[AstroNet] Galileoscope discussion

[Kobie van Zyl]

Claire,

 

I removed the image from the post and placed it on
http://www.skywatcher.co.za/images/dob76.jpg 

 

Greetings,

Kobie

 

From: Claire Flanagan [mailto:Claire.Flanagan at wits.ac.za] 
Sent: 11 March 2009 07:51 AM
To: Kobie van Zyl
Subject: RE: [AstroNet] Galileoscope discussion

 

Kobie: thanks very much for this, first question (of course!): we can't
retail them?  Outreach only?

 

Your astronet posting I think was rejected because the attachment is too
large, can you put the image on your website?  Astronet needs to see this

 

Thanks

Claire

 

  _____  

From: Kobie van Zyl [mailto:kobie at technopro.co.za] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 12:15 AM
To: Claire Flanagan; astronet at saasta.ac.za
Subject: RE: [AstroNet] Galileoscope discussion

 

Claire,

 

I also embarked on a project to acquire cheap and easy to use telescopes for
the IYA2009.  I already placed an order for 500 units of a 76mm Dobsonian
telescope with a 300mm focal length.  My argument in support of the
Dobsonian telescope is that it is very easy to use, especially by children,
objects are easily found and followed without all kinds of tripod issues.  

 

I attach a picture of the telescope for information.  These scopes will be
available in 30- 45 days and will be available for around R300 each
(complete with two eyepieces, finder scope and dobs mount preassembled in a
colourful box) to outreach project organizers.

 

I fully support your statement about Dobsonian telescopes being the easiest
units for the novice to be able to use without too much hassle.  The scopes
mentioned above will not be suitable for deep-sky viewing but does offer
very acceptable views of the moon and other bright objects.  (I already
received a sample and have been using it on occasion) 

 

Best regards, 

Kobie van Zyl 

Technological Professional Solution Providers (PTY) Ltd 

Phone: +27-11-792-6034      Facsimile: +27-11-792-6755 
Email:  <mailto:kobie at technopro.co.za> mailto:kobie at technopro.co.za 
Internet:  http://shop.technopro.co.za 

http://www.skywatcher.co.za                
  
  
This message may contain information which is confidential and subject to
legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not peruse,
use, disseminate, distribute or copy this message. If you have received this
message in error, please notify the sender immediately by email, facsimile
or telephone and return and/or destroy the original message.

 

 

From: astronet-bounces at mail.saasta.ac.za
[mailto:astronet-bounces at mail.saasta.ac.za] On Behalf Of Claire Flanagan
Sent: 10 March 2009 07:32 PM
To: astronet at saasta.ac.za
Subject: Re: [AstroNet] Galileoscope discussion

 

 

Kevin: what's the chance of getting the cardboard-tube telescope kits that
SAAO used to distribute going again?  Any idea what they would cost?  And
what they can see?

 

We haven't considered stocking the Galileoscope here - looking at the price
of it, and then remembering it needs a tripod (not included), and that it's
a small telescope, we didn't see how it could compete in the retail market
with e.g. the Celestron Powerseeker - 60mm telescope, with tripod, for R650.
Cheapest tripod I can find on the internet is R400.  

 

My ideal for outreach would be a stack of Dobsonian telescopes - bigger
aperture, solid mount, easy to point at stuff like the Moon.  Then I'd loan
them out for a sky-watching evening.  Would need at least a trailer to
transport though . . . 

 

The Galileoscope on a cheap tripod is going to be shaky and difficult I
suspect for a kid to use.  How are you thinking of using them for outreach?
Have we heard from anyone who has been using them?  

 

Kobie and Andrie: I'd be really interested to hear your opinions . . . 

 

And what happened to the CSIR project to make telescopes for local outreach?
Anyone on the list know about that one?

 

Claire Flanagan

Jhb Planetarium

 


This communication is intended for the addressee only. It is confidential.
If you have received this communication in error, please notify us
immediately and destroy the original message. You may not copy or
disseminate this communication without the permission of the University.
Only authorized signatories are competent to enter into agreements on behalf
of the University and recipients are thus advised that the content of this
message may not be legally binding on the University and may contain the
personal views and opinions of the author, which are not necessarily the
views and opinions of The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All
agreements between the University and outsiders are subject to South African
Law unless the University agrees in writing to the contrary.

 


This communication is intended for the addressee only. It is confidential.
If you have received this communication in error, please notify us
immediately and destroy the original message. You may not copy or
disseminate this communication without the permission of the University.
Only authorized signatories are competent to enter into agreements on behalf
of the University and recipients are thus advised that the content of this
message may not be legally binding on the University and may contain the
personal views and opinions of the author, which are not necessarily the
views and opinions of The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All
agreements between the University and outsiders are subject to South African
Law unless the University agrees in writing to the contrary.

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mail.saasta.ac.za/pipermail/astronet/attachments/20090311/a53678ce/attachment.htm>