Are Your Kids Spaced Out This Summer? Finding the Right Telescope Is the First Step.

It's summertime, and every parent is searching for ways to keep their kids outside pursuing fun, educational activities. Time to get your kids 'spaced out' - not in front of a computer, television or video game, but spaced out in a healthier way.

"Nearly all kids have an inherent interest in stars, planets and what's 'out there' in space," says Steve Peters, vice president of merchandising for Orion Telescopes and Binoculars, the industry's largest direct-to-consumer brand of quality optics. "But there are two main misperceptions about astronomy as a hobby. One is that it's complicated to do, and the other is that it's expensive to get started in. Neither is true! A good quality telescope suitable for kids and adults can be purchased for less than $200."

Peters warns not to buy a cheap, flimsy telescope at the mall with the intention of getting a taste of the sky and upgrading later.

"Many of these so-called 'beginning' telescopes are of such poor-quality that they're frustrating to use and end up turning budding stargazers off of astronomy for good," he says. Here are some things to consider when looking for the right telescope for your family:

Skinny or Fat?

The single most important specification for any astronomical telescope is its aperture. This term refers to the diameter of the telescope's main optical element, either a lens or a mirror. A telescope's aperture relates directly to the two most important aspects of the telescope's performance: its light-gathering power which determines how bright objects viewed in the scope will appear, and its maximum resolving power or how much fine detail it can reveal. The larger a telescope's aperture (i.e., the fatter it is), the more you will see.

Is Power Important?

Unfortunately, the first question most beginners ask is not "What is this telescope's aperture?" but "What is its magnifying power?" The truth is, any telescope can be made to provide almost any magnification, depending on what eyepiece is used. But too much magnification results in a dim, blurry image. The aperture and the quality of the optics affect the highest power that can be used effectively on a telescope.

The maximum useful magnification for any telescope is about 60 times the aperture in inches, or two times the aperture in millimeters. This equates to over 100x with the smallest telescopes, which is enough to see such wonders as the rings of Saturn and cloud bands on Jupiter.

Is Bigger Better?

While aperture is the most important specification of any telescope, there are exceptions to the rule that "bigger is better." The most important is the need for portability. Beginners should start out with a scope of sufficient aperture to feed your interest, but of a size that is portable and which you can manage easily. If you buy the largest telescope you can afford without regard to portability, you may find it too heavy and bulky to use and it will soon be gathering dust in the garage.

Why is the Mount Important?

Flimsy, tripod style legs have dashed the interest of many a beginning stargazing enthusiast. Look for a telescope with sturdy support and which moves smoothly and easily. Some telescopes feature a Dobsonian base, an extremely stable, lazy-susan style of base that glides smoothly on Teflon bearings.

The Bottom Line

Remember that the best telescope for your kids and family is the one that will be used most often. A huge, optically wonderful scope will bring no joy if it is consigned to the garage because it is a burden to set up and use. Also remember that a larger-aperture (diameter) telescope will reveal more in the night sky than a smaller one. And buy from a company that's knowledgeable about telescopes and astronomy, and who will support you even after your purchase.

And now, the sky's the limit for outside summer fun! Besides the moon, stars, and planets, summertime offers a wealth of other celestial treats worth learning about and looking at. The Learning Center at www.telescope.com will keep your family up-to-date on all the viewing wonders in the night sky!