allot. That's why the Orion XT6 is recommended, its big enough and the mount is an over engineered dobsonian type (in mounts you want to error on the over engineered side)



If you want a "compromise scope" you can look at the Orion SkyScanner 100mm TableTop Reflector Telescope---> http://www.telescope.com/Orion-SkyScanner-100mm-TableTop-Reflector-Telescope/p/102007.uts?keyword=100mm ... its small and short focal length, so a little hard to get high magnification. It all depends where her "interest in astronomy" lies, this scope would give some decent views and save you $200 if she drops the interest, but it may annoy her if her interest is more than you describe.

Answer 3

I've tested quite a few beginner's telescopes, and my usual recommendations for a child is a small binocular instead of a telescope, as these are easier to handle, more rugged, and more versatile, Orion used to sell a great kit witha 7x35 binocular, a couple of books, and nice accessories like a red flashlight and a planisphere, but they no longer list it. These might do instead:

http://www.telescope.com/Binoculars/Compact-Binoculars/Celestron-Nature-8x30-Porro-Prism-Binoculars/pc/-1/c/5/sc/66/p/99622.uts



If it _must_ be a telescope, I'd recommend the Orion GoScope, an 80mm refractor on a mini-Dobsonian mount:

http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Beginner-Telescopes/Orion-GoScope-80mm-TableTop-Refractor-Telescope/pc/-1/c/1/sc/21/p/102008.uts



For a book, I'd recommend NightWatch by Terence Dickinson (Firefly). This is written for adults, but is so clearly written and beautifully illustrated than a 9-year-old should have no trouble with it. I wish I'd had such a book when I was 9!

Answer 4

Well, ..., I would suggest an Orion XT6 dobsonian scope ($299) for your daughter. It's a great beginner scope for kids and is easy to setup and use (setup is under 60sec (no kidding) and you're ready to observe). The XT6 is a very durable scope and, when taken care of, will last for years. We have kids in our astronomy club that in the 6 to 15 yo range using both 6" and 8" dobsonians. It really is easy enough for a child to operate but will yield excellent views of the night sky. The Orion XT6 is not just limited to planets and the moon it can easily view Galaxies, Open Clusters, Globular Clusters, Bright Nebula, Supernova remnants and much more (all of the Messier objects and many of the bright Herschel Objects). Read the article below.



--- Buying a first Telescope ---

When considering a first scope I suggest that you watch the following video on Astonomy: http://video.nbc17.com/v/41781944/raleigh-astronomy-club.htm?q=astronomy



You should, also, read the following article. It will give you some information on how telescopes work, as well as, additional buying tips: http://www.raleighastro.org/observing/general-articles/102-purchasing-a-telescope



For more advice I would suggest that you contact your local astronomy club. You don't have to own a telescope to join! Joining your local astronomy club is the best way to nurture your passion for astronomy. Plus, you'll find that they'll be able to provide you lots of great advice and support for acquiring and operating a telescope.



Now the best pricing for a decent first scope that I can suggest is a Dobsonian scope with a 6" or 8" mirror from Orion (e.g. Orion XT6 - $299 or XT8 - $349).



The two dobsonians I suggested are great visual beginner scopes and are super for just taking out to the backyard for casual observing but will definitely hold their own at any amateur astronomy gathering. They are also easy for young people to use and operate. You can do short exposure astrophotography with them but not long exposure astrophotography (for that you need a lot more money - See "Astrophotograpphy for Web Cams - Robert Reeves").



The Dobsonian scope will be much more durable, of higher quality, and you'll be able to see all of the Messier deep sky objects (DSO's) plus many of the brighter NCG DSO's, many many stars plus: Mercury, Venus, Earth's Moon, Mars, Jupiter and it's moons, Saturn, its rings and moons, Uranus, Neptune and the dwarf planet Pluto, as well as, many of the minor planets, comets, and asteroids. Additionally, it's easy to transport, setup, and use (under 60 seconds from car to ground ... no kidding).



Bottom Line: any scope with less than a 6" mirror with a 1200mm focal length, IMHO, would be a waste of money. See the links below for low priced dobsonian scopes with 6" and 8" mirrors. However, the larger the aperture (size of primary objective ... like an 6", 8", 10", 12" mirror or larger) the better. Also, there are many brands of dobsonian scopes made by many different companies that you can choose from. I only offered these as examples because they are popular with our club members.



Look at the links to the www.telescope.com site that I've provided below and you'll find that they do have quite a selection of standard, push-to, goto dobsonian scopes that could fit your needs.

Answer 5

Ahh.. she reminds me of when I was 9 years old. I can wholeheartedly recommend the Celestron Astromaster 70mm alt/az refractor: http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21061-AstroMaster-Refractor-Telescope/dp/B000MLHMAS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352140984&sr=8-1&keywords=celestron+astromaster+70az This is a deal & a steal ! Only $102 bucks & free shipping. Get it now because this price varies upward ! I paid about $ 60.00 more ! But - that was still a good buy.



I currently own 11 telescopes. It can be addicting ! And the Celestron Astromaster telescopes are excellent. Read the reviews at the 70mm - which is on a great sale ! I think there are 100 reviews there. Look at the rating. I have telescopes up to a 305mm SCT. And this 70mm Astromaster gets plenty of use. It is a quick grab and go - it is rugged ! And light weight. Your daughter will cherish this telescope for a lifetime. Even if she loses interest in astronomy - this scope is just perfect for viewing distant scenery around our own planet ! I love this one, I would have just died to have this scope when I was 9 !



This scope - you'll never have to worry about the mirror getting out of alignment. Reflectors are good telescopes, but they have shortcomings that refractors don't. Your daughter can take it out by herself ! It is light weight enough. The mounting and tripod are worth the price alone - it is super strong. She will really love observing the Moon ! And it is quite powerful. I observed Mars this last opposition, which wasn't a great opposition.. but still, I could see the polar ice-cap ! And some of the dark terrain areas like Syrtis Major. Saturn is totally cool in this scope, sharp, clear and bright, the rings will astound Mom too !



The eyepieces included are pretty good too. But you can add to them later. There are many relatively inexpensive - but quality eyepieces at many places.



You can always check this telescope out at: http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php Your daughter will enjoy this forum, great people - will be very helpful to you.



Enjoy !



PS: If you wanted to spend a bit more, for just $199 bucks, this: http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21064-AstroMaster-Refractor-Telescope/dp/B000MLHMBM/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1352145226&sr=1-2&keywords=celestron+astromaster+90az



That 90mm scope is nearly the size of the very much more pricey 100mm refractors that are so popular with amateur astronomers. But the price - so much less. This is another of my scopes. It is more complex because it is an equatorial mount. They do sell the easier to use alt/az there, for a little less cost. But the optics are superb. Either of those refractors - perfect. I would put the 70mm up against those 4-1/4" reflectors. The 90mm - I'd choose over a 6" dob. They are that good.

Answer 6

I believe your answer is an Edmund Scientific Astroscan scope. It is essentially an extremely user friendly mini-Dobsonian. Check out the following link: http://www.scientificsonline.com/astroscan-plus-telescope.html. This scope is great for seeing nebulae and galaxies and similar objects on a small scale. After she becomes proficient with this, a larger Dobsonian would be a great next step. The link again: scientificsonline.com/

astroscan-plus-telescope.html