My little stargazer...

[lunar-chaser-1973]

My eldest is 5 years old and he's obsessed with space. He loves to look through my 'scope (Explorer 200P) but it can prove difficult as I normally have to lift him up to see which is rather impractical.

Can anybody recommend a solution of any kind that would enable him to view in comfort?

Thanks!

John

[jimmyjamjoejoe]

Milk crate

[steelfixer]

you could try a set of those steps/ladder that convert into a raised platform.

[lunar-chaser-1973]

I have a small stepladder that would work but he doesn't feel safe on it I was thinking more along the lines of something that fits to the eyepiece or the focus tube; an extension tube of some kind, if such a thing exists? I will keep searching the online stores but I haven't found anything yet...

[Ags]

Simple... You obviously need to buy another telescope. I think a takahashi would be very child-friendly! :-)

[Telrad]

How about a CCD connected to a laptop or something?

[JonF]

Buy him his own scope. You can get a reasonable second hand scope for not much money, it'll be his, with all the pride of ownership that'll give, and if he eventually gets bored you can sell it on to the next little stargazer.

[lunar-chaser-1973]

Another 'scope is a bit out of my budget unfortunately, as is a CCD! I have a DSLR which attaches to the scope and control software so that the shots appear on the screen, but he prefers to see the view with his own eyes rather than on a laptop! If anybody has seen 'The Knowing' with Nicolas Cage, at the start of the film he's looking at Saturn through his 'scope. The viewer he's using appears to attach the the focus tube at a right angle. I've searched for something like this with no results.

[MG1]

It's not just a star diagonal rotated is it?

[MG1]

PS with my niece I just set up lower. Like when imaging...no extensions on the legs and then just rotate the diagonal to her eye level. If it is still too high she stands on a cracket.

[lunar-chaser-1973]

It could be a star diagonal, but it seems to have an extension tube or viewfinder of some kind attached.

See below. I've increased the exposure to make it clearer.

[Telrad]

It could be a star diagonal, but it seems to have an extension tube or viewfinder of some kind attached.

See below. I've increased the exposure to make it clearer.

Yes, the clip from Knowing with the hot dogs!

[Ags]

I don't think it is real kit. The art director probably thought this arrangement looked more science-ey. Newts don't have that much focus travel.

[lunar-chaser-1973]

Yeh that's the one! I was wondering if what he's using actually exists?

[Telrad]

[ATTACH]74558[/ATTACH]

It's only a movie-prop from the film, the Director thought it was more aesthetic than having the Nicholas Cage's son in the film standing on a stool or stepladder..

[Ags]

Huhh???

[Moonshane]

I think it's an erecting prism possibly?

make a small platform from timber. you could then reduce this in size as he gets bigger and then use it as a stool.

[lunar-chaser-1973]

Thanks Telrad. So I'm guessing it is a film prop! Ah well!

[Telrad]

I think it's an erecting prism possibly?

make a small platform from timber. you could then reduce this in size as he gets bigger and then use it as a stool.

That's a great idea.

[Ags]

I think the important thing about the film still you posted is the posture of the actor - his relaxed, intense look. The scope has been arranged around that look and merely has to look plausible.

[Telrad]

I think the important thing about the film still you posted is the posture of the actor - his relaxed, intense look. The scope has been arranged around that look and merely has to look plausible.

yes, as plausible as the plot of Knowing.

Contact is better anyway..

[lunar-chaser-1973]

yes, as plausible as the plot of Knowing.

What, don't you believe in aliens? The truth is out there, Scully!

Back to the drawing board I guess!

[Telrad]

What, don't you believe in aliens? The truth is out there, Scully!

Back to the drawing board I guess!

lol

seriously, back to the thread; there must be similar attachments for scopes, prehaps like the old Mersenne Telescopes, which allowed people in wheelchairs to view through the secondary?

I'm sure they are still available?

[Helen]

How about a barstool or ironing chair which will get him up to the eyepiece and actually give a much better view as he'll be still.

Helen