How to Find A Telescope for Your Child



Getting your child his or her very own telescope can be the first step in creating an undying interest in space. The world knows we need more scientists and astronauts, and stargazing might be the hobby your child desperately needs to tear their eyes away from gadgets all day.



3 Types of Telescopes



The most common types of telescopes are refractors, reflectors, and compounds. All three are made to view faraway astronomical bodies and objects, but they each have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages.



Refractor Telescopes



Refractor telescopes use two convex lenses – an objective lens and an eyepiece lens – to focus light. This is the type that people think of when they hear the word “telescope.”



Pros:



Easy to use



Can see objects in space and on Earth



No maintenance needed



Cons:



Not the best for viewing faint objects

Might be too bulky for a child to operate

Reflector Telescopes



Reflecting telescopes are absent of lenses. Instead, they have two concave mirrors that bend light by reflecting it before it passes through the eyepiece.



Pros:



Great for faint objects

High-quality imagery

Compact and lightweight

Cons:



Open tube attracts dust

Frequent maintenance required

Compound Telescopes



A compound telescope combines the best of the lens and mirror worlds. Light travels into the telescope through a refractor lens. The image then bounces off of two mirrors, hitting the concaved side of the lens before making its way through the eyepiece.

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Pros:



Great for faint objects

Used to view both Earthly and astronomical objects

Excellent for astrophotography

Cons:



Expensive

Bulky

Reduced brightness

Kids' Telescopes - Explained in Under 2 Minutes



Before choosing a telescope for your child, there are four basic elements that you need to consider. These are aperture, focal length, magnification, and computer control.



Aperture



Aperture refers to the diameter of the lens or mirror. This determines your field of view when looking through the eyepiece. A larger aperture is preferred since it receives more light, making distant objects more visible.



Focal Length



Focal length is the total distance between the objective lens or mirror to the telescope’s image sensor. This isn’t the biggest of deals when shopping for a telescope, but generally speaking, a larger focal length is better.



Magnification



Basically, magnification is how close-up you can view distant objects. This is determined by the focal lengths of both the objective lens and the eyepiece lens. Many telescopes allow you to swap out lenses to increase or decrease magnification.



Computer Control



This is one of the handiest features to have in a telescope. This gives full-control to the user via a connected computer. With your PC, you can instruct the telescope to turn towards any calculated direction to get the best pictures of objects in space.



How to Become an Expert Stargazer



If you’re a first-time telescope user, then you’re probably wondering how on Earth do you use a telescope? You can find a step-by-step guide in the instruction manual, but here are several things you may not find in the provided paperwork.

Get Acquainted in the Daytime



It’s a lot harder to know where all the buttons, switches, and knobs are when you’re working in the middle of the night. Upon receiving your telescope, take a few hours to set it up and learn the ins and outs of the telescope.



Never Look Into the Sun



Staring directly into the sun with your naked eyes can be painful, so imagine using a telescope which will focus the sun’s light to a tiny spot on your eyeball. It’s not a pretty thought at all. Keep the lens pointed away from the sun and other bright objects at all times.



Keep the Telescope on a Sturdy Surface

A wobbly desk is not the ideal surface to place your telescope. Not only can it ruin all the hard work of pointing the lens at a particular coordinate, but it can also lead to some pretty costly damage. You might want to consider getting a tripod.



Too Much Magnification Will Blur the Image

A wobbly desk is not the ideal surface to place your telescope. Not only can it ruin all the hard work of pointing the lens at a particular coordinate, but it can also lead to some pretty costly damage. You might want to consider getting a tripod.



Learn the Software

This is a pro-tip for all of those interested in astrophotography. The ideal way to take pictures of faraway objects is with the help of software. Use your PC to control the telescope and any equipment for snapping awesome pictures. A digital camera may not be included in the telescope starter kit.



Start Slow

You’re not working for NASA, nor is your telescope up to par with NASA’s equipment. Do not be disheartened by the inability to immediately see planets in HD. Take some time to perfect your technique by looking at the Moon, Mars, and other closer astronomical bodies.



Be Realistic

Your brand-new telescope is most likely not at the same standard as the Hubble. You won’t see faraway solar systems, let alone galaxies, but don’t let this discourage you. Your telescope was probably made for viewing closer objects, so stay within the realms of reality.



Have Fun

Most importantly of all, have fun with your new hobby. Stargazing isn’t about discovering new planets and comets; it’s about becoming mystified with the larger space around our tiny planet. Taking a course may help you better understand your telescope’s capacities, and you’ll also meet people who share your fascination with the heavens.



Recommended Accessories: Making the Most out of your Telescope



There are a wide range of accessories available to make star-hunting through your telescope a much more enjoyable hobby. These are a few accessories we’d recommend considering when shopping for your first telescope.



Smartphone Mount



If you don’t have a digital camera but have a smartphone, then you’ll definitely want to make use out of a smartphone mount. These mounts are placed near the end of the telescope and points your phone’s camera directly into the eyepiece. With your phone properly mounted, you won’t need to worry about blurred images since the mount keeps your phone in place. Just point the telescope to the right celestial coordinates and the objects will appear larger on your phone’s screen. This is a simple way to “magnify” objects without swapping out lenses.



Telescope Eyepieces



If you would like to improve magnification, then you’ll need several different lenses of varying focal lengths to produce the crispest images possible. Some eyepiece kits come with a dozen or more different lenses and filters that distinguish colors in the sky. Make sure the eyepieces are compatible with your telescope. When in doubt, ask the manufacturer about any eyepiece kits they have in store.



Cleaning Kits



Even if you keep your oily fingertips off the lenses, it’s only a matter of time before they become dirtied and muck up the image. A handy telescope cleaning kit comes with all of the necessities to safely wipe away dirt, oil, smudges, and anything else that can ruin the quality of space images. The price of these cleaning kits range from around $20 to upwards of $100. If you’re serious about your hobby, the pricier kits are definitely worth the investment.



Moon Filters



Although the moon merely reflects light from the sun, its brightness may be more than enough to punish your eyeballs. A moon filter over the eyepiece will help dim the lights, allowing you to get a closer look at the leftover craters caused by long-gone asteroids.



Astronomy Guide Books



The included paperwork can only teach you so much about stargazing. If you’d prefer doing things on your own rather than taking a course, then consider purchasing a guide book. These books usually share helpful tips on how to operate a telescope and the coordinates of astonishing astronomical objects.



Carrying Cases



To safely transport your telescope from your room to your backdoor, we wouldn’t advise carrying the entire unit with your bare hands. Instead, get a carrying case or bag for your telescope. The best cases have interior cushioning which saves the unit from warping in shape when accidentally dropped or bumped.

