JohnnyLarge Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 I'm John from Chesterfield in Derbyshire. I have an 8-year old Daughter who loves looking at the moon and stars through a £1 Tasco 20-60 scope I got from a charity shop. I also have a 4-year old boy and a Wife who is interested in astronomy too.We have had some good views of the moon in the last few months but struggle because the scope isn't steady on it's tripod and the optics are ropy at best. It is her birthday in January and unbeknown to her, I have just bought her a Celestron Firstscope 76 all boxed up and never used for £20 off e-bay. I had a little look through it at objects out of the window during the day and am impressed at the optics on such a little thing. I have just ordered her a new accessory kit for it. I found one on Amazon for £13 delivered.I know it's not the greatest telescope going but I've not invested too much if she decides it's not for her. It will make a great little ornament in the window. (and for me to use )I can't wait for us to use it and hope to see some new stuff. I have downloaded Stellarium and am researching some basic maps etc to point us round a little.I'm hoping we can learn a little from you guys on here.What kind of stuff can we expect to see on a clear night given the little scope we have? (I know we won't see stars close up!!)RegardsJohn & Family:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uplooker Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 John & Family, welcome to SGL. Sorry, but I am not familiar with scope you bought, so cannot advise on the views you will get. It is a good starting point though until you know if it sparks everyones interest.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Hi there and welcome John and family:), with that scope you should resolve Jupiter and its moons, quite a site.Good luckGlen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beale Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Hi John, I'm John from Alabama USA. Truly, it is a small scope but don't sell it short. You can have great views of the Moon and Jupiter and Saturn as well as countless open clusters and globular clusters. The Orion Nebula will be awesome. Get you a good sky chart and you will be impressed with this "small" scope. Clear skies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkis Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 A warm welcome to SGL John and Family,How nice that a whole family has the same interest in astronomy.It is a fascinating hobby, and it can become addictive and expensive. You have invested in a small scope, and it should show you some of the brighter object, The moon obviously, Jupiter is available in the south, and unmistakably bright, looking like a bright star, but the scope should show it as a disc, and perhaps it's four main moons. These will be fairly close to the planet, and maybe either side of it, or invisible if the are behind it, depending on where they are in their orbits around Jupiter.Lots to see, so perhaps if you buy a book called 'Turn Left at Orion', would be of help to you.Any questions you want to ask, just post in the beginners section, and lots of helpful people will respond.Good luck with the new scope.Ron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwadBaggie Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 welcome john and family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Hello John and family and welcome to SGL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbytate Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Hi John and family and welcome to sgl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Hello and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Hi Johny and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonp Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Hi and welcome, I hope you all have some great times with the new scope.I remember when my Dad let me look through his old telescope, we had some great times and it really got me into astronomy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Hi John and welcome to the forum.I've not heard of this scope so had a little look around and to be honest the news isn't great. A simple google search of reviews reveal that although the scope SHOULD be ok it isn't. The main problem would appear to be that there is no means of collimating the primary mirror, namely that the mirror at the bottom of the tube cannot be aligned with the smaller mirror and the focuser in order that an image can be brought to focus. The only adjustment available is with the secondary mirror (small mirror at the top of the tube) so it seems that its going to be a matter of luck as to whether you get a good one or duff one from the factory. The only screws at the bottom of the mirror actually release the entire mirror assembly instead of being a means of aligning the mirror with the secondary. There is very little in the instructions to help with this and in fact Celestron ask that any difficulties be referred back to them - not a good sign. There is a 'proper' manual accessible from their website which provides more information but to be honest, if you can't make any adjustment, then these extra notes are pointless. There is no finder with the scope and there would appear to be issues with the focusing with part of the image being in focus whilst other parts are not, which would suggest that the mirror is not consistently spherical. There are some reports of shadows appearing over parts of the image which might indicate a focuser problem.I have to be honest, with all that I have read this is an example of a scope where the quality control over its production is very inconsistent, which is a disappointment given the manufacturer involved. I am not suggesting that the one you have purchased will necessarily be poor and of course only those that have a problem are the ones reported, which itself can give a false impression of the effectiveness of the total number of these products out there. What is clear, is that they are made to a price and a keen one at that and I genuinely hope that you have one of the better ones. I would suggest that you google the reviews of this scope to make sure that before you wrap it all up for your daughter that there aren't any of the faults described. I hope I haven't been too depressing but I would rather be honest than polite with regards to the expectations of the 'little ones', especially on their birthday.James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Presland Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 hi welcome to sgl from bedfordshire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Hi John and welcome from Belper in Derbyshire.There's quite a large community on Derbyshire/east midlands astronomers on SGL, glad to have you aboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celeste Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Hi and welcome from us I also bought my 9yo son a scope (for xmas) I got a big(ish) one so if his interest wanes...mine won't and I can have it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Baby Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 HI from me too - I;d not worry about the technical aspects of this telescope for an 8 year old. Even the meanest of telescopes will provide some wonder to a child, as your £1 Tasco purchase shows, where something more 'with it' may actually be too complicated and end up putting them off.Just berwear putting the scope in the window - make sure it has a cap on its tube so that the sun doesnt go down there - these things act as a super powerful magnifying glass and I'd hate to see your curtains going up in flams. Safe enough so long as you keep a cap over its end. Also (and its so obvious I am sure you know this) never let your children try and look at the sun with ANY telescope because you can be blinded for life - to be fair I have never known anyone do it but its standard advice.I think she will love it myself - its a good little scope for a child to learn a little with and at that price its happiness on the cheap.Welcome to the forum by the way Mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrobase1 Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Hi John and FamilyLittle seeds into big things growWish I had that kind of scope as a Christmas presentClear skies to you all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Senior Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Hi John and Family, welcome to the Lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyLarge Posted November 14, 2010 Author Share Posted November 14, 2010 Thanks for the warm welcome!I've had a quick looksee through the scope out of the bedroom window using both supplied lenses. One is 15x and the other 75x.Looking at a tree about 60 yards away, I could focus on individual twigs with the 15x and buds with the 75x. I could also see tiny marks on the fascia boards on the house 70 yards away and bring them into focus quite nicely.The diference between this Celestron Firstscope and the old Tasco 20-60x40 is amazing. The same stuff is blurred and looks milky yellow in comparison with the Tasco.The accessory kit has arrived too. It's a pity we have to wait until January to use it!My Daughter has been amazed with what she can see already, the new scope should really be a nice present for her.I'm going to keep my eyes out for better quality eyepieces and maybe a Barlow lens. I'm sure something reasonably priced will turn up as I am a good bargain hunter.ATBJohn:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeedyF Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Hello and welcome from me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillc Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Hello John and family and a warm welcome to SGL.phillc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glowjet Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Hi John and family,A very warm welcome to SGL, hope you enjoy the forum.John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E621Keith Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 Hi JohnWelcome to SGL. I hope you enjoy this forum and astronomy. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnh Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 Welcome from Brisbane.JohnH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan of Borg Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 Hello and welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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