Telescope for kids

[mickoking]

G,day all,

At the moment I have a lonely and unused 250mm GS Dob gathering dust in a spare room so I have decided to donate it to my daughters primary school. But what I want to do is modify it so it is very user friendly for primary school children. The fist thing I am going to do is replace the 8x50 finder with a zero power dot finder (the 8x50 will go on my 120mm refractor). Any other suggestions are welcome :)

Cheers, Mick

[[1ponders]]

Lucky School. :clap: Onya Micko

[ving]

ya cant get any more user friendly than a dob!
lucky school! :)
just make the Az motion smoothish

[Dujon]

That, good sir, is most altruistic of you.

On a more practical level though, what benefit will a primary school gain from a 'scope such as that? I'm not trying to pour cold water on your endeavour because it is indeed most generous . . . but . . .

I suppose what I'm suggesting is that once esconsed in its new environment it might well gather dust (though different dust) just as it has been doing in your own storage place.

Maybe I'm missing something, but who is going to use it, when will it be used and for what purpose? Who will supervise its use? I sure as whatsit wouldn't like a 10" Newtonian sitting somewhere a child could swing it towards the sun.

[ving]

at my daughters school they have a telescope, john. use is supervised by teachers, it is not used during the day at all so no one is likely to go blind. it is used by a small group of interested students after the sun goes down with said teachers supervision... it is also used fairly well.

[mickoking]

I have a strong belief that kids should be shown and taught about the wonders of the universe. I also think more young people should indulge in our fantastic passtime/sport/hobby/interest. it is my experience that if people take the time to show kids 'stuff' they don't so readily gravitate to the play station or idiot box.

[mickoking]

That is a very good point and my wife has already spoken to the schools principal because that was also my concern too. I have previously donated a 200mm Meade starfinder Dob to a school and I found that a lot of parents who had an interest in Astronomy came out of the wood work and helped with organizing viewing nights. I will be involved with any viewing night our primary school involves :thumbsup:

[RAJAH235]

Great idea Mick. Just as long as it is always used "supervised" & after dark. :thumbsup: :D L.

[Johno]

Mick, It's good for you to get involved with the viewing sessions but it's also important that the teacher(s) know a bit about what they're looking at so they can back it up with some discussion in the classroom before and after the viewing session.

John.

[mickoking]

Good point :thumbsup:

[RAJAH235]

Maybe if you had a spare Planisphere??? might help out.. :D L.

[Dujon]

Terrific, Mick, that makes me feel a wee bit better.

Mind you, your comment about parents coming out of the woodwork did surprise me. Maybe there are more closet astronomers out there than I'd thought.

So, sir, I tip my hat to you. There are few enough people in our community who, having enough spondoolies for their own requirements, are prepared to invest some of their surplus in the education of our children.

Thank you.

[mickoking]

Thanx for your advice guys (and girls?) :thumbsup:

[mick pinner]

great gesture Mick.