Monday, November 2, 2009

Galileoscope
















Did you know that 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy?  To celebrate, a team of astronomers,optical engineers and science educators created this low-cost telescope kit. AT around $20, they are trying to get one in the hands of as many school age kids as they can, even in third world countries.  We had an opportunity to get a bulk rate with some other home educators.














It is supposed to replicate the first images Galileo Galilei would have first glimpsed through his telescope 400 years ago. Here he is trying to use it to pick up chicks:


















You can see luner craters and mountains, four moons circling Jupiter, the phases of Venus and Saturn's rings and a lot more. Here is what the moon looks like through it:















Or if you are Jane....nothing because she couldn't figure out how to close one eye and focus with the other.

































What a fun time we had the other night using it for the first time though..AWESOME!

3 comments:

really.truly said...

That is so cool...and YOU are so funny :) I'm going to look for one of those 'scopes.

chicago_mom said...

People who get cool astronomy kits as a bulk rate with a homeschool group should ask their homeschooling sisters if they want one too, dont you think? Hmmmm?

Kelli said...

That is so cool. I should get one for Jamison because she loves looking at the moon. Awe, sweet Jane!