You could start out on-the-cheap and try what Dave Dunn calls a "star stabber". Get a fairly bright flashlight and wrap something opaque around the front of it (i.e. make an extended cylinder around the front). If there is any dust in the air then you will be able to easily point things out. This is what I'm still currently using and it works quite well.

-----Original Message----- From: Lambert, Aaron [mailto:Aaron.Lambert@Williams.com] Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 8:56 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Meade LX10 8"

Thank you all for your replies, they have been very helpful. I will probably just wait and save up for a Celestron. I should have picked a less expensive hobby, but I'm hooked now. :) Speaking of expensive, I have been having a lot of fun pointing out things to my two older kids (4 and 6), but they have a difficult time with anything that is not obvious (they can find Venus, Orion, and Jupiter, but not Saturn). I have heard a lot of different opinions regarding the green laser pointer as a tool for pointing out stars. If they are as good as some people say it seems like it would be a perfect tool for making sure my kids and I are both looking at the same stars, and also handy for youth groups, and in general pointing things out for non-astronomers. Do any of you know if they are they as easy to see as advertised? I would hate to fork out $90 (they range from $60 to $160 but there seem to be reputable dealers at $90) only to find out that the beam did not help my kids at all.

Thanks again, Aaron

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