Make a Telescope Like Galileo!
Hello Young Explorer!
Galileo Galilei made one of the first telescopes over 400 years ago and used it to look at the Moon, planets, and stars. You can build your very own version using simple materials. Ready to explore the night sky just like Galileo?
What You Will Need:
2 cardboard tubes (paper towel rolls work great!)
1 small magnifying glass (about 1 inch wide)
1 large magnifying glass (about 2 to 3 inches wide)
Tape (clear or masking)
Scissors
Ruler
Markers or stickers (optional for decoration)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Build the Tube: Take one cardboard tube and hold it in front of your eye. This is your eyepiece tube.
Add the Small Lens: Tape the small magnifying glass securely over one end of the eyepiece tube.
Create the Big Lens Tube: Tape the large magnifying glass over one end of the second tube.
Put the Tubes Together: Slide the eyepiece tube inside the big lens tube. Wrap paper around the small tube if needed to fit.
Focus Your Telescope: Point it at a distant object. Slide the tubes in and out until the image becomes clear. Try it with the Moon at night!
What to Look For:
Craters on the Moon
Bright planets like Jupiter and Venus
Stars and constellations in the night sky
Galileo Fun Fact!
Galileo's telescope was only 3 feet long, but it changed how we see the universe! He discovered moons around Jupiter and saw Venus had phases like the Moon.
Safety Tip:
Never look at the Sun with your telescope or with your eyes. It can damage your vision permanently.
Decorate Your Telescope!
Use markers, stickers, or paint to decorate the outside of your telescope. Give it a cool name like 'Sky Explorer' or 'The Star Seeker'.
