Re: Looking for a good beginner's telescope, suggestions?

From: Ken S. Tucker (dynamics_at_vianet.on.ca)
Date: 11/10/04 

Date: 9 Nov 2004 17:39:20 -0800

mtmr02@yahoo.com (Mark Roberts) wrote in message news:<6e74a1a1.0411091126.1df78925@posting.google.com>...
> Hi folks! My 12 year old son has been very interested in astronomy
> for the past year or so, and has been doing a lot of star gazing with
> the naked eye and a decent set of binoculars. I'd like to upgrade him
> for Christmas and get him a good beginner's telescope. (My definition
> of good would be probably run the middle between price and quality, as
> I don't want to go overboard and buy something expensive and then end
> up having him not use it!) He's primarily focused on the moon and
> constellations before and would like to check out the planets and
> maybe other objects further out. Anyone have any suggestions on what
> to get him? I would appreciate any information those with more
> experience than I could give. Thanks so much! - Mark

If you're boy has a good IQ, and takes geometry serious
then ask him if he understands what an "EQuatorial Mount"
is and how it works.
  Usually an interest in astronomy is indicative of
high intelligence and spatial understanding.
  Ask him if he would prefer an EQ mount or a less
expensive Alti-azmuth mount, to see if he knows the
diff. If he doesn't a week later, then you'll know
to get a cheapy Al-az department store job.
  OTOH if a 12 year old can explain to you why an
EQ mount is better, then the geometry lesson alone
for him polarizing an EQ is a cheap lesson.
  The scope oughta be a refractor at 60mm or a bit
more, to keep portability. Much larger will be
tough on a 12 year old, and reflectors are less
tolerant of abuse. That'll keep him busy until
next X-mas.
  Anyway, talk to him and get back to us about
what he think's he knows. ok?
Regards
Ken S. Tucker

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