What Are Good Telescopes For Kids?
We offer a number of different telescopes that are great for kids. If you have children under 8 years old, you may want to consider a tabletop Dobsonian. These small telescopes don't have a tripod and sit on a table, making them great for kids. When the telescope is on a table, it's easier to bring the telescope to their height, and it gives kids the added stability of sitting down while observing. For kids between 8 to 16 years old, the Celestron StarSense Explorer series is a fantastic choice. These telescopes utilize yours or your kid's smartphone technology to aid in pointing the telescope to visible objects in the night sky. If you're looking for a little bit more of an advanced telescope for the budding scientist or astronomer, a larger 6" or 8" Dobsonian is an excellent choice.
What Night Sky Objects Are Good For Kids To Observe Through A Telescope?
The moon is a fantastic object to observe through any telescope. Showing kids the moon is certain to impress them. We recommend observing the moon around the first or third quarter phase when the moon is halfway illuminated. This is one of the best times to see details in the many craters on the moon, which is guaranteed to impress kids of any age and even adults. Other great objects in the solar system to observe are Jupiter, where you can usually see its four main moons, and Saturn, which you can usually see its rings. As a reminder, never look at the sun through a telescope, as it can cause permanent damage to vision.
Other great objects to observe with children are star clusters like the Double Cluster and Hercules Cluster, as well as the Orion Nebula, Lagoon Nebula, and the Andromeda Galaxy.
What Age Is A Good Age for Children To Use A Telescope?
Children as young as 3 years old can use a telescope with help from an adult! We recommend having adult or parental supervision for any children under 12 years old when using a telescope, as there can be injury if used incorrectly. If you're going to let kids use a telescope, make sure they know how to properly use it and store it, and ensure that they never use it to look at the sun.
How Do I Store A Telescope When It's Not In Use?
Protecting a telescope when not in use is important maintenance that often gets overlooked. When not in use, always place the included dust covers on the front of the telescope and eyepiece so no dust can enter the optics. We recommend storing the telescope in a closet inside your home. Ideally, your telescope remains close to room temperature when not in use.