Starting Astronomy

DON’T BUY YOUR CHILD A PUPPY FOR CHRISTMAS!!!

What has that got to do with astronomy you may well ask.

The same thing applies to buying their first telescope. If your child has an interest in astronomy, don’t buy them a telescope unless you are prepared to pay a relatively large amount of money on it and that the child already has a good knowledge of the night sky and constellations.

Buy a reasonable pair of BINOCULARS instead, after all they’re just two scopes joined together, 10x 50’s are ideal.

Reasons: -

• Easier to use, no set-up time, uncomplicated and one has stereovision.
• Helps child to learn the sky. Many objects look better through bino’s
• Can also be used for daytime hobbies/ sports and if the child’s interest wanes at least they wont go to waste.

Ask for bino’s with BAK 4 Porro Prisms, these are the “old fashioned” shaped ones.

Toyshops don’t sell astronomical telescopes they sell toys! These are not suitable for astronomy even some of the scopes sold in some camera shops wouldn’t be as suitable to the hobby as one may think, even some Astronomy Shops in Ireland charge” astronomical” prices, shop around. Caveat Emptor!

For more detailed information about astronomy equipment post your queries on our message board.