Re: [ATM] 4-1/4" Mirror Suggestions and Thoughts Wanted

[Michael Wheatley <mwheatley@telus.net>]

Don't forget binoculars for children starting to view the sky.

With both eyes in use and a wide field of view binoculars may be 
better than a telescope.

You would need some kind of tripod mount.  Has anyone had experience 
with the parallelogram style?

A green laser pointer works well also.

I had the five year old grand daughter out a few weeks back to see an 
Iridium flare.  A cluster of adults followed.  The laser pointer was 
a huge success.  Give a short tour, pointing out one or two constellations.

The five year old was the first to spot the flare.  Probably the 
advantage of a shoulder height vantage point.

I agree that building a telescope will be a great experience for a 
child but I expect using the telescope can have limits.

Mike Wheatley

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