Children using an 8" Dob

[Brad74 (Brad)]

Hello,

After reading through this forum and general searching through countless articles I have decided that an 8" GSO Dob is the way to go for me, the main reason for GSO is the right angle finder scope and more eyepieces.
One of my Sons is really into space and astronomy at the moment, he has read through a few books and we have a pair of 8x21 and 8x42 Binoculars.

I do have a question, has anyone had experience with an 8” Dob and children (2 boys 8 1/2 and 10) in regards to moving these scopes around to view objects or just general searching? I know due to size I will always need to setup (which isn’t an issue) but they do like looking through binoculars by themselves so I want to ensure they will be able to view the skies themselves without me needing to move the scope for them all the time and only having them look through the eye piece.


I would go to a store but the closest store to me is just over 1hr and they only sell Saxon in Solid tube which I am not considering so I don’t feel comfortable going there knowing I am not after one of their scopes.


Brad

[raymo]

The kids will be easily able to move an 8" Dob around the sky. Right angle finders take a bit of getting used to, as the image is oriented differently to a straight through finder. Some people like them, others don't.
Just a thought, I'm pretty sure that GSO Dobs don't have enough back
focus to allow the attachment of a camera. [ Just in case you should decide at some time to take some night sky photos.]
The kids will have a ball with an 8" Dob.
raymo

[Brad74 (Brad)]

Thanks Raymo.

I haven't considered photography and I don't have a DSLR right now, my last upgrade I went for a bridge camera as it covered majority of my needs in a smaller camera and it is more kid friendly, it doesn't do as much but most of the functionality I wasn't using anyway.

We have watched a few Video Astronomy feeds and the kids liked them, that would be a progression step for us I would think (if we get that far). Put something on a screen and kids think its great, I have done a little research on Video Astronomy Cameras but not much.

Not to concerned as from what I understand Video or Photo require different setup that a dob to get good results.




Brad

[AEAJR (Ed)]

They should have no trouble moving the scope. The height of the eyepiece may be an issue. You might need a stool for things near the zenith for the younger child, depending on his height. Eyepiece will be about 4 feet up at zenith.

[thegableguy (Chris)]

I'm a proud owner of that exact GSO 8" Dob you're after and yeah kids that age won't have any problem. When pointed straight up the eyepiece is 120cm above the ground; if both kids are over 130cm tall, no step required.

I'd highly recommend a red dot finder; the little GSO one at around $80 is superb and slots straight in place of the guidescope (I haven't used my guidescope since getting it). If the kids combine the RDF with a free smartphone app like Stellarium or Google Sky Map they'll have many hours of amazing viewing.

[gary]

Originally Posted by Brad74

I know due to size I will always need to setup (which isn’t an issue) but they do like looking through binoculars by themselves so I want to ensure they will be able to view the skies themselves without me needing to move the scope for them all the time and only having them look through the eye piece.

Hi Brad,

Buy in confidence.

As others have noted, children of that age have no problem physically
adjusting the pointing of a Dobsonian scope of that aperture.

Be aware though that due to Earth rotation, at the types of magnifications
telescopes provide, the object will slowly drift out of the field of view if the
telescope is stationary. The Dobsonian design however lends itself to
the observer gently nudging the telescope now and then to keep the
object centered, something that with a little practice becomes
intuitive to the youngest of observers.

The smoothness by which a telescope can be nudged without jerking
it or overshooting the target is one of the attributes of premium large
aperture truss-pole Dobsonians that along with their mirror sizes sets
them apart from their smaller flat-packed cousins.

Its analogous of the precision and smooth driving feel of a premium
sports car compared to that of an economy car.
But at the end of the day both steer and you tend not to know what
you are missing out on until you experience the more expensive of the two.

If the boys enjoy it and do get aperture fever, be warned in time that
you may not only have to fork out on a larger, more expensive telescope
but also on a bigger family car to transport it and the boys around in.

I have seen it happen.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Mt Kuring-Gai NSW

[Brad74 (Brad)]

Thanks for the responses, very helpful.

[Wavytone]

Brad your boys are old enough to quickly grasp how the dob works and what they are doing - I've seen kids as young as 5 figure it out at star parties.

FWIW I'm building a dob for my boy and he's a LOT younger than yours.