I found a kid’s basic starter telescope at the Salvation Army (brand new) for the whopping price of $5.99. It’s magnification is 20-40mm. Complete with a tripod.
It is plastic and exceptionally basic. If I paid full price, I’d be really disappointed. I also bought, same day, a pair of mid to excellent grade binoculars -20 years old- for $4.99 complete with the limited lifetime warranty info if I need to return them. Party On Garth!
It took me 20 minutes tonight to locate a bright glowing moon on a clearless night. Mind you, my kids were jostling the table. But, when I did find this elusive satellite, and the kids were able to see it through the scope, it was a pretty cool moment. I think I was able to convey, with an orange and a globe, how the moon moved, though after about twenty seconds, I was grasping for straws for more info. ( Og Bless Science Teachers who do this better than me.)
So, naturally, being fairly stoked about locating the moon, and some other star and/or planet/UFO ( yeah, as if) I want to upgrade now, now, now.
Naturally, now, now, now is not exactly in a cash solvent time period. I’m pretty sure next year or six billionteen won’t be either.
I am openly taking bids on who would like to buy me something bigger and better.
I have no pride. In fact, I’d like to say I’m shameless.
If that all fails, I wouldn’t mind links to star spotting guides on line.
Or a gift certificate to this not that I even know what exactly it does, but dang, I think it is the machine that goes PING!