Size is Relative

Is the 47mm clear objective Galileoscope a small telescope or a large telescope? Is it a serious telescope or a toy? The answer depends on one's attitude.

For starters, Galileo revolutionized astronomy with the insights provided by telescopes that were inferior in capability to the Galileoscope pictured above. With a serious attitude of inquiry others can follow in Galileo's footsteps while using a telescope (the Galileoscope) that Galileo would have treasured. To Galileo, the Galileoscope would be a large, high quality telescope -- and indeed it is -- until one starts comparing it with larger and better telescopes.

Don't be fooled! The Galileoscope will not show things as well as the pictures you've seen taken through the vastly more expensive Hubble Space Telescope. After all, if a $15.00 telescope could do as well as Hubble, what would be the point of building and putting into orbit such a large and costly beast?

Many telescopes are marketed by displaying sharp, colorful, astronomical images. Sometimes the images were taken through a telescope just like the one being sold. Yet, more often than not, no one can see the same objects when looking through the same telescope as well as the camera and (often) image-enhancing software depict them in the advertisements. It takes patience and experience to learn to see all that any telescope is capable of showing. Even then, it takes knowledge and the right attitude to appreciate what one sees.

My point? Don't expect miracles from the Galileoscope nor from any other telescope. The amount of joy that any telescope can provide is directly related to the attitude and drive of the individual using it. The most pleased new telescope owners are those that harbored no unrealistic expectations. In other words, since no beginner truly knows in advance what to expect, the clearest road toward pleasure with any telescope is the road on which one has no expectations.

I can honestly say that I've enjoyed the few sessions I've had so far using my own Galileoscope. Yet, it's with some reservation that I would recommend the same telescope to a beginner. This is because I know that the beginner would be, more likely than not, disappointed with his/her initial views. Few beginners start out with an attitude that allows for a pleasurable experience when using a relatively small telescope. Nevertheless, in my opinion the Galileoscope would make a good first telescope. Just remember to supply it with a reasonably sturdy tripod that's tall enough for comfortable use.

In my opinion it would be a mistake to provide a beginner with a far more expensive first telescope. Telescopes need tender, loving care if one wants them to last and continue to perform as well many years later as they did on their first night out. The higher a telescope's quality is, the easier it is to abuse, improperly use, and damage by ignorance and negligence. It's better to learn how to care for a telescope while using a less (rather than more) expensive instrument. This is another factor that makes the Galileoscope a good first choice.

I enjoy pushing myself as well as whatever telescope I'm using to both of our limits. This is a large part of the reason why a person like myself, who has access to larger and better telescopes, can still enjoy observing with a small Galileoscope. I'm fortunate to live in a region where I have easy access to a truly dark night sky. Though that didn't happen entirely by coincidence! A dark sky greatly enlarges the list of what one can see with any telescope. City dwellers will have to be content to observe only the brighter objects visually -- objects like the moon, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn. Of these, the moon is likely to be of greater interest. Each night the shadows on the moon are different. Each night there's something different to see.

I started out in this hobby using a telescope somewhat similar to the Galileoscope. The hobby became far more interesting after I started recorded my observations using words and sketches. Some have started out differently while still achieving a life-long interest. Unfortunately, many others have dropped out of the hobby after spending a brief time attempting to use a telescope. To succeed one needs a usable telescope along with a die-hard attitude. Of the two, attitude is of greater importance.

So, is the Galilescope a serious telescope or a mere child's toy? The answer depends on the end user and their attitude.