Teliscope for 8 year old girl

YODS08 (Jenny) · #1 25-08-2009, 10:00 PM

Can anyone recommend a good 1st telescope for an 8 year old girl who has an interest in astronomy. I would like to encourage her interest and hopefully develop a hobby that can grow with her.

h0ughy (David) · #2 25-08-2009, 10:13 PM

something quick and easy to set up - best bet is to visit an astro club in your area to try out some scopes of the members - then she can make a choice. probably a 80mm refractor - no collimation required. but value for money is a 8" dobsonian telescope. Dont bother looking at a cheap 70mm or less department store refractor, wont cut it.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 25-08-2009, 10:41 PM

Hopefully RB will call in on this thread. He wanted almost exactly the same thing from memory. I don't recall whether he got her an 8" or 6" dob though.

TheDecepticon · #4 25-08-2009, 10:43 PM

Good advice. I'd look at an Orion Star blast, I believe they have a 6 inch version and it sits on a table top. Or maybe a decent 6 inch Dobsonian would be the go, and not too dear.

erick (Eric) · #5 25-08-2009, 10:47 PM

Jenny

I suggest a visit to Bintel - 519 Burke Road, Camberwell - and see what they suggest. They have a number of suitable scopes on display. But don't buy just yet. Best if you can get with some people and some telescopes under the sky and see how they work and what is best. There are a few clubs around which can help. Roughly where are you in Melbourne?

Ask more questions here as well. How much do you think you can spend?

Eric

Rod66 (Rod) · #6 26-08-2009, 04:54 AM

Buy her some binoculars. If she is even above average of 8 year olds, her attention span is probably a little short. Some nice 7x50's should be light enough. Perhaps even a tripod for them. These will make it very easy to scan the sky for her, rather than trying with a telescope in which everything is upside down.

Rod

Nightskystargaz (Thomas) · #7 27-08-2009, 12:58 AM

If you got the Bucks $$$, then maybe a Meade ETX 90 or ETX 125.

Orion has some good starters scopes.

Thanks,

Tom

YODS08 (Jenny) · #8 01-09-2009, 12:01 AM

Thank you all for the valued advice

YODS08 (Jenny) · #9 01-09-2009, 12:05 AM

Eric I believe I know the shop you are talking about; I think I drive passed it on my way to Swinburne Uni.

Would $500 buy a telescope/binoculars you are recommending or should I be prepared to pay more? Where would I find a good astro club near Glen Waverley, Victoria suitable for an 8 year old?

Jenny

erick (Eric) · #10 01-09-2009, 07:59 AM

Jenny, have a look at their website here:-

https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm

There are suitable binoculars for a reasonable price - something like 9x63 (9 magnification, 63mm of aperture). You'll also need a tripod - a good camera tripod (say Velbon) for about $120 will do. You'll also need an adapter to mount the binoculars on a tripod - Bintel can advise. Binoculars can also be used during the day for looking at all sorts of things.

But maybe a telescope would be better. She will see more and with greater detail. I honestly think that a reflector mounted on a dobsonian mount (A "dobsonian" or a "dob") is easiest to use. Bintel sell a Skywatcher 6" Dobsonian - that is, a 6 inch diameter primary mirror (the aperture). This telescope isn't the sort of thing one would use during the day for looking at birds, etc. I know there are cheaper telescopes on tripods and equatorial monts, but you cannot go past getting the biggest aperture you can afford.

Now you can get cheaper prices on binoculars and telescopes, but then you need to be buying from elsewhere - probably on-line with shipping. I thought you might prefer to buy from a shop where you can see what you buy and have people that you can go back to with any queries or worries.

The problem with Glen Waverley is the light pollution. Many of the observing targets talked about on this site need darker skies to see. But the Moon, the planets, many star clusters can all be seen - enough to get excited about. Many people can spend all their time happily observing the Moon as it goes through its phases over the month.

I have no personal experience of astroclubs in the Glen Waverley area - can others advise? This is an intersting hobby. Many do it quite solo, others really like having larger groups around. Depends on your daughter's (?) personality. If you did get a scope or binoculars, I'm sure one of us would be happy to drop by and get her started. I'll be happy to help.