[AstroNet] Galileoscope discussion

[Okkie de Jager]

Dear all

I agree with what has been said, but let me state that
there are two broad approaches to outreach:

1) Where you actually visit the group/school train the people on the spot.

2) when you want to reach a large number of groups and your trainer/outreach person/Astronomer
cannot reach all of them.

All the discussions up to now focussed on point number (1).
I am however looking at a solution for (2): One possibility is:
You send a package by post which includes:
  (A) A cheap telescope (with very simple instructions) which should be easy to set up without expert supervision.
 (B) A popular Astronomy book with nice pics (e.g. "Astronomy Today" - Pearson)
 (C) Some posters etc.
If you go down route (2), then it is obvious that the telescope must not cost more than a few
hundred rand. Also, this is the very first contact with the kids will have with Astronomy and then
you do not need fancy stuff. This is why I thought about the Galileoscope (0.7 kg is OK for postage).
The kids are inventive - they will come up with an innovative idea for a "deadrest" structure for the Galileoscope
in the absence of a fancy tripod.

Option (2) is sowing seeds: some will be wasted but others should grow.

Any comments?

Regards
Okkie de Jager


>>> "Case Rijsdijk" <particles at mweb.co.za> 03/12/09 10:04 AM >>>
Hi All,

I have been following the discusion on the "Galilean Telescope" with 
interest. To me anything more that R100 for what is effectively a "toy" 
telescope is wasting money.

1    If you want to show anyone how a telescope works then the Johan Smit 
route or the SAAO telescope is fine and as good as anything else. By the way 
postive lenses for the SAAO scope are available form the same supplier. The 
lenses for such a scope cost < R2.00. The SAAO kit is easy to assemble and 
each child can walk away with their own fvor < R8

2    A 150mm Dobsonian is arguably the best alternative for a "proper" - 
robust, simple, poratble and cheap - avoid cheap tripods - they are never 
rigid enough. The one I have borrowed from SAAO works brilliantly and does 
not cost an arm and a leg!!

I think that SAAO should start taking orders for their little telescope 
rather than wasting money on imports.

Kind regards

Case 

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