Good Telescopes for Kids
Buying that First Scope to Get Started in Astronomy
Although the best thing to do for a child who is interested in astronomy is to start them out with a good start chart, a book such as Terrence Dickinson's Nightwatch, and a nice pair of binoculars, parents really want to buy kids a telescope. It's understandable: during the holidays or other special occasions, giving a "big gift" is tradition in many families, and what present could possibly be cooler than a telescope? So if you are set on buying one, then here are some choices of telescopes that are suited to beginners by being quality instruments, easy to use, and not too hard on the pocketbook, just in case your youngster never really picks up the hobby.
Bushnell 3-inch Reflector
This telescope has all you really need to start out observing. It's not too small that you'll be disappointed with views, but not too large that it is heavy or hard to operate. Its current sale price at $69.99 is an absolute steal. Just as important as the telescope itself is the mount. A lot of problems with cheap department-store telescopes is that their mounts are so light-weight and rickety that even a slight breeze can bobble the image. The Bushnell has a sturdy metal mount, along with a metal rack and pinion focuser, allowing for smooth movement as you track your target. The red dot finderscope included in this telescope is the best type of device for zeroing in on your celestial object. This is an all-around great scope for beginners.
Celestron ExploraScope 100
This 100mm (4 inch) telescope is a mere 5 pounds, making it highly portable. The easier the set-up, the more likely kids are to use it. They can just carry the ExploraScope into the backyard and plunk it down on the patio table to get started. It doesn't have a mount, but can be mounted to any camera tripod. It also doesn't have a finderscope, requiring kids to become relatively skilled at locating their targets by star-hopping. If you are not sure if your kid is going to be an astronomer, then this scope can play double duty as a land viewer. With its carrying strap you can hike with it into the woods and observe birds or other wildlife by day thanks to the image corrector (astronomical objects are viewed upside down) and then set up for camping and viewing the stars at night. And the sale price of just under $100 makes it all affordable.
Meade ETX-80 AT TC with Autostar
Many people are looking for a "go to" telescope. These types of telescopes, such as the Autostar, can be used with a very limited knowledge of the night sky. After aligning your telescope with a couple of the brightest stars and inputting your location and the time, the telescope will be able to automatically "go to" whatever object you request on the keypad. With a database of 1,400 objects, you will be able to locate any astronomical target you desire. But of course depending on the seeing conditions where you are (light pollution) and the limited 3-inch size of the telescope, you can't expect to see Pluto or really faint deep-sky wonders. But you will see great detail on the moon, close-ups of the planets, and wisps of light from nebulae and faraway galaxies (things you can also see with any of the other telescopes listed here). But keep in mind that if you buy a telescope that finds objects for you, you will not be learning the sky yourself and you will be paying for the added convenience (just under $300 on sale). Still, if the Go To feature is a must-have on your list, this is a great option.
With a little patience at learning the ropes of observing, you can introduce your children to a new lifelong hobby!
