Ever since the original Star Trek show came out and then Star Wars hit the screen I've been fascinated with outer space, the planets, stars, and space travel. Since I could never see myself as an astronaut or space shuttle commander I've done the next best thing and traveled to "space, the final frontier" in my own backyard with a telescope. We bought one when our son was young and let a salesman talk us into something that was too complicated for beginners. We never enjoyed that first one because it made us feel inadequate at the time. That's not true anymore.
With the newer models that have CD's DVD's and computer attachments that help you work the scope and understand what you're seeing, space is opened up to everyone from beginners to experts. Also, with the new technology your kids won't see this as a lame way to spend time together. It will get them off the couch but not out of your sight. We're all looking for easy ways to spend time with our kids, but if your like my husband and I we're just a little too old for vampire movies, extreme sports, or rollerblading. Sky watching is the perfect way to have time with the kids, keep up with what they're doing on the internet and learn something in the process.
Have you seen the new hot dog commercial on television where the Dad comes home and everyone is involved in some electronic item in separate rooms? He turns off the electricity and starts the grill. The family comes together and the fun begins. The same can be true for using a telescope to get your family up and outside to spend time together. The difference here is the newer model telescopes coexist with computers and electronics. Your kids will be satisfied that their not deprived of their electronics and you will be happy to have the TV turned off and conversation with your kids turned on.
Being able to shop on the internet without a salesman trying to make a commission, will make it easier for you to pick out the right telescope to fit your family in price and capabilities. Here are just a few things to get you started shopping. There are basically three types of telescopes. They are the reflector, the refractor, and a combination of the two called a catadioptric. After you figure out which of these is right for you then all you have to do is add the bells and whistles you want. It's just like buying a new TV set and getting the extra channels.
A reflector telescope uses mirrors to reflect the images you are observing back to the lens in the eyepiece. A refractor telescope scope only uses lenses in the eyepiece to bring the objects closer for you to view. A catadioptric combines both lenses and mirrors so it comes in a more compact size. Each is good in a different way. You just have to determine what features you want your telescope to have and match it to a model.
All telescopes have three basic functions. The first thing is to enhance the light gathering power of the human eye to make dim objects appear brighter, second is to magnify or make smaller objects appear larger, and lastly to make clearer the details on distant objects. Understanding magnification is fairly easy. The number next to the "X" on magnification is how many times the object will appear bigger than it is. So 20X to 80X means you can see something 20 to 80 times larger through the scope. Resolution is next to understand. Do you want to see a whole crater of the moon or be able to see all the little craters inside the big one. The biggest aperture number on the scope that fits your budget will give you the best image display.
With a little investigating on your part and help from a reliable retailer you will be able to find just the right telescope to interest your kids and get the quality time with them that means so much these days. Get to know them in a fun learning way before they are grown up and move far away. Good luck and great exploring of the "final frontier."
Evelyn Watson at http://spacetelescopesonline.com/ is retired and lives with her husband and son in a small rural Texas town. The skys are clear and perfect for space exploration with a telescope. They bought their first telescope for a Boy Scout project when their son was young. Once they found the correct model to fit their needs they spent a lot of quality time with Cody. He'll be leaving for college next year, so these memories are all the more precious to Evelyn. Visit SpaceTelescopesOnline to get a free brochure on types of telescopes and how to choose a telescope that's right for you and your family.