Discover the universe the way Galileo did—with a hands-on telescope-building experience that inspires learning and exploration. The Galileoscope Refractor Telescope STEM Kit offers a powerful combination of educational value and observational capability in a compact, accessible format. Originally created as a signature project for the 2009 International Year of Astronomy, this 50mm refractor telescope kit has become a globally respected tool for introducing students and enthusiasts to astronomy and optical science. The kit includes all parts and instructions needed to build a functional telescope, with no tools or adhesives required. In just minutes, users can assemble a high-quality instrument capable of revealing craters on the Moon, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons, and star clusters. With a 25x eyepiece and a modular accessory that can be configured as either a 2x Barlow lens (for 50x magnification) or a 17x Galilean eyepiece (for upright views with a narrower field), this telescope gives users the chance to recreate the views of Galileo himself and understand the optics behind them. In addition to its optical performance, the Galileoscope is a powerful STEM teaching tool. It offers students the opportunity to learn how lenses work, how magnification changes the field of view, and how scientific observation starts with hands-on curiosity. Whether used in classrooms, science fairs, or backyard stargazing sessions, the Galileoscope is a proven way to engage learners and encourage a lifelong interest in space and science. Now manufactured and distributed by Explore Scientific, the Galileoscope continues its mission to make astronomy accessible and educational for the next generation of explorers.
