Astrosetz
sage
Reged: 10/05/03
Posts: 338
Loc: Wisconsin
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Does anyone know the status of the Galileoscope Cornerstone Project? Pedro, any insight? I haven't seen anything new on it for some time at the .org or .us websites.
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-Astrosetz
www.astrosetz.com
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hbh
newbie
Reged: 09/18/08
Posts: 2
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Here is the status in the US as of Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008
To: "Heidi B. Hammel" <hbh@alum.mit.edu>
From: "Stephen M. Pompea" <spompea@noao.edu>
Heidi:
Right now we are working very hard on getting the Galileoscope into production. We have had meetings with a number of donors and are awaiting word on a major donor we met with a while back. I don't have pricing information until we know the size of the order. If we place a large order the telescopes will be $10 without tripod. We have located some inexpensive tripods. The telescopes will have a tripod mounting 1/4 20 nut in them. Our last design modification was to reinforce the tripod mounting area.
If we do not get the funding we hope for we can place a smaller order. However the mold cost ($100K) would greatly add to the cost, if amortized over a smaller number of units. So we are also working on a sponsor for the mold work. Production will take 4 months to get units rolling out.
Best regards,
Steve
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mpai
journeyman
Reged: 09/18/08
Posts: 6
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Its barely a month to go for the IYA2009. May we have the status of the Galileo Scope status now?
Manoj
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GJJim
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 907
Loc: Western CO
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I'm not sure I understand why this simple effort would require $100K mold tooling and such. Our astronomy club is building three Galilean refractors from surplus parts for less than $100 total.
The views through these telescopes are dreadful. Educational yes, but let's face it they are just a curiosity.
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Astrosetz
sage
Reged: 10/05/03
Posts: 338
Loc: Wisconsin
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The idea is to make and distribute *hundreds of thousands* of these things and keep the unit price close to $10 US. The optics are pretty good from what I've been told from people who have looked through the prototype.
They are meant to enable people, especially children, to observe what Galileo did. Considering the entire planet Earth, there are huge populations of people who simply don't have access to more capable instruments. Remember this is a world-wide project.
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-Astrosetz
www.astrosetz.com
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GJJim
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 907
Loc: Western CO
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Quote:
They are meant to enable people, especially children, to observe what Galileo did. Considering the entire planet Earth, there are huge populations of people who simply don't have access to more capable instruments. Remember this is a world-wide project.
I applaud you egalitarian sentiment, but do you really think it's wise for an ad hoc organization on a shoestring budget to distribute large quantities of telescopes to children around the world? Who will pay the legal fees for the inevitable lawsuits when unsupervised kids (or dimwit adults) damage their eyes looking at the sun?
Why not make plans available, with careful instructions about what NOT to view, and let interested parties build their own Galilean telescopes?
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Globularnut
member
Reged: 06/30/05
Posts: 79
Loc: Southeastern, WI
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It's my understanding that these are for educational purposes. This means, for example that if my astronomy club gets these, we will work with the people to assemble them and show them how to use these. And of course, part of that is to educate them, not to point the scope at the sun.
I personally think it's a great idea to put these scopes into the hands of people who may not ever get to use one.
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Globularnut
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10" Meade Dob
6" Celestron SPC6 reflector
Star party junkie
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Astrosetz
sage
Reged: 10/05/03
Posts: 338
Loc: Wisconsin
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In addition to what Globularnut said, the telescopes will be bought and paid for by organizations and educators. It's the economy in numbers: these scopes, at $10 to $15 each, will cost a fraction of what your home-brewed scopes cost, even figuring for the tooling. And they will be much more widely available.
Regarding liability, I'm not sure why the Galileoscope would be any different from any other optical device. It will have instructions just like other scopes, including warning against viewing the sun directly.
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-Astrosetz
www.astrosetz.com
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GJJim
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 907
Loc: Western CO
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Quote:
In addition to what Globularnut said, the telescopes will be bought and paid for by organizations and educators. It's the economy in numbers: these scopes, at $10 to $15 each, will cost a fraction of what your home-brewed scopes cost, even figuring for the tooling. And they will be much more widely available.
Regarding liability, I'm not sure why the Galileoscope would be any different from any other optical device. It will have instructions just like other scopes, including warning against viewing the sun directly.
The Galileo telescopes will be sold, OK, I did not know that. The earlier post indicated they would be given away.
Now back to my original question, all the more relevant since the scopes are being sold for money - who will pay the legal fees in the event of a lawsuit? Companies or organizations that offer a product for sale usually purchase product liability insurance. Does this ad hoc project also plan to purchase insurance or is it covered by a general liability policy?
I know this sounds hypothetical and extreme, but believe me it becomes all too real if you've ever been on the receiving end of a lawsuit and faced the legal fees required to contest it.
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Astrosetz
sage
Reged: 10/05/03
Posts: 338
Loc: Wisconsin
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Sombody from UNESCO want to chime in here? I'm kinda thinking they have this covered  but I can't speak for them.
For our part, our Foundation has coverage up to a million dollars per incident for any activity we do.
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-Astrosetz
www.astrosetz.com
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
.....- who will pay the legal fees in the event of a lawsuit? ...
I don’t think all of the details are worked out on this project, but here is the relevant web link: http://tinyurl.com/688qm9
As I see it these scopes will be purchased by organizations holding an IYA 2009 related event, and the scopes will be provided to attendees as either a free item, a purchased item, or as something covered in the fee for attending the event – at the event sponsor’s discretion. It seems that the scopes will need to be assembled, with the idea that the event organizers will lead the new owners thru the assembly steps, and provide other related info on what to observe, how do it, etc. I would be surprised if the scopes were not provided with relevant printed material that would cover the subject of safe solar observing.
Bottom line: I thing you have a good point that these scopes should be accompanied with a written warning about the dangers of unfiltered solar observing. I know that my Obsession 20 has a sticker near the eyepiece warning that the scope should not be pointed at or even near the sun, even though one would assume that the purchaser of a $10,000 telescope would know that already. With such a warning provided I don’t think any lawsuit would get very far particularly since the scope design is supported by NASA, etc.
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George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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aquilla
journeyman
Reged: 09/18/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti, Michiga...
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I saw the initial materials at the AAS/ASP summer meeting. They will have extensive documentation, including warning stickers about not looking at the Sun.
The latest update I have is that they hope to have the order form up on the website by Christmas, and to have the first 'scopes ready to ship "early in the second quarter" of 2009.
The intended target is clubs, museums, schools, etc. The idea is that groups would be able to use them for outreach to teach about optics and telescopes, possibly giving the 'scopes away, or including them in the cost of an event. The 'scope can double as an optical bench for lens experiments too, and the optics are amazing for a $10 'scope. Resale to the public is an option, but not as a profit making venture.
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
I saw the initial materials at the AAS/ASP summer meeting. They will have extensive documentation, including warning stickers about not looking at the Sun.
The latest update I have is that they hope to have the order form up on the website by Christmas, and to have the first 'scopes ready to ship "early in the second quarter" of 2009.
The intended target is clubs, museums, schools, etc. The idea is that groups would be able to use them for outreach to teach about optics and telescopes, possibly giving the 'scopes away, or including them in the cost of an event. The 'scope can double as an optical bench for lens experiments too, and the optics are amazing for a $10 'scope. Resale to the public is an option, but not as a profit making venture.
This is what was said on the recent (Dec 11th) “NASA Night Sky Network” Telcon on IYA 2009:
The latest design uses a glass doublet and I believe they said two eyepieces and a Barlow lens. The scope will include a standard quarter/20 screw mounting plate because the scope will need to go on a tripod. It will have a high power of 80x with included eyepiece & Barlow. They hope to keep the cost at $10, but it could be $15. There will be a lot of documentation that should be printed out to go with the scope. They hope to have 100,000 of these scopes purchased and recommend that clubs consider buying 2 or 3 years’ supply because the larger the initial order the lower the unit price. They had no expected order date, except “soon”.
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George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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SkyscraperJim
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/07
Posts: 537
Loc: Providence, RI
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q[The latest design uses a glass doublet and I believe they said two eyepieces and a Barlow lens. The scope will include a standard quarter/20 screw mounting plate because the scope will need to go on a tripod. It will have a high power of 80x with included eyepiece & Barlow. They hope to keep the cost at $10, but it could be $15.]q
I hate to be negative about these sort of things because I think the Galileoscope project is a great idea, but wouldn't it make more sense (and create a wider public appeal) if the scopes were simple, hand-held 10-30x scopes? If this is to foster worldwide interest in astronomy, I see issues with many parts of the developing world not being able to find a tripod to mount their scopes on, rendering them almost useless. It sounds like it's a recipe for disinterest in the same way that 400x department store scopes don't contribute much to the interest of astronomy.
Just my .02.
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Jim
TMB/APM 130/780 (#185) on G11
TMB/APM/Lomo 80/600
Tele Vue Pronto (#3533) on Half Hitch
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
.....wouldn't it make more sense (and create a wider public appeal) if the scopes were simple, hand-held 10-30x scopes? If this is to foster worldwide interest in astronomy, I see issues with many parts of the developing world not being able to find a tripod to mount their scopes on, rendering them almost useless. .....
Good point. They said that they may have a source for a good 10 buck tripod that could be provided with the scope.
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George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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Astrosetz
sage
Reged: 10/05/03
Posts: 338
Loc: Wisconsin
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I didn't know they were including extra eyepieces and a Barlow -- that seems like a lot to include for a $10-$15 telescope. My understanding was that the telescope was going to include a single eyepiece in the 15x range but be "inch and a quarter compatible" in case someone wants to use other eyepeices with it.
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-Astrosetz
www.astrosetz.com
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richard7
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/02/07
Posts: 1540
Loc: Sacramento
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I don't know if this will clear up anything or not.
A brief interview with the project director.
It does look about like an 1 1/4 EP but what type?
Click on pic 2 for a look at the scope.
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Richard Trost
Orion 130st, Ioptron e/r80
Meade 10x50, Konusvue 20x80, Zhumell Tachiyon 25x100
Coffee thermos and cup
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sarastro
sage
Reged: 08/12/04
Posts: 402
Loc: Seattle
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Quote:
I don't know if this will clear up anything or not.
A brief interview with the project director.
It does look about like an 1 1/4 EP but what type?
Click on pic 2 for a look at the scope.
Thanks for that link.
The eyepiece looks like a Kellner.
I would like to get some of those for my son's cub scout den. Looks like a great project.
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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Hey, just a quick word from a guy *without* a telescope and one who has a young, curious son.
I read in the paper that these would be powerful enough and sharp enough to observe Jupiter's moons. And I saw a sample photo of what the moon would look like through one. I read a couple of Galileo biographies last year and just the thought of experience what he did is quite exciting!
Let me just say that even at $15 each, I'd buy a bunch of them -- a couple for me and my son, and as many more as I could get for cousins, friend gifts, etc.
Sure, they're not the high-powered scope with computer that I covet (and will one day purchase), but they will offer a succulent taste of what's possible -- the same as what my dad's low-power refractor scope offered when I was a kid.
When my son is older, we're going to go to Chabot Space and Science Center near our home town and build a Newtonian reflector (for about $300) as part of a Friday night class they do there. But he's too young for that now, and a small scope will a great introduction. (I have some decent binoculars, but not enough power to see Jupiter's moons, I don't think -- I'll know better when I get my tripod adapter next week.)
So, naysayers, as an astro newbie, all I can say is that I'm jazzed about this project and can't wait till ordering information is available. 
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DblVision
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/11/06
Posts: 623
Loc: 29.99N 92.15W
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Like you, Senortim, we are waiting for word when the scopes will be available. Our kids go to a small school, and a dozen or so scopes could go a long way in the classroom. Scrounging enough cheap tripods from pawn shops will be a greater challenge!
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Neal
G.O. Sig 10.5x70
Swift 761 8X42
60mm Spotter
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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Yeah! Someone should post resources for building ones own tripod!
--Tim
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
Does anyone know the status of the Galileoscope Cornerstone Project? ....
The Galileoscope website (http://www.galileoscope.org/) now sez that ordering will start in mid January. There is also a place to sign up for “contact”. There’s a U’tube video of the moon taken thru a prototype here: http://tinyurl.com/a258e9
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George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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Awesome! Thanks George!
--Tim
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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We discussed this project at our club meeting last night. We are anxiously waiting more details other than "sign up now and we will ship later".
Does anyone know exactly what the objective is? A 40-50mm doublet at f/10 or so would be my guess looking at the photo of the Galileoscope. Number of eyepieces and their focal length? Price? Tripod or not?
I actually belong to 2 astro clubs and both will participate in IYA but it would be great to know more concrete facts about this project before committing any funds.
Thanks,
Terry
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Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
.....
Does anyone know exactly what the objective is? A 40-50mm doublet at f/10 or so would be my guess looking at the photo of the Galileoscope. Number of eyepieces and their focal length? Price? Tripod or not? .....
According to this document (http://tinyurl.com/6u25xt):
"The telescope uses a glass achromat lens with diameter of 51mm with a 500mm focal length for the objective lens. Coupled with an 18mm focal length eyepiece yields a
magnification of 28x. This design gives a nice magnification while preserving a reasonably large field of view. The magnification can be doubled with an optional
Barlow lens. The eyepiece holder will accept any 1.25” eyepiece...... Our telescope kit design is a Keplerian telescope, made with a positive eyepiece lens arrangement. However, in the process of building the Galileoscope, the students can also construct the telescope with a negative lens eyepiece, which is the same design that Galileo pioneered....."
On a NASA Night Sky Network Telcon a few weeks ago they said the cost would be "between $10 & $15 each". The document above says "...plus shipping....".
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George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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aquilla
journeyman
Reged: 09/18/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti, Michiga...
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You can get a quarter/20 threaded screw and washer and put it trough a hole near the top of a sturdy cardboard box for a simple tripod. Place something (like a couple rocks) in the box for stability.
You can now sign up on the website to be notified of updates:
http://galileoscope.org.s24296.gridserver.com/
Edited by aquilla (01/12/09 12:13 PM)
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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It is probably too late now but I think the scope would serve its intended purposes better if it came with two eyepieces. A 25mm kellner eyepiece would give 20x. The brighter image with a wider field would be easier to use hand held. The second ep could be a -17mm double convex lens for 30x and a view more like what Galileo had.
Just my 2 cents.
I like the idea of this project and hope it is wildly successful. And I want a Galileoscope to add to my arsenal.
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Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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Has anyone heard details about the "optional" Barlow eyepiece? I'm wondering 1) whether this is an addition or a replacement for the original eyepiece, 2) whether one will be able to order both eyepieces right away, and 3) how much the Barlow eyepiece will add to the price tag.
A related question is whether the Barlow eyepiece would be the best choice? I know nothing about eyepieces compared to each other (features, benefits, prices, etc.), so if there was another better choice, I'd appreciate knowing about it in advance. I *like* the idea of doubling the power to 56x. But as I'm using my binoculars, I'm quickly beginning to understand other issues, such as eye relief, could be a factor in my newbie quest to see Jupiter, Saturn, and perhaps the Crab Nebula.
I'm also a tad concerned about mounting this thing (but I confess I haven't yet read the entire PDF).
Thanks,
Tim
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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OK, I've just read the whole thing and re mounting, my concern is shake. With my 10x binoculars, there is so much shake that I can't easily see the Crab Nebula in Orion (though I can see its fuzziness). I'm thinking of ways to weight my tripod to reduce this jitter, but it will be way worse at 28x or 56x.
Anyone have thoughts about this?
Thanks!
Tim
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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Do you mean the Orion Nebula, M42? The Crab Nebula, M1, is in nearby Taurus and is not real easy in 10x binoculars unless held steady and viewing from a dark location. But you may be seeing M1 with younger eyes than mine.
A 51mm f/9.8 doublet decently made should be able to handle magnifications up to 56X and higher so your concerns about having a jittery mount are appropriate. A lot depends on the stability of your tripod. A 1/2 gallon jug of water suspended below the tripod spreaders will help quite a bit for stability.
You should plan on buying an eyepiece or 2. Keplerian eyepieces are not very good.
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Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
It is probably too late now but I think the scope would serve its intended purposes better if it came with two eyepieces. A 25mm kellner eyepiece would give 20x. The brighter image with a wider field would be easier to use hand held. The second ep could be a -17mm double convex lens for 30x and a view more like what Galileo had.
On the Night Sky Network telcon a few weeks ago they mentioned that they may be able to include two eyepieces and the Barlow, plus the Galileo negative lens eyepiece, all for the basic price of 10 to 15 dollars, plus shipping. The eyepieces will be the Ramsden or Huygens design. The scope will have a quarter-twenty ‘standard photo tripod’ connector and will take 1.25-inch eyepieces. However, all of the final small details are still up in the air because they have not settled on a maker of the scope.
You have to remember what the goal of this scope is: To introduce people to what Galileo had available 400 years ago when he revolutionized astronomy and the other sciences. The scope will actually be better than Galileo’s, and closer to the scopes of a few years after his time. It will provide a million people with a working astronomical telescope kit (you have to make it) along with a ton of documentation and focused educational programs on the scope, what makes it work, and what Galileo achieved with a similar scope. I don’t think that the Galileoscope is intended to be a replacement for the current ‘beginner scopes’ aimed at people wanting to start in amateur observational astronomy. If 50,000 of those million people go on to learn more about astronomy, science in general, and perhaps the purchase of a scope like a small 4.25” Dob, the project will be well worth the investment in time and money.
Bottom line: Galileoscope is more an educational outreach program than a ‘give everyone a beginner scope’ project.
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George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
.....
A 51mm f/9.8 doublet decently made should be able to handle magnifications up to 56X and higher so your concerns about having a jittery mount are appropriate. A lot depends on the stability of your tripod. A 1/2 gallon jug of water suspended below the tripod spreaders will help quite a bit for stability.
You should plan on buying an eyepiece or 2. Keplerian eyepieces are not very good.
I have a tripod that I bought at NEAF that is made from three crutches with a central top platform with a central quarter-twenty stud and a bubble level. It has a large metal weight at the end of a chain that can be hung from the bottom of the top plate, with the height adjusted by which chain-link is used to put on the hook. When arranged so that some of the weight is supported by the ground, and some by the tripod, it adds considerable stability. The downside is that you have another “thing” (and a heavy one) to carry around. I’m sure that the solution of the support issue will add just another “educational opportunity”. To start with the users could use a beanbag.
There are lots of inexpensive 1.25” eyepieces available new or used that are not too bad. A year ago I bought a used pair of Rini 30mm Plossls for $50 total that I sometimes use in a bino-viewer. While far from perfect they are in fact surprisingly good. However, the ones provided with the Galileo scope will have one advantage: you have to put them together, so you learn about what goes in an eyepiece. If users want to try something better you can get one easily since the Galileoscope uses 1.25” eyepieces. I bet that a diagonal will be a popular optional purchase too.
I don’t see how you can get everything you guys want for ten bucks when you realize that you are also getting a ton of educational materials with the scope too. The Night Sky Network guys said that the true value of this scope would "normally" be around $80, but since they are getting a million of them, the price will be driven down to 10 to 15 dollars. More could be provided for more money, but that would put the scope out-of-reach in third world countries, where most of them are intended to go.
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George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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Thanks for the comments! I hear you that this will not be the perfect telescope forever. I honestly don't think anyone is expecting it to be so. But it's already proving -- for me at least -- to be a great entree into star gazing with more than just my eye. I really appreciate the basic info you all are sharing here! It's a real help.
And yes, I meant the Orion Nebula. Since I've never had a telescope, I've never bothered to know where these small or blurry things are. Even with my binoculars, I'm getting jazzed about knowing that I can see much more within the essential constellations, and photos in books are already making much more sense to me (who is a very visual thinker.)
BTW, I'll make a little plug for http://www.stellarium.org here. Free and quite wonderful, it has helped a lot in my effort to learn the constellations, a few star names, how things move through the night sky, and so on. And my 3.5 year old son loves seeing the planets -- especially zooming in and zooming out. And with the newest version, you can adjust the atmospheric light to compensate for light pollution (which is really bad in the Bay Area where I live -- -3.5 is about the limit for the unaided eye.)
Thanks again!
Tim
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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Yes, Stellarium is fantastic and the price is right! I hardly ever use the Sky software anymore.
Another use for the Galileoscope could easily be as a low cost guide scope. Just insert a high power cross hair ep.
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Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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That's a cool idea. I'm assuming that guide scopes use a 1/4-20 mount? Or would an adapter be necessary? (Fantasizing out of my budget, here. But why not?)
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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Normally a guidescope is mounted in rings. There are adjustment screws to align the guide scope to the main scope for astrophotography.
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Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
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richard7
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/02/07
Posts: 1540
Loc: Sacramento
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Here's The latest I could find.
At $12.50, a little more than they thought but still may be worth it.
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Richard Trost
Orion 130st, Ioptron e/r80
Meade 10x50, Konusvue 20x80, Zhumell Tachiyon 25x100
Coffee thermos and cup
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cajagow
newbie
Reged: 02/27/07
Posts: 2
Loc: Virginia
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I have sent numerous emails to the POCs at the international sites and the USA sites concerning this cornerstone project. Many clubs wish to use this as a "cornerstone" of their IYA events and time is wasting away. It is already FEBRUARY, the scope is not even at the ORDERING stage yet, the 100 hours of Astronomy is in APRIL the clock is TICKING if any of them are ready these boards!
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
I have sent numerous emails to the POCs at the international sites and the USA sites concerning this cornerstone project. Many clubs wish to use this as a "cornerstone" of their IYA events and time is wasting away. It is already FEBRUARY, the scope is not even at the ORDERING stage yet, the 100 hours of Astronomy is in APRIL the clock is TICKING if any of them are ready these boards!
Well Galileoscope is a separate “Cornerstone Project” from “100 hours”. I agree that time is running away, but my guess has always been that these scopes are something you should expect to start using in the fall of 2009.
--------------------
George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
......
At $12.50, a little more than they thought but still may be worth it.
Well they really always said “between $10 and $15”, not the often quoted $10, so maybe the author of the article is just “estimating” $12.50?
--------------------
George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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Someone in this thread suggested that the Racine company had not been finalized. Does anyone know for sure? $15 would be a fine price in my opinion. I'd pay $50 if the hype and the reality are in close proximity. (Although, if they were $50, I wouldn't buy them for my nieces and nephews.) 
BTW, OT, we're going to Chabot for my son's birthday. He'll love it and I will, too. Very psyched.
--Tim
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tcs
member
Reged: 02/06/09
Posts: 13
Loc: racine wi
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The Racine company is finalized.
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richard7
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/02/07
Posts: 1540
Loc: Sacramento
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More inticement .
And a Quote.
"The Galileoscope debuted at the opening of the IYA in Paris a few weeks ago, but it will be available for orders starting this week".
THIS WEEK!
 
--------------------
Richard Trost
Orion 130st, Ioptron e/r80
Meade 10x50, Konusvue 20x80, Zhumell Tachiyon 25x100
Coffee thermos and cup
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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Awesome! Making my list now...
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PiperKev
super member
Reged: 12/19/06
Posts: 161
Loc: Grafton, OH
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Ordering went live tonight!! I've got my order in!!
Cheers,
Kevin
--------------------
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic
Sears 4-6333 60mm f/15 refractor
50mm f/10 "Galileoscope" refractor w/Daisy Electronic Point Sight finder
TeleVue Plossls: 32mm, 11mm
Orion Sirius Plossls: 25mm, 20mm, 10mm
Astro-Tech Paradigm 15mm
Celestron Ultima 2x barlow
Orion LaserMate Deluxe + Meade 126 2x barlow
Telrad
|
hinode
member
Reged: 02/18/09
Posts: 14
Loc: Cambridge, MA (USA)
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I also ordered one: the Galileoscope comes at 15.00 $ plus 8.95 $ S/H (at least for shipping to Massachusetts). The shipping fee is a bit steep, but if I like it I will buy some more for my friends.
Technical specs from the website:
50 mm diameter f/10, one 20 mm ocular, one Barlow lens 2x, 1 1/4 barrel.
No tripod included in the kit.
Ciao,
Paolo
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sarastro
sage
Reged: 08/12/04
Posts: 402
Loc: Seattle
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Looks like the site is down, is it galileoscope.org or am I looking at the wrong site?
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sarastro
sage
Reged: 08/12/04
Posts: 402
Loc: Seattle
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Site is up.
Got my order in. This will make a great project for me and my son.
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tcs
member
Reged: 02/06/09
Posts: 13
Loc: racine wi
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Hi All,
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richard7
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/02/07
Posts: 1540
Loc: Sacramento
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FYI.
https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/
Just ordered.
--------------------
Richard Trost
Orion 130st, Ioptron e/r80
Meade 10x50, Konusvue 20x80, Zhumell Tachiyon 25x100
Coffee thermos and cup
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tcs
member
Reged: 02/06/09
Posts: 13
Loc: racine wi
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The site is up and running. Lets pass the word and see how many of these bad boys we can get out there. This is a nice scope at a great price and it will really help the cause if we can spread the word in any way possible. The budget is tight and we would like to get thousands of less fortunate kids around the world these scopes. And the only way to get that done is buy spreading the word. (and I know it's *BLEEP* times) Thank y'all very much Tom Smith
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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Yippee! Got my order in. Excited to get it, put it together, and give it a whirl.
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PiperKev
super member
Reged: 12/19/06
Posts: 161
Loc: Grafton, OH
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I think we broke it again...
--------------------
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic
Sears 4-6333 60mm f/15 refractor
50mm f/10 "Galileoscope" refractor w/Daisy Electronic Point Sight finder
TeleVue Plossls: 32mm, 11mm
Orion Sirius Plossls: 25mm, 20mm, 10mm
Astro-Tech Paradigm 15mm
Celestron Ultima 2x barlow
Orion LaserMate Deluxe + Meade 126 2x barlow
Telrad
|
randtek
Under the radar
Reged: 06/18/05
Posts: 1075
Loc: Central Indiana
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Anyone know if there is a break on the $8.95 shipping charge if you buy more than one?
--------------------
Randy
Gravity: It's not just a good idea, its the law!
¡ʎɐqǝ uo pɹɐoqʎǝʞ ɐ ʎnq ı ǝɯıʇ ʇsɐן ǝɥʇ sı sıɥʇ 
SkyQuest XT10
Homebuilt Surplus Shed 102mm f8.8 refractor
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tsk
newbie
Reged: 10/03/08
Posts: 2
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Quote:
Anyone know if there is a break on the $8.95 shipping charge if you buy more than one?
There appears to be. I read the price varies based on location (I'm in Wisconsin so I probably get the cheapest rate, but Indiana should be about the same). I ordered 6 of them and my shipping was $28.50.
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randtek
Under the radar
Reged: 06/18/05
Posts: 1075
Loc: Central Indiana
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Thanks tsk. And let me be the first to welcome you to Cloudy Nights. You have found the best astronomy resource on the internet. Come back often, and feel free to ask lots of questions. You will rarely be able to stump this group! 
--------------------
Randy
Gravity: It's not just a good idea, its the law!
¡ʎɐqǝ uo pɹɐoqʎǝʞ ɐ ʎnq ı ǝɯıʇ ʇsɐן ǝɥʇ sı sıɥʇ
SkyQuest XT10
Homebuilt Surplus Shed 102mm f8.8 refractor
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richard7
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/02/07
Posts: 1540
Loc: Sacramento
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Quote:
Anyone know if there is a break on the $8.95 shipping charge if you buy more than one?
From what I remember there is, at 100.
So, order a lot.
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Richard Trost
Orion 130st, Ioptron e/r80
Meade 10x50, Konusvue 20x80, Zhumell Tachiyon 25x100
Coffee thermos and cup
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BSJ
member
Reged: 12/22/08
Posts: 94
Loc: Grand Isle, VT
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I ordered one, donated one.
Order 914. Which I assume means less than 1000 orders have been placed...
--------------------
Brian S. Johnson
________________
Zhumell Z10D, Orion ST80
8-24mm Hyperion Zoom
8mm, 17mm, 21mm Baader Hyperion 14mm & 28mm Fine Tune Rings
OPT OIII, Baader Fringe killer, Baader Moon & Sky Glow
Nikon 10x50 Action Extreme
StarDust Observing Chair
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hinode
member
Reged: 02/18/09
Posts: 14
Loc: Cambridge, MA (USA)
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Quote:
I ordered one, donated one.
Order 914. Which I assume means less than 1000 orders have been placed...
Which, in 2 or 3 days that the site has been open without a lot of advertisement, seems a respectable number...
Ciao,
Paolo
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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Yeah, I ordered Friday and was just shy of order 400, so that's something like 350 to 400 orders per day. Pretty good! And I'm guessing that most of us have ordered more than one scope. I'd be curious to know how many of these early orders are the big, institutional ones.
--Tim
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dmdouglass
super member
Reged: 12/23/07
Posts: 144
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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I recall signing up for an "email alert" on the web page, for when they would be available. The only "alert" I got was here... And I am thankful for that. Got my order for 5 of those guys in as order (about) 98.
--------------------
David M. Douglass
Tempe, Arizona
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erick
member
Reged: 11/21/07
Posts: 77
Loc: Bacchus Marsh, Australia
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Has any one else from outside North America calculated the shipping cost. To Australia we are being quoted, for each scope, pretty well the price of the scope for shipping. That plus current exchange rate turns a US$15 scope into an almost A$50 scope. Too much, sadly. A$25-30 we could cope with.
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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I didn't get an alert either (yet). So thanks to all of you here for giving me the heads up!
Edited by senortim (02/24/09 01:21 AM)
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PiperKev
super member
Reged: 12/19/06
Posts: 161
Loc: Grafton, OH
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Same here, I signed up for the alert, but got nada. I only found out that they were available to order by going to the web page. I was order #70!! ;-D
Cheers,
Kevin
--------------------
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic
Sears 4-6333 60mm f/15 refractor
50mm f/10 "Galileoscope" refractor w/Daisy Electronic Point Sight finder
TeleVue Plossls: 32mm, 11mm
Orion Sirius Plossls: 25mm, 20mm, 10mm
Astro-Tech Paradigm 15mm
Celestron Ultima 2x barlow
Orion LaserMate Deluxe + Meade 126 2x barlow
Telrad
|
senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
|
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I'll bet we are all the beta testers for their ordering system and that we'll get announcements of availability in a week or two. (Who knows, maybe we'll all buy more!)
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vliegnerd
member
Reged: 01/26/09
Posts: 16
Loc: Gouda, NL
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Quote:
Has any one else from outside North America calculated the shipping cost.
To Europe/NL shipping is $19.
I bought two scopes for $50. Thanks to the favorable exchange rate, the scopes are still affordable even with shipping.
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richard7
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/02/07
Posts: 1540
Loc: Sacramento
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More info on production and shipping.
--------------------
Richard Trost
Orion 130st, Ioptron e/r80
Meade 10x50, Konusvue 20x80, Zhumell Tachiyon 25x100
Coffee thermos and cup
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daniel_h
sage
Reged: 03/08/08
Posts: 482
Loc: VIC, Australia
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The shipping is costly, but most things are costly fromUS to australia - will probablybuy a couple -one for the kids, another to keep as a momento
--------------------
regal 10x42, 10x50ultras, 15x70 ultras, 20x80
Oly e-500, vixen 100/1000 with 0.965"/1.25",
2 old sturdy tripods for the bins (slik & velbon)
zeiss f5.6 refractor/lens (under construction)
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erick
member
Reged: 11/21/07
Posts: 77
Loc: Bacchus Marsh, Australia
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Quote:
The shipping is costly, but most things are costly fromUS to australia - will probablybuy a couple -one for the kids, another to keep as a momento
I reckon it is being shipped from China!
OK, I'll weaken and buy two. 
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richard7
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/02/07
Posts: 1540
Loc: Sacramento
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The scopes are being assembled in Racine Wisc. USA.
Little doubt the optics come from China though.
--------------------
Richard Trost
Orion 130st, Ioptron e/r80
Meade 10x50, Konusvue 20x80, Zhumell Tachiyon 25x100
Coffee thermos and cup
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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So? China can make optics as good as one is willing to pay for. Cheap and decent or a little more for even better stuff.
--------------------
Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
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erick
member
Reged: 11/21/07
Posts: 77
Loc: Bacchus Marsh, Australia
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Quote:
The scopes are being assembled in Racine Wisc. USA.
Little doubt the optics come from China though.
Thanks for the advice, Richard. OK, I've ordered two.
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George N
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/19/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Binghamton & Indian Lake NY
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Quote:
So? China can make optics as good as one is willing to pay for. Cheap and decent or a little more for even better stuff.
Didn’t Galileo steal the idea of the telescope from the Chinese?
No, wait…… I’m confusing telescopes with the fact that the Italians stole spaghetti from the Chinese….. 
--------------------
George N
Obsession 20
Optical Guidance Systems 10" F/9 R-C Cass
6" F/5 & 8" F/8 home-made Newts
MI-250 mount
SBIG STL-1301E CCD
Member, International Dark-Sky Association
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aquilla
journeyman
Reged: 09/18/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti, Michiga...
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In case you haven't seen it, they are now taking orders and expect to start shipping in late April.
Order online at https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/
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Trick
journeyman
Reged: 01/08/09
Posts: 65
Loc: Australia
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I have just ordered two one for a keepsake and one for the family who refer to me as the geek but constantly interupt my viewing sessions.Now they can fill their boots. 
--------------------
Meade 4500
Long Perng 72mm F/6 (Hybrid Equinox/Megrez)
Vixen SP
Mead LPI
35MM EOS Film
EOS 1000D
Lat = 35 degrees, 27.4 minutes South
Long = 149 degrees, 5.1 minutes East
Edited by Trick (03/21/09 03:23 AM)
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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I tried to order 100 units ths week but could not figure out to complete the transaction. This was after filling in all the required shipping and CC info and anything else asked. My e-mail about this is still unanswered. Is there a button or icon hidden somewhere?
--------------------
Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
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PiperKev
super member
Reged: 12/19/06
Posts: 161
Loc: Grafton, OH
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Crud! I just this email from the Galileoscope team:
URGENT MESSAGE CONCERNING YOUR FEBRUARY 2009 GALILEOSCOPE ORDER
Dear Customer,
Last month you were among the first to place an order for one or more Galileoscopes at www.galileoscope.org. Thank you! Unfortunately, your order can not be processed. A glitch in our credit-card authorization system entered your order into our fulfillment system without actually charging your credit card.
Because we don’t store credit-card numbers on our website, you’ll have to place your order again. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. The good news is that Galileoscopes remain on schedule to begin shipping to customers in late April, so the one-month delay in processing your order (assuming that you do indeed place your order again) shouldn’t cause any delays in delivery...
Blech. My original order number was 70. My new order number is 11093. :-( I hope I get it before I leave for Oklahoma in May...
Cheers,
Kevin
--------------------
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic
Sears 4-6333 60mm f/15 refractor
50mm f/10 "Galileoscope" refractor w/Daisy Electronic Point Sight finder
TeleVue Plossls: 32mm, 11mm
Orion Sirius Plossls: 25mm, 20mm, 10mm
Astro-Tech Paradigm 15mm
Celestron Ultima 2x barlow
Orion LaserMate Deluxe + Meade 126 2x barlow
Telrad
|
mischief
super member
Reged: 04/26/08
Posts: 146
Loc: Northern California
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I've been wondering about my Galileoscope status? I ordered 3, I think, last month. Unfortunately I didn't write the order #. down. They said I would receive an email. I never have received any kind of acknowledgement. I checked my credit card bill and they had charged it. I have found nothing on the web site in ways to get in touch, other than an email address (I wrote, no answer) and a telephone number which results in having to leave a voice mail msg; I called that and have received no answer. I am a little worried about paying my money and getting nothing in return. I'll try again to get in touch.
Dorothy 
--------------------
Lunt 60T H alpha B600
Orion StarBlast
Vixen VMC 110
AT Voyager
Orion TeleTrack GoTo alt/az mount
Orion Binoviewers
Canon 10x30 IS binoculars
Celestron "FirstScope" (3" aperture) mini-Dob in honor of IYA 2009 ( just got it) only weighs 4 lbs.
Galileoscope 2" refractor similar to one that Galileo used (ordered and coming)
Astro-Tech AT80LE
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Trick
journeyman
Reged: 01/08/09
Posts: 65
Loc: Australia
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11093, geez they must have had a run on them my order is 9728 and that was four days ago. Thats 341 orders a day. 
--------------------
Meade 4500
Long Perng 72mm F/6 (Hybrid Equinox/Megrez)
Vixen SP
Mead LPI
35MM EOS Film
EOS 1000D
Lat = 35 degrees, 27.4 minutes South
Long = 149 degrees, 5.1 minutes East
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richard7
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/02/07
Posts: 1540
Loc: Sacramento
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Just received a notice via e-mail.
ORDERS ARE NOW BEING TAKEN FOR THE GALILEOSCOPE
Earlier this year you visited www.galileoscope.org and asked to be
contacted when more information about the Galileoscope becomes
available. That time has come!
We are now taking orders for delivery beginning in late April. If
you’ve already ordered one or more Galileoscopes, thank you! If not,
read on!
This came after I ordered it.
They're is more about the scope including this.
Accompanying the kit are educational materials based on active
inquiry, cooperative learning, testing of ideas and predictions, and
hands-on experimentation. You can download these free activity guides,
and order small numbers of Galileoscopes with payment by credit card
or PayPal, at www.galileoscope.org.
Looks like not much longer.
--------------------
Richard Trost
Orion 130st, Ioptron e/r80
Meade 10x50, Konusvue 20x80, Zhumell Tachiyon 25x100
Coffee thermos and cup
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hale_bopp
journeyman
Reged: 03/11/09
Posts: 7
Loc: Tucson, Arizona
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Rick Feinberg of the Galileoscope team just sent an email blast today which answers some of the questions posted here. The email is also on the Galileoscope web site.
Mischief, there was a glitch where some people did not get email confirmation. They are going through and tracking them down by hand and resending them. You will probably get one when they find it.
Starstuff1, to order in bulk, fill out a request for quote form on the web site and fax it in.
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mischief
super member
Reged: 04/26/08
Posts: 146
Loc: Northern California
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Thanks hale_bopp, I received the email blast. I also replied with another request for email confirmation just in case they didn't get my other requests. I am glad they sent the email blast; it did clear up a lot of questions.
Off thread, I see you live in Tucson. I used to live in Phoenix, but unfortunately I wasn't interested in astronomy then so couldn't take advantage of all the cool things there are to do in Arizona.
If you are ever interested in solar astronomy, Lunt Solar Systems is located in Tucson; they are producing solar telescopes so you might be interested in visiting them. I think they are ok with visitors.
Dorothy  
--------------------
Lunt 60T H alpha B600
Orion StarBlast
Vixen VMC 110
AT Voyager
Orion TeleTrack GoTo alt/az mount
Orion Binoviewers
Canon 10x30 IS binoculars
Celestron "FirstScope" (3" aperture) mini-Dob in honor of IYA 2009 ( just got it) only weighs 4 lbs.
Galileoscope 2" refractor similar to one that Galileo used (ordered and coming)
Astro-Tech AT80LE
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hale_bopp
journeyman
Reged: 03/11/09
Posts: 7
Loc: Tucson, Arizona
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I just wanted to post a quick note that Derrick Pitts of the Franklin Institute is going to be the guest on the Colbert Report tonight. The Franklin Institute is having special exhibition of one of Galileo's telescopes opening April 4th in the middle of 100 Hours of Astronomy.
They also may talk about the Galieleoscope...I know Derrick has it because I shipped it to him last week
Tune in tonight...I will post video of the interview when it is available.
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mischief
super member
Reged: 04/26/08
Posts: 146
Loc: Northern California
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Concerning Galileoscope status:
I wrote an email to Rick at Galileoscope and received a very nice reply stating that my invoice had been mailed again and sure enough it appeared (in my spam folder so I had to rescue it).
I had mentioned the Celestron "First Scope", a mini-Dob with 77 mm aperture that Celestron is selling for $49.95. Rick said it seemed to be a good deal. If anyone is interested, there are ads in "Astronomy" and "Sky and Telescope". It looked like a good beginners' scope, I think it is similar to the Galileoscope but comes with a mini-Dob mount.
Unfortunately I missed the Colbert report; a video will be nice.
Dorothy
--------------------
Lunt 60T H alpha B600
Orion StarBlast
Vixen VMC 110
AT Voyager
Orion TeleTrack GoTo alt/az mount
Orion Binoviewers
Canon 10x30 IS binoculars
Celestron "FirstScope" (3" aperture) mini-Dob in honor of IYA 2009 ( just got it) only weighs 4 lbs.
Galileoscope 2" refractor similar to one that Galileo used (ordered and coming)
Astro-Tech AT80LE
|
hale_bopp
journeyman
Reged: 03/11/09
Posts: 7
Loc: Tucson, Arizona
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Derrick Pitts talked about the Galileo exhibition at the Franklin Institute and was a great guest. Unfortunately, he did not get to show off the Galileoscope. I still recommend watching his appearance at Colbertnation.com.
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Cronus
member
Reged: 03/16/09
Posts: 71
|
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Post deleted by Cronus
--------------------
Refractors: 50mm, 66mm, 80mm, 102mm
Reflectors: 114mm, 203mm, 254mm
Binoculars: 10x30, 2.3x40
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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The site finally accepted my order for 100 units just now.
Curious,, has ANYONE received notice when their order will be shipped.
--------------------
Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
|
dmdouglass
super member
Reged: 12/23/07
Posts: 144
Loc: Tempe, AZ
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There has been (I think...) two emails, both of which referenced a late April "begin to ship date", with orders being shipped in the order of which they were received (see your order number in confirmation).
--------------------
David M. Douglass
Tempe, Arizona
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Cronus
member
Reged: 03/16/09
Posts: 71
|
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Production begins this week according to Rick Fienberg.
--------------------
Refractors: 50mm, 66mm, 80mm, 102mm
Reflectors: 114mm, 203mm, 254mm
Binoculars: 10x30, 2.3x40
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PiperKev
super member
Reged: 12/19/06
Posts: 161
Loc: Grafton, OH
|
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Quote:
Production begins this week according to Rick Fienberg.
I thought they were already in production?????
--------------------
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic
Sears 4-6333 60mm f/15 refractor
50mm f/10 "Galileoscope" refractor w/Daisy Electronic Point Sight finder
TeleVue Plossls: 32mm, 11mm
Orion Sirius Plossls: 25mm, 20mm, 10mm
Astro-Tech Paradigm 15mm
Celestron Ultima 2x barlow
Orion LaserMate Deluxe + Meade 126 2x barlow
Telrad
|
-=BB=-
only get better
Reged: 07/25/08
Posts: 34
Loc: Connecticut, US
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Will this be a one time event/production run? Or will the Galileoscopes be available in the future as well?
--------------------
~Bruce
"It is at is because it wants, once and for all, to be as it is." - Arthur Schopenhauer, 1788-1860
I have: a 6" Dob, an 80ED Apo, a homemade 70mm refractor, a pair of 10x50 binos and some other stuff.
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Cronus
member
Reged: 03/16/09
Posts: 71
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Quote:
Quote:
Production begins this week according to Rick Fienberg.
I thought they were already in production?????
I saw Rick's prototype. There weren't any production scopes as of last week.
--------------------
Refractors: 50mm, 66mm, 80mm, 102mm
Reflectors: 114mm, 203mm, 254mm
Binoculars: 10x30, 2.3x40
|
PiperKev
super member
Reged: 12/19/06
Posts: 161
Loc: Grafton, OH
|
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Ah. Understand.
--------------------
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic
Sears 4-6333 60mm f/15 refractor
50mm f/10 "Galileoscope" refractor w/Daisy Electronic Point Sight finder
TeleVue Plossls: 32mm, 11mm
Orion Sirius Plossls: 25mm, 20mm, 10mm
Astro-Tech Paradigm 15mm
Celestron Ultima 2x barlow
Orion LaserMate Deluxe + Meade 126 2x barlow
Telrad
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Kim Miau
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/17/06
Posts: 1177
Loc: Australian National University
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Is there any update? It seems like they're overwhelemed by the quotation requests. Mine was submitted 2 weeks before but not replied yet.
--------------------
-Robin Lee
QHY CCD
My Astronomy Blog - http://www.astronomynotes.net
Meade 8" LX90 + LPI + QHY5 + Denk's Power x Switch S2 Diagonal
More equipments @ here
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PiperKev
super member
Reged: 12/19/06
Posts: 161
Loc: Grafton, OH
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From the Galileoscope website:
April 23, 2009
We are pleased to report that after two years of development and many months of tooling, testing, and fine-tuning, the Galileoscope is now in production! Here's a photo of one of the first complete kits manufactured:
Delivery Begins in Mid-June
At this point, we just have to wait for the initial manufacturing run of 60,000 units to be produced, packaged, loaded on a ship, and transported to our distribution nodes around the world. Our best estimate of when Galileoscopes will begin arriving in customers' hands is mid-June.
What Happened to "Late April"?
All along we've been saying, "Galileoscopes will start shipping in late April 2009." We're missing that target by only a few weeks — Galileoscopes will leave the factory in mid-May. Once the kits leave the factory, it will take about a month before they arrive at our distribution nodes, clear customs, and move along into the local postal/parcel system in each country. Because orders are being filled on a first-come, first-served basis, you should figure that if you ordered in February you should receive your Galileoscope(s) toward the end of June, and if you ordered in March or April, you should receive your Galileoscope(s) no earlier than in July. We'll issue delivery updates as we get more information from our distributor.
To everyone who has placed an order, whether for 1 kit or 1,000, the Galileoscope team offers a heartfelt "THANK YOU" — for your order, your support, and your patience!
For the Galileoscope team,
Dr. Rick Fienberg
Chair, IYA2009 Galileoscope Task Group
Dr. Stephen Pompea
Project Director, IYA2009 U.S. National Node
Chair, U.S. Telescope Kits & Optics Challenges Working Group
Dr. Doug Arion
President, Galileoscope LLC
So, it may be taking a bit longer, but it looks like they're becoming closer to reality!
Cheers,
Kevin
--------------------
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic
Sears 4-6333 60mm f/15 refractor
50mm f/10 "Galileoscope" refractor w/Daisy Electronic Point Sight finder
TeleVue Plossls: 32mm, 11mm
Orion Sirius Plossls: 25mm, 20mm, 10mm
Astro-Tech Paradigm 15mm
Celestron Ultima 2x barlow
Orion LaserMate Deluxe + Meade 126 2x barlow
Telrad
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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Hmmmm, my credit card charged the same day as ordered and delivery not expected until at least two months later at the earliest. No guarantee delivery will occur during IYA.
--------------------
Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
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senortim
member
Reged: 12/27/08
Posts: 21
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I, for one, am being very patient. Remember, this is not a commercial venture. The start up capital for production was (to my knowledge) provided in large part by us early purchasers. I'd love to have the telescopes in ordered in my hands, but I'm proud to have been a small part in helping make this happen.
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Elias_Jordan
member
Reged: 12/26/08
Posts: 74
Loc: Derby, Kansas
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To bad! I was hoping to give a few of these amazing scopes out at our astronomy Day celebration! Well, I hope we at least get them before the IYA is over. And I hope I get mine before I move!
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newbir1970
member
Reged: 05/05/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Hudson Valley, NY
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I for one don't plan on canceling my order, but if they don't come across soon some people are going to get upset.
--------------------
Looking for the stars!
Mike C.
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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I was kinda holding back more comments but has ANYONE received their order? There was a big chunk taken out of my credit card over a month ago.
--------------------
Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
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StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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Apologies. I just went back and read the older messages here and saw that they probably won't be in customer's hands until at least June.
And to "Hale Bopp", I sent an e-mail in to Rick Fienberg back in late February about a large order. He replied to that e-mail. FWIW, when I finally did get the order to go through I did not have to "fill out a 'request for quote form' and fax it in".
--------------------
Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
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daniel_h
sage
Reged: 03/08/08
Posts: 482
Loc: VIC, Australia
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Star stuff - i was wondering as well when the post out would start
--------------------
regal 10x42, 10x50ultras, 15x70 ultras, 20x80
Oly e-500, vixen 100/1000 with 0.965"/1.25",
2 old sturdy tripods for the bins (slik & velbon)
zeiss f5.6 refractor/lens (under construction)
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medieval1
super member
Reged: 12/18/08
Posts: 160
Loc: Colorado Springs
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...and it's only May. wahhhh... Ok...I can wait...won't be long now...
It'll be like Christmas in June (or July).
--------------------
Jim West
Meade LX200-ACF 8"
Coronado P.S.T
Canon 40D (unmodified)
Meade DSI Pro II w/color filters
Galileoscope
astro.jameswest.com
Lifetime member of Colorado Springs Astronomical Society
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newbir1970
member
Reged: 05/05/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Hudson Valley, NY
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They said they expected the people who placed the first orders should receive them the end of June. 
--------------------
Looking for the stars!
Mike C.
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medieval1
super member
Reged: 12/18/08
Posts: 160
Loc: Colorado Springs
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I placed two orders about a month apart. I'm curious to see the difference in receipt of these orders.
So, only about a month away from initial ship. Lets hope that things are still on track.
--------------------
Jim West
Meade LX200-ACF 8"
Coronado P.S.T
Canon 40D (unmodified)
Meade DSI Pro II w/color filters
Galileoscope
astro.jameswest.com
Lifetime member of Colorado Springs Astronomical Society
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Sarkikos
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/18/07
Posts: 1036
Loc: Suburban Maryland
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I intended to give the little scope to my eight-year-old daughter or maybe use it as a finder. It would be good in any case to have her "help" me build it: a nice learning experience. If I could rig it up on one of my smaller mounts or a camera tripod, she would have fun looking at the moon, M42, star clusters and such. I hope they are shipped soon.
Mike
--------------------
Celestron 10" f5 Newt on 1stBase (DSO)
Zhumell 8" f6 Newt, Bosma 6" f12 MCT (NSO)
6" f5 Newt, 130ST, 4.5" f4.4 Ball w/GLP, ST80 w/Crayford (RFTs)
C4-R (NSO/DS)
90mm f13 MCT (Luna/DS)
SkyMaster 25x100, 15x70
Zhumell 20x80
Barska XWA 10x50, 8x40
OptiView LPR 10x50
Const View 2.3x40
BV-125C
CG5, 2 drv / CG4, 2 drv, wood legs, ScopeStuff saddle / CG3, 1 drv
SV AZ / 501HDV on Bogen 055XB / P+ on Oberwerk
QuikFinder, Telrad
Orion Dynamo Pro 12, Dew-Not
Have GLP and not afraid to use it!
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amirber
member
Reged: 04/16/07
Posts: 76
Loc: Be'er Sheva - Israel
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As of ~ an hour ago it is June is Israel, I'm anxiously awaiting my galileoscope!
--------------------
Amir Bernat
Ilan Ramon astronomy center
Ber Gurion University of the Neggev
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medieval1
super member
Reged: 12/18/08
Posts: 160
Loc: Colorado Springs
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Here's the response I received last week to my inquiry:
====================
Yes, we are still on track for shipping in June!
Thanks for your interest in the Galileoscope. Clear skies!
Rick Fienberg
Galileoscope, LLC
--------------------
Jim West
Meade LX200-ACF 8"
Coronado P.S.T
Canon 40D (unmodified)
Meade DSI Pro II w/color filters
Galileoscope
astro.jameswest.com
Lifetime member of Colorado Springs Astronomical Society
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medieval1
super member
Reged: 12/18/08
Posts: 160
Loc: Colorado Springs
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Well...we are hopefully close (10 days?) away from mid June and thus shipping will begin !!
My daughter is getting excited...and so am I.
--------------------
Jim West
Meade LX200-ACF 8"
Coronado P.S.T
Canon 40D (unmodified)
Meade DSI Pro II w/color filters
Galileoscope
astro.jameswest.com
Lifetime member of Colorado Springs Astronomical Society
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newbir1970
member
Reged: 05/05/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Hudson Valley, NY
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I've been keeping an eye on their web site but so far I have not seen any updates beyond the 4/23/09 announcement saying customers should start receiving them in mid-June.
--------------------
Looking for the stars!
Mike C.
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Elias_Jordan
member
Reged: 12/26/08
Posts: 74
Loc: Derby, Kansas
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Galileoscope: Shipments of a high-tech, low-cost telescope, modeled after the instrument used by Galileo Galilei 400 years ago, are making their way from China to the United States and other destinations by boat. About 60,000 telescope kits have been sold in advance, at a retail price of $15 (less for bulk quantities). Buyers should be receiving the kits by the end of July. The next steps include figuring out how many more telescopes should be made before the production line is shut down (get your orders in now!) ... and also setting up a contest for Galileoscope imagery. The idea is to solicit photos of celestial objects taken through the telescope, as well as drawings based on Galileoscope observations (a la Galileo, as shown above). Contest rules and submission procedures will be on the Galileoscope Web site when they're ready for release. The first round of winners should be announced by the end of the year.
Edited by Elias_Jordan (06/09/09 10:05 PM)
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newbir1970
member
Reged: 05/05/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Hudson Valley, NY
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Where did you see that. I check the Galileoscope website daily and I haven't seen that.
--------------------
Looking for the stars!
Mike C.
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Elias_Jordan
member
Reged: 12/26/08
Posts: 74
Loc: Derby, Kansas
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I was preparing some blog posts to be featured on PTTU (Portal to the Universe) and this was one of our main features. Here is a link to the original article: http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/06/09/1957260.aspx
It was posted on the Cosmic Log by MSNBC. They reported this from the AAS meeting in Pasedena, CA. They were able to talk to the main heads of the project.
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tcs
member
Reged: 02/06/09
Posts: 13
Loc: racine wi
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Shipping started on May 21st and we continue to ship container loads every few days. They are on the water for about 20 days or so. Norway and Denmark units will land June 18th and 19th to the port. USA Galileoscopes will land June 21th and June 23rd (then to local carriers to your door). And other shipments will be landing around the world within the same time frame. We will keep shipping until around the end of June at that time all orders will be completed. We are still in the need of a large donation to keep production going and to allow us to give scopes to less fortunate areas so any help would be appreciated. Great job thus far by Rick Fienberg, Stephen Pompea and Doug Arion. Hope we can reach our goal of helping children that would other wise never have the chance to look to the sky.
Tom Smith,
Merit Models Inc.
Racine Wi.
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medieval1
super member
Reged: 12/18/08
Posts: 160
Loc: Colorado Springs
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July ?!?!?! It really is gonna be Christmas in July !!
 
--------------------
Jim West
Meade LX200-ACF 8"
Coronado P.S.T
Canon 40D (unmodified)
Meade DSI Pro II w/color filters
Galileoscope
astro.jameswest.com
Lifetime member of Colorado Springs Astronomical Society
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newbir1970
member
Reged: 05/05/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Hudson Valley, NY
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I wonder if we will be provided any kind of tracking information once they reach the local carrier. 
--------------------
Looking for the stars!
Mike C.
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Mike K
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 626
Loc: Central Texas
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Tom,
Thanks for the specific status information. I think the Galileoscope concept is fantastic! How is the "Give Some - Get Some" program going?
I ordered some (and donated some) when planning an observing event for some children a while back with the intention of giving them away to the kids. Of course, that event has come and gone, but there will always be other opportunities. Anyway, I figured they are inexpensive enough to do so, and intended to keep a few on hand for that purpose. But, it sounds like production may stop by the time we receive our first orders and have a chance to see what the quality is like. Would hate to risk ordering a bunch more sight unseen.
I'm curious, once the IYA production run is complete, what are the chances of one of the large telescope manufacturers purchasing the design and continuing to produce a similar item at a similar price-point?
--------------------
Clear skies,
Mike K.
30°31" N 97°44" W, LP: Red
Observe: Once or twice a week back yard, once a month under dark skies
Favorites: Globulars, planets, face-on spirals
Equipment: CPC925/XT10i/TMB-92SS/Lunt LS60THaDS
Eyepieces: Naglers, Ethos, UO HDs, Hyperion Zoom
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tcs
member
Reged: 02/06/09
Posts: 13
Loc: racine wi
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Hi Mike,
Give some get some is going ok. Our goal was to send out 1 million scopes and we are at only about 6 percent of our goal so we are a long way away.
Once you get your scope let me know your thoughts. It is an amazing unit for the price. And a great learning tool. Sorry we missed your event.
As far as the future after IYA 2009 we shall see........
tom
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newbir1970
member
Reged: 05/05/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Hudson Valley, NY
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Tom~
Are we going to be provided any kind of tracking info once they reach the local carrier?
--------------------
Looking for the stars!
Mike C.
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ixeru
member
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 18
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Hi everybody! First, sorry for my english, I am spanish and my english is not good. I am waiting for 4 Galileoscopes, and I think you are waiting for it too. Anybody has received the scope?
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medieval1
super member
Reged: 12/18/08
Posts: 160
Loc: Colorado Springs
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Hi ixeru,
Sounds like end of July before we should start getting them into our hands.
I notice too that the GS Website has not been updated in quite some time.
--------------------
Jim West
Meade LX200-ACF 8"
Coronado P.S.T
Canon 40D (unmodified)
Meade DSI Pro II w/color filters
Galileoscope
astro.jameswest.com
Lifetime member of Colorado Springs Astronomical Society
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ixeru
member
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 18
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End of July?? My god.. Well, I'll keep the hope that the telescopes start getting before, my friends could kill me! Thanks for the answer medieval, i will waiting for news. And sorry for my english.
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tcs
member
Reged: 02/06/09
Posts: 13
Loc: racine wi
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Hi Mike,
Actually I am not sure on tracking info. once I get it on the ship another firm is handling it from there, wish I could have given you a better answer.
tom
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newbir1970
member
Reged: 05/05/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Hudson Valley, NY
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Tom~
Fair enough.
--------------------
Looking for the stars!
Mike C.
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Ron B
super member
Reged: 05/21/08
Posts: 115
Loc: Florida
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Quote:
End of July?? My god.. Well, I'll keep the hope that the telescopes start getting before, my friends could kill me! Thanks for the answer medieval, i will waiting for news. And sorry for my english.
I know how you feel; I work for a Parks and Recreation Department and ordered a dozen from the Parks and Recreation budget for outreach. My supervisor has been asking me when they are going to arrive!
Ron
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erick
member
Reged: 11/21/07
Posts: 77
Loc: Bacchus Marsh, Australia
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Quote:
Our goal was to send out 1 million scopes and we are at only about 6 percent of our goal so we are a long way away.
Sadly, the cost of shipping to Australia "killed it" for individuals here. I have only two coming. I haven't heard of any suppliers or clubs arranging bulk orders.
Edited by erick (06/21/09 06:50 PM)
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PiperKev
super member
Reged: 12/19/06
Posts: 161
Loc: Grafton, OH
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Does anyone know if a standard 50mm lens cap (like one that's used for camera lenses) will fit the Galileoscope? I'll probably just leave mine assembled, and I want to protect the objective lens while it's stored.
Thanks,
Kevin
--------------------
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic
Sears 4-6333 60mm f/15 refractor
50mm f/10 "Galileoscope" refractor w/Daisy Electronic Point Sight finder
TeleVue Plossls: 32mm, 11mm
Orion Sirius Plossls: 25mm, 20mm, 10mm
Astro-Tech Paradigm 15mm
Celestron Ultima 2x barlow
Orion LaserMate Deluxe + Meade 126 2x barlow
Telrad
|
StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
|
|
Have you actually received your order or are you just planning ahead?
--------------------
Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
|
PiperKev
super member
Reged: 12/19/06
Posts: 161
Loc: Grafton, OH
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Just planning ahead. I'm pretty sure that nobody has received their scope yet...
--------------------
Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic
Sears 4-6333 60mm f/15 refractor
50mm f/10 "Galileoscope" refractor w/Daisy Electronic Point Sight finder
TeleVue Plossls: 32mm, 11mm
Orion Sirius Plossls: 25mm, 20mm, 10mm
Astro-Tech Paradigm 15mm
Celestron Ultima 2x barlow
Orion LaserMate Deluxe + Meade 126 2x barlow
Telrad
|
StarStuff1
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 967
Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line
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That was what I thought, too.
If the kit does not come with a lens cap you might get lucky with a plastic margarin tub or lid. Another option, much more heavy duty, is to use a PVC pipe end cap. Drill and tap a hole for a nylon set screw and you are set.
--------------------
Tools that make objects very far away appear much closer than they actually are.
|
GregAlt
member
Reged: 06/23/09
Posts: 30
Loc: Seattle, WA, USA
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Quote:
Norway and Denmark units will land June 18th and 19th to the port. USA Galileoscopes will land June 21th and June 23rd (then to local carriers to your door).
So somebody in Norway or Denmark probably has one in their hands now?
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UpNorthLibrarian
sage
Reged: 04/18/05
Posts: 415
Loc: 44.30N / 83.53W
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Ordered 5 in February for a library program (that was held in April). Still waiting to get them so I can give them out....
--------------------
'True observation begins when one is devoid of set patterns'
Li Jun Fan
203mm DBA Certified Dob
AT-80mm Refractor w/Vixen Icarus D Alt/Az Mount
10x30 Canon IS Binos
9x60 Obies
8x42 Obies
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ixeru
member
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 18
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Hi again! A question: is this information "
Norway and Denmark units will land June 18th and 19th to the port. USA Galileoscopes will land June 21th and June 23rd (then to local carriers to your door)" official?
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Mike K
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 626
Loc: Central Texas
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Ixeru,
Scroll up in this thread and you will see that this information was posted by (tcs) Tom Smith, of Merit Models.
If you go to the galileoscope.org home page and click on About Us at the top, you will see him listed as one of the key players in the project:
Quote:
Mr. Thomas C. Smith: Tom is an injection-molding and prototyping specialist and Project Manager at Merit Models, a tooling, prototyping, and manufacturing company in Racine, Wisconsin. Tom has extensive experience in the manufacture and global distribution of large-volume items, including optical components and plastic and metal parts. In addition to playing a crucial role in Galileoscope design and production, he has arranged its warehousing and distribution.
I would take his comments as "official".
--------------------
Clear skies,
Mike K.
30°31" N 97°44" W, LP: Red
Observe: Once or twice a week back yard, once a month under dark skies
Favorites: Globulars, planets, face-on spirals
Equipment: CPC925/XT10i/TMB-92SS/Lunt LS60THaDS
Eyepieces: Naglers, Ethos, UO HDs, Hyperion Zoom
|
newbir1970
member
Reged: 05/05/09
Posts: 25
Loc: Hudson Valley, NY
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As today is June 23rd, the USA ones are in port supposedly. However it seems to me that they still need to clear customs before they can be turned over to the local carrier.
--------------------
Looking for the stars!
Mike C.
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ixeru
member
Reged: 06/15/09
Posts: 18
|
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