If your knowledge of astronomy begins and ends with finding the Big Dipper, but you want to spur your child on to greater heights, never fear. This 80 mm-telescope is easy to put together. The instruction manual explains how to use each feature of the telescope to get your child up close and personal with the universe. The 9-mm and 25-mm eyepieces allows for a birds-eye view of more than 10,000 celestial objects including planets, stars, galaxies and nebulae. It also includes a red dot viewfinder, diagonal mirror, and adjustable aluminum tripod. This is a learning opportunity that's out of this world. (Meade, $199.95)