Great skies here, need telescope for young person.

B

Bob W

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Dec 31, 2000
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I have a child who is very responsible and careful with electronics and tools, and I'd like to get him a telescope for Christmas. Seems a shame to live here with the spectacular New Mexico skies and not have one.
Price range around $200 or less. Don't need computer connections or computer controls. Wouldn't mind if a camera adapter was available. Target objects are details on the moon, and planets.

Which brands are good in this price range? Which style / design will work best? What features are important?

Thanks!
 
Any comments on these two:

Celestron Astromaster 130eq, Newtonian Reflector telescope. Retails for around $234.00.

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Orion Skyquest XT6, Newtonian reflector / Dobsonian mount. Retails around $299.00.

orion_skyquest_xt6_classic_dobsonian_telescope1.jpg
 
I've decided the Dobsonian telescopes are much too large, and I'll likely push the button on the Astromaster 130 EQ. Base model is $202 at a reliable online store.

Also considering making the item a "family gift" and spending the extra for a computerized "go to" telescope. Around $350 for the Celestron NexStar 130 SLT. Sound fun?

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Any comments or further suggestions?
 
We used to set up my neighbor's telescope on our front lawn. Then the village spent some money on streetlights. :(

I remember watching Jupiter one summer. Once we got it sighted in, all we had to do was tap the telescope over to keep up with it. No computerization in those days! Definitely get all the information you can on the planets, and of course, the moon. There is a lot of detail out there that a small telescope can resolve. Also star clusters like the Pleiades and Orion.

And now, artificial satellites, including the International Space Station.
 
Bob - this is off topic, but something your clan may find interesting. You may know this, but you can go to spotthestation.nasa.gov and find out when the International Space Station is visible from your location. You can easily see it with the naked eye. I receive emails from the site telling me when it is visible. Cool stuff for those who stare at the Heavens.
 
That's not off-topic at all. Thanks!

When we go out of town here and look at the sky, the Milky Way is amazingly brilliant, dozens of satellites are crossing the sky, and it's never more than a minute or two between meteors. Always wondered if we could see the space station, and which one it was.
 
Nice decision - I definitely think going with an equatorial mount is the way to go (like you did) rather than an alt/az or dobsonian type. Makes it easier (once set up) - to keep a target on track, especially if you want to take pictures.

This looks like a nice little scope. Convenient size, which counts for more than you think it will at the time. I'll be curious to hear your impressions.
 
Another handy tool is your smartphone, if you have one. I don't know if it exists or has an equivalent on iPhones, but on Androids you can download Google Sky Map. Just point your phone at something in the sky (or at the ground, but you can't see through the ground) like you're looking through the screen, and it'll show what object you're looking at.

Also pick up a classic starchart, and some red LED flashlights to get around and preserve your night vision.
 
Bob W said:
Always wondered if we could see the space station, and which one it was.
Click to expand...

Its a bright dot of light that moves across the sky like an airliner, and is impossible to miss if you know when and where to look. Its awesome.
 
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