Galileo’s first telescope was basically a tube containing two lenses, and was a three-power instrument. His next effort magnified objects approximately nine times. Now, you can have a Galileo-like experience, and view the things he saw looking through the “Galileoscope.” But the view will be much better. The Galileoscope, now on sale for the great price of $15 each USD (or less — see below), is a cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy, aiming to promote astronomical observing. These scopes are high quality, easy-to-assemble and easy-to-use. Order one or a ton at the Galileoscope website.
Galileoscopes are available for US $15 per kit. Discounts are available for group purchases of 100 or more, bringing the price down to US$12.50 each, reducing costs for schools, colleges, astronomical societies, or even parties of interested individuals.
Remember the first time you looked through a telescope? Consider sharing that experience by donating Galileoscopes to less-advantaged schools or organizations. Donating increases the project’s global impact and gives people who might otherwise never have the opportunity to look through a telescope the chance to join millions of skywatchers worldwide in a shared experience of astronomical discovery. Find out more about donating at the Galileoscope website.
The Galileoscope is a professionally endorsed scientific instrument, developed by astronomers, optical engineers and science educators to make the wonders of the night sky more accessible to everyone. Orders can now be placed through www.galileoscope.org for delivery beginning in late April.
The Galileoscope is a high quality 50-mm f/10 telescope, with a glass doublet achromatic objective. A 0-mm Plossl-like eyepiece with twin plastic doublet achromatic lens gives a magnification of 25x across a 1.5-degree field, and a 2x Barlow lens (also a plastic doublet achromat) gives a magnification of 50x. The Barlow lens can also be used as a Galilean eyepiece to give a magnification of 17x and a very narrow field of view to simulate the “Galileo experience”. The standard 1.25-inch focuser accepts commercial accessories.
Source: Galileoscope project
Cheap . How much for a sky without light pollution close to New York City ?
Galileo had it so easy, he didn’t have the light pollution like I do in Dallas. Can’t see squat. Sigh.
Hopefully Earth Hour will be taken seriously here. If it is I might actually be able to see the Milky Way for the first time in years.
Still, a 50X Scope for 15 bucks? That’s a pretty good deal!
Just a typo…it is a 20mm eyepiece. The eye relief is pretty good on it. I have used the prototypes extensively and think you will be pleased with the Galileoscope.
Steve Says:
March 4th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
“Hopefully Earth Hour will be taken seriously here. If it is I might actually be able to see the Milky Way for the first time in years.”
Ken Oath. In Sydney the past 2 years running, the difference in sky darkness is literally amazing – the stars just simply appear out of nowhere over the space of half a minute as people turn their lights off. Not to mention how utterly awesome and eerie it is to be in a city without lighting. It rules all over the place.
Darn!! I want one (or a hundred)!!!
Any chances to ship it to Brazil? I have lots of kids in my area that will be surprise with this scope!!!!
And most important, they will leave my 8″ newtonian alone!!!!
Hi all,
In Spain we had the Earth hour too, but people were not really interested in seeing the sky at night, so there was no milky way, no stars… nothing at all.
I think the galileoscope is a great idea, and I’m thinking of buying some items for my astronomy group.
Yes, it is a great deal. But I still think that a good pair of binoculars is better. Just make sure the big number (the size of the objective in mm) divided by the little number (the power of magnification) is 5 or greater. That gives you the exit pupil in mm. Like 45×5. Or 70×10. And more power is not necessary better – not if you holding it in your hands in a wind!
I would really appreciate it if someone could advise me on whether this was good value at US $40 which is what it will cost me with shipping, is this still a better bet than a department store telescope, I can get one from an electronics chain with similar specs (from what I can tell) plus a tripod for US $30, I have been waiting for some independent reviews and/or some photo’s of what you can see of saturn and jupiter. If I wait too long I may miss out altogether so would appreciate some advise, it’s frustrating when they only talk about it’s value minus freight when most of us if not all will have to pay freight.
kiwigazer, the shipping cost per telescope goes down quickly if you order more than one. I know you might not want more, but you can always “pool’ orders with neighbors. Even in the US, just ordering half a dozen, the shipping cost per telescope quickly drops to under half as much.
As for the department store telescope, check if it has an achromatic objective lens and a Plossl eyepiece. Many department store telescopes come with cheap Huygens eyepieces which is enough to spoil them right there.