Galileoscopes go on sale

MSNBC Cosmic Log ^ | February 20, 2009 | Alan Boyle

[FreedomOfExpression]

Astronomers have launched a commercial venture aimed at putting low-cost telescopes in the hands of a million people around the world. The Galileoscope Web site, one of the cornerstone projects for the International Year of Astronomy, began taking orders for the simple yet powerful scopes Thursday night.

The Galileoscope has been designed as a tribute to Galileo Galilei, who lofted his telescope toward the heavens 400 years ago and started a revolution in the way we see the universe. This telescope would have knocked Galileo's stockings off: It is made to more exacting 21st-century standards, is easier to put together and shows the night sky's wonders more clearly than they were ever seen back in 1609.

One of the best things is the price: $15 for one, and a bulk rate of $12.50 per kit for 100 or more (not including shipping). That price point is aimed at making the kits affordable for students and educators as well as folks in less developed regions of the world.

[FreedomOfExpression]

The hand-held telescope has 50x magnification using both the eyepiece and the Barlow lens.

I wouldn't expect too much from a telescope of this size, but I'm going to try it out.

Comment from the chairman of the Galileoscope Task Group, in response to a question about where the money is going (found in the comments section at the linked article):

"The Galileoscope project is a labor of love by people who aren't in it to make money, but to share the wonders of the night sky with others and to help prepare the next generation to live in a world dominated by science and technology. Yes, our manufacturing and distribution partners will make a little money off the project, but only VERY little. They've given us incredibly good prices as their way of supporting the goals of the project. Galileoscope, LLC, is set up to make essentially no money -- we've priced the telescope kit so as to just barely cover our costs. Nearly all the money we've spent so far has come out of our own personal pockets, with uncertain prospects for ever recovering any of it. Galileoscope, LLC, has officers (as every company must) but no employees and no payroll.

"We haven't raised any money from donations or gifts. The only money coming in (finally, now that the site is up again) is money from orders, and that money is going to produce and distribute Galileoscopes. As you've probably seen on the site, we're taking some orders for delivery to customers and others for donation, i.e., for Galileoscopes that will be shipped to underserved astronomy groups (students, science museums, etc.) around the world."

[Zuben Elgenubi]

This will make a GREAT Cub Scout project. I think I'll get a hold of the local Pack Chairman and offer my services (Like Grandma said, you can't keep it unless you give it away).

[stylin19a]

I can finally trade this one in

[navyguy]

They are only 15 bucks each so I wonder about the quality, but its a good idea. At 50x its very low power but could make for nice viewing of the moon, Saturn and Jupiter.

[js1138]

It wouldn’t be difficult to exceed the quality of Galileo’s instrument, which, I think, is the point.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

((((( ping )))))

[Jeffrey_D.]

I just ordered 10 for our small church school!

They’re excited!!!

[NavyCanDo]

I’m liking the cub scout idea. My sons den leader is always looking for new ideas.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

When my son was in Cub Scouts many moons ago, I used to get 10 or so members of the local astronomy club to set up positions with their equipment during one of the monthly cub meetings. It was always a hoot.

They bring me back every year in the spring for a campfire explanation of the mythology of the constellations. Nearly every time I go to Krogers for groceries, I'll bump into some young man who initiates an astronomy conversation. It's just terrific.

[BubbaBasher]

I doubt that Saturn will even be a disk. Probably look just like a star. Jupiter will most likely be a small disk with a couple of moons as specks.

[BubbaBasher]

I used to do that too. One woman kept leaving the eye piece and looking at the opening of the scope. She expected to find a photo pasted there. lol I have an 8” equatorial with a clock drive and we were looking at the gap between Saturn’s rings and the planet itself.

[FreedomOfExpression]

I can finally trade this one in


I've tried using two of them as binoculars, but I always have trouble keeping them lined up properly.
Hmmm, maybe I should try fastening them together somehow...

Anyhoo, I think the $15.00 one just might give you more magnification.

[FreedomOfExpression]

They are only 15 bucks each so I wonder about the quality, but its a good idea. At 50x its very low power but could make for nice viewing of the moon, Saturn and Jupiter.

From the article, people who have received it are pleased with the quality.
It seems that getting it focused might take a little patience and slow adjustments, but I agree that it could work well for lunar and some planetary viewing.

[FreedomOfExpression]

I doubt that Saturn will even be a disk. Probably look just like a star. Jupiter will most likely be a small disk with a couple of moons as specks.

Now that I think about it, the observing guide has a picture that shows a simulated view of Jupiter. It's fairly small, but you can see it's bands, with the moons as bright specks.
I have not seen any pictures of how Saturn would supposedly look.

For $15.00 (+ shipping) I'll be giving it a shot.

[navyguy]

Yaeh, Saturn won’t be too exciting, even with cool, calm viewing conditions. But it should be brighter than most stars.

[BubbaBasher]

I posted that before I read the article. It says you can see the rings at x50 but I can’t imagine it looking like more than a dot with a bulge around it.

[SunkenCiv]

...a commercial venture aimed at putting low-cost telescopes in the hands of a million people around the world.

Okay, so, what's the political orientation of the jokers who run the company? IMHO that's literally the only thing that's important to consider about this product.

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