So let's see, to what could we compare using a 22" scope as a teaching scope.
It would be kind of like teaching:
a teenager to drive using a forumla one racer, instead of a Corolla;
a little leaguer to bat with a 40"/32oz bat instead of a 30"/18oz;
a cub scout to hike with a 3200 cu. in. full pack before ever wearing a day pack;
a kid to play Mozart before every learning how to play chop sticks;
I don't know, I just don't see how big is better. I'd rather have everyone go away after a night out and realize what they could see with a small piece of equipment that
they could afford to purchase,
let their kid take out back on their own,
is not so big that they get scared off from the hobby.
I would want them to be exposed to the simple realities of beginning astronomy, that they wouldn't go away and be disappointed because it might be half a liftime before they could ever afford to see the sky as they just did through a 22" scope and anything they might get after that would be a big disappointment.
At every session I hold, everyone is blown away by the views, ever thru the 3", 5" and 6" scopes. Many poeple go away from the night with the realization that here is something they could afford to do with their kids and they have seen and used equipment that is realistic to purchase to do it and have a lot of fun.
I'd be inclined to think using a 22" scope as a teaching scope would chase more people away from astronomy as a hobby than it might encourage to take it up as something they could realistically approach and do on their own!
edz
-------------------- Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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