One of the best gifts that you can give a child is their first telescope. Nothing beats the excitement of peering out in to space for the first time. The first close glimpse of the moon and all of it's craters and the sight of Saturn's rings all amaze children and adults alike.
Choosing a telescope for a child is tricky. You want to ensure that you select one of quality. Toy stores carry a selection of telescopes but the sad fact is that most of them are junk that barely work. A little research before you buy can make all of the difference. There are affordable high quality scopes available that are designed to be easy to use for first time star gazers. On average, you can expect to find a quality scope for - 0 on sale or a bit more at retail. Researching and price comparing on the web can score you even better deals.
The most important part of a telescope is the lens. Most starter scopes have what is known as a "refracting lens". These lenses magnify objects by using a convex bent glass. They are adjustable for focus and field of vision. This allows the user to point the scope at an object in space and focus the scope on the object.
If you are shopping for a telescope for beginners, you may also wish to consider giving a guide to the stars and planets. There are many good books for children and young adults that will help them understand more about what they are seeing through the scope.
The first thing that most people want to view with a telescope is the moon. After examining Earth's own satellite and all of it's craters, the next stop is likely the ringed Saturn or even the big dipper and Little Dipper. The Gemini Twins and Orion also make for exciting viewing with a new backyard telescope.
There is no better way to encourage a love of learning than the gift of a hands on experience. When you shop for a beginners telescope you are doing more than giving a simple gift. You are unlocking curiosity and an interest in science that will stay with a child for years to come. Who knows, you could even inspire the next generation of astronauts!
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