"I love my Galileo Scope. It’s awesome. It’s always out with me. When the mist gets bad the Galileo is handy."
-Harold Locke
The Original Galileoscope, Developed by Leading Astronomers, Optical Designers, and Educators
"I am surprised that my Galileoscope has become my working scope. Yet, I am reminded of what we often hear in the amateur astronomy community - The best telescope is the one you use most." - David O. Treviño, Cloudy Nights
School Children use the Galileoscope in Flagstaff, Arizona Photo: Stephen M. Pompea, NOAO
Created as a cornerstone project for the 2009 International Year of Astronomy (IYA), the Galileoscope telescope kit solved a long-standing problem: the lack of a high-quality, low-cost kit suitable for both optics education and celestial observation. The Galileoscope was also a cornerstone project of the 2015 International Year of Light (IYL).
Over the course of the project managed by volunteers and promoted mainly through word-of-mouth, more than a quarter-million Galileoscope kits have been distributed to teachers, students, and other enthusiasts in more than 110 countries for science education and public outreach.
The program was only expected to last through the IYA, but the global astronomy education and outreach community loved the kit and asked its creators (Stephen M. Pompea, Richard Tresch Fienberg, Douglas N. Arion, Thomas C. Smith, and Douglas Isbell) to keep it in production, and after nearly ten years of serving the educational STEM community that team was preparing to wind down.
But the demand by the educational community has remained strong, and a search ensued to find a worthy successor of the Galileoscope. Explore Scientific was approached in late 2018 to take over manufacturing and distribution, and we both felt the project was a good fit for Explore Scientific.
Now we can ensure that educators and students around the world can continue the legacy of unlocking the learning process of exploring the universe with telescopes that people assemble themselves with the original Galileoscope Kit!
Limited Warranty is one year, which converts to the Explore STAR Transferable Extended Life of the Product Warranty when product is registered within 60 days of purchase. Click Here to register.
CA Residents: Prop 65 WARNING(S)
Shipping is FREE on all orders to customers within the United States. We don't want to mess around with fine print and extra charges, we like things to be simple and easy.
Want to know about our Returns Policy? Read more here.
Order Confirmation:
As soon as you place your order you will receive an order confirmation
e-mail. This means that we have received your order in our system and
pre-authorized your credit card for the purchase.
As soon as we receive your order we automatically check to confirm that
your order is in stock and available for immediate shipment. If your item
is on back-order or unavailable we will void the pre-authorization and
reach out to you via e-mail to see if alternate arrangements can be
made.
If your item(s) are available for immediate shipment (within 5 business
days) we will process the charges and get to work preparing your
order for shipment.
Order Shipment:
If your order is in stock and we process the charges to your credit card it
will ship within three business days from the date of your order.
We will send you shipping confirmation within 24 hours of your order
leaving the warehouse to the e-mail address you provided when
checking out.
If you do not receive shipping confirmation from us within four business
days of your order feel free to follow up with us at info@stargazeroptics.com.
International Orders:
Please be aware that our products are made specifically for the United States market. This means that they require a 110V
electrical system to function correctly.
Our products have generally not been certified for use with other
countries electrical safety standards but all of our products are certified
to United States standards.
We will happily ship our fantastic products to international customers.
Due to the extremely wide variety of product dimensions we will provide
an up to date shipping price quote for you on request.
If you are happy with our shipping quote we will prepare an order and
payment though our ultra secure online payment gateway.
Damages:
Please inspect the packaging of your item(s) when they arrive, if you
notice any damage you should make note of it when signing for delivery
or do not agree to accept the delivery.
If you do accept delivery you are required to immediately take photos
using your smart phone or camera of the damaged packaging or
products inside the packaging.
If your item(s) do arrived damaged please send photos to info@stargazeroptics.com, then visit our Returns page and lodge your return claim online.
While we fully stand by every product that we sell, we understand that
sometimes you might change your mind or realize the product you
ordered wasn't exactly what you were hoping for.
That's why we offer a 30 Day Return Policy.
If you decide you want to return an item for any reason within 30 days
after receipt of your order, please email us at info@stargazeroptics.com with your order number and we will provide detailed instructions on how to
process the return.
Return shipping costs will be covered by Stargazer Optics.
Once your return item(s) have been received and inspected at our
warehouse(s), we will send you an email notification that we have
processed your return payment.
*Please note: In order to receive a refund for the item(s) ordered, the
item(s) must arrive back to our distribution center in "Like New" condition
and must contain all original packaging and accessories.
"Like New" means that the items you ordered must not show any visual
signs of wear. Opened products will be accepted, as long as the above criteria are met.
If items are returned with visual signs of wear, or have any issues due to
use will not be accepted and no refund will be given.
If you decide you want to return your order, please email us at info@stargazeroptics.com with your order number and we will assist you. We want to make this as simple of a process as possible for you.
Damages
If the product is damaged, you must make note of it immediately when
signing for delivery and send photos to info@stargazeroptics.com the day of delivery.
Stargazer Optics will pay for shipping defective, damaged, or
incorrect merchandise at our cost.
Remember to keep all the original packaging for any items that need to
be returned. All returns need to be authorized by our customer service
department prior to being processed.
We will ensure you get the product you ordered, undamaged, as soon
as possible. Items that become damaged after use are non-refundable
unless specified under warranty.
Cancellations
If you would like to cancel an order, please email or call our customer
service team immediately.
Cancellations received before shipment will receive a full refund.
Orders canceled after items have shipped will follow our 30 Day Return
policy.
Other Return Policy Notes:
If a certain vendor or product does not support the return policy stated
above, this will be noted in the product descriptions or in the product-
specific return information.
Products that are specified as certified pre-owned or used are ineligible
for a return
Stargazer Optics only sells to purchasers who intend to use the
item(s) for the duration of its economic life. Orders purchased for the
specific purpose of a "one time use or temporary use" are not eligible for
return under any circumstances. This includes but is not limited to;
orders intended for use in a trade show or a conference venue, orders
that are purchased by promotional companies, and orders that are
purchased by trade show facilitators.
For more information on Shipping & Returns see our FAQ page.
"I love my Galileo Scope. It’s awesome. It’s always out with me. When the mist gets bad the Galileo is handy."
-Harold Locke
The Original Galileoscope, Developed by Leading Astronomers, Optical Designers, and Educators
"I am surprised that my Galileoscope has become my working scope. Yet, I am reminded of what we often hear in the amateur astronomy community - The best telescope is the one you use most." - David O. Treviño, Cloudy Nights
School Children use the Galileoscope in Flagstaff, Arizona Photo: Stephen M. Pompea, NOAO
Created as a cornerstone project for the 2009 International Year of Astronomy (IYA), the Galileoscope telescope kit solved a long-standing problem: the lack of a high-quality, low-cost kit suitable for both optics education and celestial observation. The Galileoscope was also a cornerstone project of the 2015 International Year of Light (IYL).
Over the course of the project managed by volunteers and promoted mainly through word-of-mouth, more than a quarter-million Galileoscope kits have been distributed to teachers, students, and other enthusiasts in more than 110 countries for science education and public outreach.
The program was only expected to last through the IYA, but the global astronomy education and outreach community loved the kit and asked its creators (Stephen M. Pompea, Richard Tresch Fienberg, Douglas N. Arion, Thomas C. Smith, and Douglas Isbell) to keep it in production, and after nearly ten years of serving the educational STEM community that team was preparing to wind down.
But the demand by the educational community has remained strong, and a search ensued to find a worthy successor of the Galileoscope. Explore Scientific was approached in late 2018 to take over manufacturing and distribution, and we both felt the project was a good fit for Explore Scientific.
Now we can ensure that educators and students around the world can continue the legacy of unlocking the learning process of exploring the universe with telescopes that people assemble themselves with the original Galileoscope Kit!
Limited Warranty is one year, which converts to the Explore STAR Transferable Extended Life of the Product Warranty when product is registered within 60 days of purchase. Click Here to register.
CA Residents: Prop 65 WARNING(S)
Shipping is FREE on all orders to customers within the United States. We don't want to mess around with fine print and extra charges, we like things to be simple and easy.
Want to know about our Returns Policy? Read more here.
Order Confirmation:
As soon as you place your order you will receive an order confirmation
e-mail. This means that we have received your order in our system and
pre-authorized your credit card for the purchase.
As soon as we receive your order we automatically check to confirm that
your order is in stock and available for immediate shipment. If your item
is on back-order or unavailable we will void the pre-authorization and
reach out to you via e-mail to see if alternate arrangements can be
made.
If your item(s) are available for immediate shipment (within 5 business
days) we will process the charges and get to work preparing your
order for shipment.
Order Shipment:
If your order is in stock and we process the charges to your credit card it
will ship within three business days from the date of your order.
We will send you shipping confirmation within 24 hours of your order
leaving the warehouse to the e-mail address you provided when
checking out.
If you do not receive shipping confirmation from us within four business
days of your order feel free to follow up with us at info@stargazeroptics.com.
International Orders:
Please be aware that our products are made specifically for the United States market. This means that they require a 110V
electrical system to function correctly.
Our products have generally not been certified for use with other
countries electrical safety standards but all of our products are certified
to United States standards.
We will happily ship our fantastic products to international customers.
Due to the extremely wide variety of product dimensions we will provide
an up to date shipping price quote for you on request.
If you are happy with our shipping quote we will prepare an order and
payment though our ultra secure online payment gateway.
Damages:
Please inspect the packaging of your item(s) when they arrive, if you
notice any damage you should make note of it when signing for delivery
or do not agree to accept the delivery.
If you do accept delivery you are required to immediately take photos
using your smart phone or camera of the damaged packaging or
products inside the packaging.
If your item(s) do arrived damaged please send photos to info@stargazeroptics.com, then visit our Returns page and lodge your return claim online.
While we fully stand by every product that we sell, we understand that
sometimes you might change your mind or realize the product you
ordered wasn't exactly what you were hoping for.
That's why we offer a 30 Day Return Policy.
If you decide you want to return an item for any reason within 30 days
after receipt of your order, please email us at info@stargazeroptics.com with your order number and we will provide detailed instructions on how to
process the return.
Return shipping costs will be covered by Stargazer Optics.
Once your return item(s) have been received and inspected at our
warehouse(s), we will send you an email notification that we have
processed your return payment.
*Please note: In order to receive a refund for the item(s) ordered, the
item(s) must arrive back to our distribution center in "Like New" condition
and must contain all original packaging and accessories.
"Like New" means that the items you ordered must not show any visual
signs of wear. Opened products will be accepted, as long as the above criteria are met.
If items are returned with visual signs of wear, or have any issues due to
use will not be accepted and no refund will be given.
If you decide you want to return your order, please email us at info@stargazeroptics.com with your order number and we will assist you. We want to make this as simple of a process as possible for you.
Damages
If the product is damaged, you must make note of it immediately when
signing for delivery and send photos to info@stargazeroptics.com the day of delivery.
Stargazer Optics will pay for shipping defective, damaged, or
incorrect merchandise at our cost.
Remember to keep all the original packaging for any items that need to
be returned. All returns need to be authorized by our customer service
department prior to being processed.
We will ensure you get the product you ordered, undamaged, as soon
as possible. Items that become damaged after use are non-refundable
unless specified under warranty.
Cancellations
If you would like to cancel an order, please email or call our customer
service team immediately.
Cancellations received before shipment will receive a full refund.
Orders canceled after items have shipped will follow our 30 Day Return
policy.
Other Return Policy Notes:
If a certain vendor or product does not support the return policy stated
above, this will be noted in the product descriptions or in the product-
specific return information.
Products that are specified as certified pre-owned or used are ineligible
for a return
Stargazer Optics only sells to purchasers who intend to use the
item(s) for the duration of its economic life. Orders purchased for the
specific purpose of a "one time use or temporary use" are not eligible for
return under any circumstances. This includes but is not limited to;
orders intended for use in a trade show or a conference venue, orders
that are purchased by promotional companies, and orders that are
purchased by trade show facilitators.
For more information on Shipping & Returns see our FAQ page.
