When a beginner asks advice

In the past weeks I have noticed quite a few messages requesting
advice regarding which or what telescope is that best suited to the
beginner.

I notice that there are some who are happy to suggest that such and
such a telescope is great, however I often wonder as to the real
helpfullness of this advice.

There is abviously a great deal of difference whether the beginner is
a twelve year old, or a sixty year old. The latter probably may have
in mind the purchase of a telescope suitable for serious amateur
astronomy, and will have accumulated the financial means with which to
obtain a suitable instrument whereas the twelve year old may be
wishing to spend his hard saved pocket money with great expectations
of hoping to see images similar to those which appear on telescope
boxes, and which never can be seen with the telescope enclosed within
the box.

I agree also that children will probably, as has been suggested in
previous posts want to see the planets whereas more mature astronomers
may wish to explore the planets, but also more subtle aspects of
astronomy such as comets or Deep Sky Objects.

Would it not be a better service to the prospective customer, to delve
a little further by enquiring as to what aspects of astronomy
particularly interest the observer, before stating you will be happy
with the Astroflash Starwalker at £199, erroneously building up the
hopes of the person who then makes the purchase to find a (if lucky) a
bright homogeneous blob lacking in any detail whatever? Then
determined to progress through life in the ill conceived belief that
amateur astronomy is a total waste of time?

Surely since planetary observation to be meaningful require large
apertures which can withstand use of high magnification in order to
observe the changing detail must be used, should we not be pointing
this out truthfully to those who ask for our opinions?

I recently gave the advice that for the same money a much better
purchase would be a good pair of binoculars, which albeit lacking in
being sutable for serious planetary observations, are amply suitable
for general observation such as reasonably bright comets, star
clusters etc.

I wonder that for children who wish to learn more about planetary
details would the better advice not be to direct them a good bookshop
or website where excellent photographs and books detailing information
not be a better bet? Maybe they would be better spending their money
to join a good astronomy club where high quality telescopes may be
readily available for use and maybe loan?

We have to accept that good telescopes are expensive instruments,
there is no getting away from this, surely it is time to be honest
with beginners with this respect and to dis-courage them from buying
cheap telescopes which although looking attractive may be as useful as
a chocolate teapot?

In a world where the amateur astronomer may well not exist in another
few generations due to lack of interest, and perhaps bad experiences
from using ACME telescopes, should we not be more responsible in the
advice we give in order to maintain the hobby in future generations?

Just my thoughts.