- #1
enorbet
- 481
- 85
Greetings! I have read every post in this thread and I'm suitably impressed with the variety and quality of posters so I think I may get a good answer here. Although I have only minimal to moderate knowledge of where things are in the sky, I do see the value in Dobson's and respect the recommendations. If I was buying a 1st scope for me that's what I'd do. However, I'm on a mission.
Recently I bought an $80US microscope that connects to a PC and displays on the screen for the purpose of making it easier for my 9 year old granddaughter to "get right to it" and have fun so that she would become enthused about Science and the diversity of the world around her, including the normally unseen parts. It has been a huge success and I would like to repeat that on the Macro scale with a telescope.
With just one 2 hour session, and no real tutorial (just her inquisitive mind watching) the next time she could set it up all by herself and dial up whatever she pleased. She seems to respect that it is an instrument and not a toy and treats it with respect and care. So I'm looking for a telescope, perhaps even one that like her microscope that can easily be connected to a laptop for viewing if there aren't serious shortcomings to that. I would like it to have a fairly clear view of at least some details for Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn and at least a glimmer of sights like Andromeda. I doubt I can achieve all of this for less than $300 but I'd prefer not to spend more than $700-800.
So, is it possible with some considerable convenience in mind (I don't want to start off making it a job to learn the skies just yet so Go To seems a must) to fulfill this quest or must I wait until I can spend more? Considering my budget and what accessories I will likely need right away I had considered http://www.highpointscientific.com/...n-nexstar-90-slt-computerized-telescope-22087 this one as an example of what I suppose would just barely fulfill my/our minimal requirements. Am I on the right track?
Recently I bought an $80US microscope that connects to a PC and displays on the screen for the purpose of making it easier for my 9 year old granddaughter to "get right to it" and have fun so that she would become enthused about Science and the diversity of the world around her, including the normally unseen parts. It has been a huge success and I would like to repeat that on the Macro scale with a telescope.
With just one 2 hour session, and no real tutorial (just her inquisitive mind watching) the next time she could set it up all by herself and dial up whatever she pleased. She seems to respect that it is an instrument and not a toy and treats it with respect and care. So I'm looking for a telescope, perhaps even one that like her microscope that can easily be connected to a laptop for viewing if there aren't serious shortcomings to that. I would like it to have a fairly clear view of at least some details for Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn and at least a glimmer of sights like Andromeda. I doubt I can achieve all of this for less than $300 but I'd prefer not to spend more than $700-800.
So, is it possible with some considerable convenience in mind (I don't want to start off making it a job to learn the skies just yet so Go To seems a must) to fulfill this quest or must I wait until I can spend more? Considering my budget and what accessories I will likely need right away I had considered http://www.highpointscientific.com/...n-nexstar-90-slt-computerized-telescope-22087 this one as an example of what I suppose would just barely fulfill my/our minimal requirements. Am I on the right track?
