Ask HN: I'd like to get a telescope for my kids. What do I need to know?
3 comments
Fortunately for you 2009 happens to be the international year of astronomy. Buy your daughter this:
https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/
She'll be able to do a variety of experiments on it, and if it turns out she actually enjoys looking through it, you can then buy her something more pricey.
https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/
She'll be able to do a variety of experiments on it, and if it turns out she actually enjoys looking through it, you can then buy her something more pricey.
one thing I read in an annual astronomy magazine is that you're better off to start with a good pair of binoculars. I think the reason being they are cheaper and easier to control. I can look up the details if you are interested, and if I still have the mag kicking around home.
What I'm trying to find out is how to tell if I'm buying a toy or something good. There seems to be lots of telescopes in places like Dick Smith (Australian electronics retail chain) that are not much more than toys. What should I look for, and how do I tell if it will be any good?
My budget is about AU$200, but if needed I'll spend a bit more to get something that's actually going to be useful. This is an area I know nothing about, so any advice would be great.