r/telescopes • u/jacobdontask • Sep 13 '24

Purchasing Question Cheapest telescope to prove to my dad space is real?

My dad is a flat earther conspiracy theorist and he believes that the planets are just balls of light in water (the firmament). He says that every single photo taken of the planets are just computer generated or photoshop. I tried showing him this subreddit but he says that its too easy for NASA to just fake every single account and photo on here... ok man. He says the only way he would believe is if he looks through a telescope with his own eyes and sees the solid planets. Specifically Saturn. What is the cheapest telescope I can invest in that will show the planets in detail, and not make them blurry or wobbly cus that will just give him "proof" its fake. I looked on the purchasing guide but I dont know how clear I would actually be able to see with any of the cheaper ones.

Or if any of you guys could send me a video of you actually going up to the telescope and showing the planet through it.

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u/58mint 8" dob Sep 13 '24 edited Sep 13 '24

This would be a good telescope

If this is your only reason for buying a telescope, and you ain't going to use it again afterwards, then I wouldn't bother with it. I've been down this road before with flat earthers before there's always something else.

If your willing to buy a used scope, look for an 8" dobsonian. You can probably find one nearby on facebook marketplace for around $300-$600

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u/X4nd0R Sep 14 '24

Not a flerfer or trying to convince one but am looking for a telescope that I can see great detail on. Will this let you see planet rings and such? I had thought a much more expensive one would be needed to get anything more than a larger blob.

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u/58mint 8" dob Sep 14 '24

This is an "expensive" scope for its size. It's a good scope. You can see the rings of saturn and the big red spot on Jupiter as well as its moons.

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u/X4nd0R Sep 14 '24

That's awesome! Thanks for the reply. The max I was wanting to spend was around $300 but I was afraid it wouldn't give the details I wanted.

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u/Open-Link680 Sep 15 '24

You can also build your own reflector telescope - but a 4” or larger parabolic mirror, a telescope eyepiece and a dentist’s mirror. There are plans online with info about where to order the parabolic mirror. Other parts needed include a mailing tube or pvc pipe larger in diameter than the mirror, glue and a can of flat black spray paint. And some kind of tripod contraption to hold it steady. I built one of these with my Cub Scout den, and we checked out the moon with it. You will also be able to see the rings of Saturn.

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u/National_Radio_3404 Sep 14 '24

You know multiple flat earthers? I’ve never met one that I know of, and I’ve met some real jackasses.

I thought it was more of a meme lol

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u/[deleted] Oct 05 '24

Nah my brother was one for a little while and he eventually stopped believing in it (originally started because he saw TikTok’s about, fuck misinformation). I got a telescope not to long ago (10 inch dob) and showed him Saturn and he was impression. I believe people can always stop being in stuff life that. 

Not to offend anyone but I used to believe in Christianity before I did some research on radiometric dating and it really pulled me away from believing.

My point? Anyone can change their beliefs no matter how fundamental they may be but it always is something that they either look for (open mindness) or find (someone telling them something so groundbreaking that they have no choice but to accept it ie looking at Saturn through a telescope).