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Turn Left At Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope - and How to Find Them?
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>Idk what else you can see up there buy yeh.
Do your self a huge favor and get the telescope bible: Turn Left at Orion.
There a book called turn left at Orion.
Turn Left At Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope - and How to Find Them https://www.amazon.com/dp/1108457568/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_J9840655BC4VD7NBZW2W
Also learn the stars by using Stellarium Web
Use free phone app like Celestron Sky Portal and Stellarium web on your pc to learn the sky. A recommended book is also “Turn Left At Orion” Turn Left At Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope - and How to Find Them (Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope – and How to Find Them) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1108457568/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_W6MQ5NHQ8WRNCBV8E61Y
You’re welcome mate. We’ve all been where you are. A copy of Turn Left At Orion is a good place to start.
The best telescope is what you can afford obviously. So don’t sit on it too long!!
Highly recommend you pick up Turn Left at Orion, it runs through the different types of telescopes, various concepts you need to know, as well as a monthly sky guide for observing targets.
That's great! You should take a look at the book Turn Left at Orion , it goes through how to find the stars and Messier objects without the fancy telescopes that do all the finding for you. It's a really great book that you could go through together.
Look up any local amateur astronomy clubs, see when they have public outreach events. We love when new people show up with new gear and are interested in learning.
Also, a book I see recommended a bunch, and have purchased myself is Turn Left at Orion . Objects seen visually through a telescope won’t look the same as pictures you see online of different objects such as those posted in r/astrophotography. However, the book gives you a detailed description of how to find objects, the difficulty of finding them through different kind of instruments and a sketch of what it looks like. Even though you won’t see an object in all the glory of color as you do in pictures there’s still is immense joy in seeing those faint fuzzy objects visually through equipment.
Get "Turn Left at Orion" first.
https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundreds-Telescope/dp/1108457568
It will help you make sense of what is where and what is possible to see.
It has examples of "realistic" things you'd expect to see through binoculars or a telescope.
The book Turn Left at Orion
First thing might be to consider what it is about astronomy that interests you the most. For example, steering towards a career in research astronomy is very different to just wanting to be a hobby backyard stargazer; and being a backyard stargazer is very different to being an amateur astrophotographer.
If it's the stargazing aspect you're most interested in, a small Newtonian reflector telescope and a copy of the book <em>Turn Left At Orion</em> is a great place to start.
Some people like this scope, but IMHO, this isn't a telescope I'd recommend: you pay too much for too little telescope and too much for mediocre electronic and mechanical mount components. If it's not too late, my first recommendation would be to return it and purchase an 8" Dob.
BUT, if you're not able or willing to do that, and this is the scope you have, then that's that.
My next recommendation is to join an astronomy club in your area. There most likely is one, and it's the BEST place to learn more about how to use your telescope and what to see. Membership in most clubs in the US costs $50 or less per year. If you let us know where you're located, I can try looking up clubs that are local to you.
Now, as for add-ons and other accessories... the first thing I'd recommend is a copy of Turn Left at Orion. It's a great introduction to using a telescope, and very user friendly.
Next, camera mounts: none. There's plenty available, but this isn't really a telescope designed for or good for astrophotography. You could possibly capture some decent images of the moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. But that's about it. This telescope has an alt-az mount, which is not anywhere near accurate enough for the long-exposure photography required for deep sky objects (nebulae, galaxies, clusters, etc...). If you're limited to 4 targets, then it seems a bit of a waste to me to buy an adapter. Also, using a DSLR would not be recommended, as the mount isn't designed to add a lot of additional weight to the back end, and it will likely decrease the tracking accuracy, and, depending on the weight of the camera and adapting components, could potentially damage the mount's components (unlikely, but possible). Since these mounts aren't well-constructed anyway, I wouldn't recommend this. If you really badly want to try imaging planets or the moon, I'd pick up a cheap webcam and modify it (there's plenty of tutorials online for this) to use with the telescope. There's also some low-cost planetary imaging cams (basically glorified webcams) on the market. They would be a better choice than trying to connect a DSLR.
For eyepieces... that's a bit more tricky. You get a couple lower-end 25 mm and 9 mm plossl eyepieces. Plossl is a type of eyepiece design that is fairly common these days. They tend to provide pretty decent views, depending on the specific design, for a fairly affordable price. To determine your magnification, you take the telescope's focal length (1,500 mm in your case) and divide it by that of the eyepiece. For your eyepieces, this gives you a magnification of 60x with the 25 mm eyepiece and 167x with the 9mm.
Magnification is a funny thing, however. You can, in theory, magnify an image as much as you like. However, the telescope can only produce so much useful magnification, depending on a number of factors. The key factors are the telescope aperture, the steadiness of the air, and the transparency of the air. When light enters the telescope, it begins to diffract, which manifests itself in blurring of the image. At lower magnifications, it is far less noticeable than at higher magnifications, and the larger the aperture, the more you can magnify before the diffraction creates so much blurring as to be useless. I created this example to show what happens. While this is photographic, and has a slightly different cause, the overall effect is similar. As you continue to magnify, you lose sharpness of detail until the image becomes so blurry as to be useless. In the case of your telescope, under fairly good atmospheric conditions, you might get as high as about 250x magnification before blurring is too severe. Under normal conditions, however, 150x is a more reasonable limit (the rule of thumb is to multiple the aperture in inches by 30x for normal viewing and 50 or 60x for ideal atmospheric conditions).
Thus a higher magnification eyepiece probably won't do much for you except on very good nights, in which case a 6 mm eyepiece would really be pushing your limits. On the other hand, with the 25 mm eyepiece, you don't have a very wide field of view, so you might consider something like a 30 mm, maybe a 35 mm, eyepiece to get a wider field of view (though the 35 might be too long for this scope to use effectively).
Whatever you do, do NOT buy one of those inexpensive eyepiece kits that have 3 or more eyepieces and filters. The eyepieces are usually very low in quality and you really don't need all of them. You can buy separate filter kits for less, and a Barlow lens will not be particularly useful at all to you.
This telescope will be best for planetary observation. A set of basic filters might be useful. With planetary observation, these help to increase contrast to pull out specific details. This site and this one have some pretty good information concerning which filters are best for what. For lunar observation, a neutral density filter (aka moon filter) is also helpful to cut down the brightness and glare of the moon (essentially it's sunglasses for your telescope). For deep sky objects, colored filters are not desirable, though there are some filters that do help with observing particular types of objects. In particular "nebula" filters, which are combinations of narrowband filters to allow common wavelengths of light specific to different kinds of nebula emissions to pass through. An OIII (Doubly-ionized Oxygen) filter can also be helpful for certain nebulae. I wouldn't rush out to buy one right away, however, until you get a bit more experience. This is another good reason to join an astronomy club: going to star parties will give you a chance to talk to other people about what they use and see how filters can help you.
Another filter you might come across is what we call a Light Pollution Reduction (LPR) filter. These are a mixed bag, and more of a personal choice. They do not make viewing from a light-polluted area like viewing from a dark site. They do, however, for some objects, help increase contrast to make them more visible. This is another place I'd experiment before buying.
If you're interested in solar viewing, you do have some options, but proceed with caution. You can get a white-light solar filter (or make one yourself) for simple solar viewing. These will only show you the disc of the sun, sunspots, and, every few years, a transit of Mercury (the next transit of Venus isn't for another 100 years or so). These will not show you the solar granulation (the texture of the sun), nor solar flares/prominences. For those, you would need a dedicated solar Hydrogen Alpha kit (which is NOT the same as an Hydrogen Alpha filter for deep-sky observing). The white light filters can be made for under $30 and purchased for around $100 or less. The Hydrogen Alpha solar equipment would be several hundred dollars for your telescope. Whatever you do, do NOT use an eyepiece filter for solar observation. Some companies have produced these (I don't know if anyone still is), but they are NOT a safe option.
Ok, lastly, you asked about software. There's not much you'd need. One option is Stellarium. I believe Stellarium has drivers for Celestron telescopes, so you only need the cable connection equipment (sold separately, of course) from Celestron. However, I don't see much need for this. The hand control on your mount is just fine for finding objects, assuming you're properly aligned. A good phone or tablet app for determining what's above you right now would be helpful, but you don't need a computer connection unless you're doing imaging, and, as I said above, that's not highly recommended.
In the long run, I'd still recommend an 8" Dob instead - the 8" aperture is capable of showing you quite a bit more and doesn't require power (nor is there much to break down). But if you intend to keep this scope, you can make the most of it.
Good luck and clear skies.
Hi :-)
> i should know
Consider getting a copy of "Turn left at Orion" - The missing manual for any telescope :-)
> fit
Any 1.25" eyepiece will fit, but they aren't all good. Avoid sets (overpriced, mediocre, redundant, overrated).
The kit eyepieces will get you started for wide-field, deep-sky. You could later replace them with a 32mm Plössl-type 52° ($14-$25) for a bit more overview under dark skies, and the 9mm 66° or 68° type ($20-$35) gold-line to replace the second kit eyepiece. As well as the 6mm and 9mm to fill the gaps perhaps. But it's easy to over-invest. Use what you have for now.
(° afov = Apparent field of view)
Planetary eyepiece and limits
The telescope has a focal-length of 450mm (Some sites list it as 465, some as 456mm even, but that's relatively close).
The resulting aperture ratio is around f/4 (=450/114). This results in a few issues regarding contrast (large obstruction, coma, performance in cheap wide-angle eyepieces): You should not push magnification, even if some sites state 228x magnification or more. The image will get dim, dull, blurry. This is why the 130mm table tops with F/5 aperture ratio are usually recommended around here.
Cheap barlows further reduce contrast.
AVOID: Short cheap eyepieces, like older Plössl have poor eye-relief. The cheap 4mm 62° eyepieces sold everywhere are pretty bad, too.
Eyepiece recommendation for planets
The HR Planetary clones, 58° apparent field of view, are decent budget eyepieces with fairly long eye-relief, large eye lens, acceptable performance for a budget F/4 telescope.
They cost $20 sometimes, $30-$50 regularly. Depending on where you buy (e.g. Amazon, Amazon Marketplace via China, Aliexpress, eBay, AgenaAstro...).
The shorter available focal-lengths are:
4mm eyepiece: 112.5x
3.2mm eyepiece: 140.6x
2.5mm eyepiece: 180x
The 2.5mm is going to push the limits of this telescope and you don't gain anything for planets. The 4mm would be on the safe side.
Other cheap eyepieces are the 66° and 68° type, but they are only available down to 6mm (450/6=75x, just enough to recognize planetary detail, but still small.).
No great deal on the 3.2mm atm... Sometimes you can find them for $20 or so. Only for the 2.5mm, but I won't recommend that.
> I should know
Especially in a f/4 telescope system, collimation (alignment of the mirrors) is important to get the best contrast. This can be rather daunting when starting out, but it's not all as complicated as some guides make it seem.
No tools https://garyseronik.com/no-tools-telescope-collimation/
Guide https://garyseronik.com/a-beginners-guide-to-collimation/
Different tools https://garyseronik.com/collimation-tools-what-you-need-what-you-dont/
Cheshire-sight tube or collimation cap will do, https://www.amazon.com/Astromania-Collimating-Newtonian-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B01DEW8VLA/
Clear skies! :-)
No.
You should get a good book and a good pair of binoculars.
https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundreds-Telescope/dp/1108457568/
https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-71346-Outland-Binoculars-Black/dp/B004KM82IQ
​
Meantime, save your money so you can buy a quality telescope while you master the sky and the art of observing.
If it turns out you don't like astronomy as much as you think you do... binoculars are good for many things not just astronomy.
The best $$ I spent after buying my first telescope: 1: the book Turn Left at Orion. Just awesome goodness. https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundreds-Telescope/dp/1108457568/ref=sr_1_1?crid=DLKVRCQUSE2W&keywords=turn+left+at+orion&qid=1659388187&sprefix=turn+left%2Caps%2C218&sr=8-1 2: a green laser pointer or red dot pointer. The finder that came with your scope will be discouraging. https://www.amazon.com/Talcope-Brightness-Finderscope-Astronomical-Accessories/dp/B08XMFWFG2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3MJDVQQI01YW3&keywords=red+dot+finder&qid=1659388208&sprefix=red+dot+finde%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spL...
Have fun out there! clear skies.
Check out Turn Left at Orion. This book has great recommendations and wonderful instructions on how to starhop to each object. It's a classic in the hobby.
Deal link: Amazon
Deal link: Amazon
Absolutely NOT a "stupid question"
/u/kbla64's suggestion to star hop from Pegasus is one way. Personally, I prefer another (it's entirely subjective...the "right way" is the one that works for YOU to find what you seek!) method, as I find its "guidepost" to be easier to locate.
Find Cassiopeia (Looks like a big M or W). The tip of the tallest "peak" will point at the Andromeda galaxy. If you get to Pegasus you've gone too far. :)
Also, a tool like Stellarium can really help you learn to navigate your way around.
Finally, I always suggest Turn Left At Orion as a great guide to the night sky. :)
Turn Left at Orion is a very popular suggestion.
Congrats! The moon is a good start. Make sure to line up the finder scope. Also a good start is Turn Left at Orion
Hi!
Personally have no experience with this scope but I can tell you a couple things.
It looks like it comes with a 25mm at 10mm. These are probably inexpensive eyepieces so a set of goldline eyepieces is what I would go for next. A 4mm will probably be approaching the max magnification of this scope. Putting that in a Barlow, especially an inexpensive one will probably ruin the view. Filters are neat but don't make a massive difference visually. Go for the eyepieces first link to a good guide. As your a beginner I would also recommend picking up Turn Left at Orion here on Amazon. Amazing book.
Hi :-)
> I’m thinking of getting this telescope since it’s highly recommended.
Great choice :-)
Still, make sure you know what to expect compared to images.
> How good are the accessories and which other ones would I probably want to eventually get?
The accessories are great. All you'll need to add is a good guide and possibly a planetary eyepiece.
Here's a list with stuff. nice to have, some very optional.
Learning, finding
- Turn left at Orion, the missing manual
- Dimable red light (Celestron 93588 $11 as exampke, but it's not great :D )
- Binoculars (e.g. Cometron 7x50 ~$30-ish)
- (Later/for deep-sky:) A Telrad + maps make finding deep-sky objects under dark skies easier. Info post. But the AD's kit finder is already pretty good!
Eyepieces
- Field of view simulation
- 6mm 66° ($20-$30; Not a short Plössl/52° type, not a kit)
- 15mm optional
- 4mm 58°, HR Planetary clone, $30 in China -> optional for rare occasion seeing is great
Adjustable chair
Filters
- Moon filter can be nice to have but it's not required at high magnifications (they also dim down the view). An adjustable one is the best choice, else a $5-$10 one will do. Or a blue filters:
- Planet/Color filters can enhance the contrast on planets slightly, but it's limited. A blue one can be universal. Kits with 4/5 on Amazon for $15 or less can be a solution, but if they include an eyepiece sun filter, THROW IT AWAY. They are dangerous. Kits with a dozen color filters are basically useless.
- Light pollution filters don't replace a dark site. Combined moon/sky-glow filter can be handy for a bit of everything. For actual deep-sky observation, a good narrow band filter can be nice, but it's a subject of it's own
- Solar filters: Protuberances for example won't be visible like with dedicated solar telescopes. Here's a comparison of visual light and dedicated solar scopes, the left is the visual filter: image (source). And we have a sun spot low atm. :-)
Note: I am not recommending buying at Amazon. But I'm not from the US, so I don't know what astronomy stores you have around, so look into that as well :-)
It's all in the post, but here's a list :-)
IMHO telescope+book is a good starting point. Everything is optional.
AD8/AD10
Learning, finding
- Turn left at Orion, the missing manual
- Dimable red light (Celestron 93588 $11 as exampke, but it's not great :D )
- Binoculars (e.g. Cometron 7x50 ~$30-ish)
- (Later/for deep-sky:) A Telrad + maps make finding deep-sky objects under dark skies easier. Info post. But the AD's kit finder is already pretty good!
Eyepieces
- Field of view simulation
- 6mm 66° ($20-$30; Not a short Plössl/52° type, not a kit)
- 15mm optional
- 4mm 58°, HR Planetary clone, $30 in China -> optional for rare occasion seeing is great
Adjustable chair
Filters
- Moon filter can be nice to have but it's not required at high magnifications (they also dim down the view). An adjustable one is the best choice, else a $5-$10 one will do.
- Color filters can enhance the contrast on planets slightly, but it's limited. A blue one can be universal. Kits with 4/5 on Amazon for $15 or less can be a solution, but if they include an eyepiece sun filter, THROW IT AWAY. They are dangerous. Kits with a dozen color filters are basically useless.
- Light pollution filters don't replace a dark site. Combined moon/sky-glow filter can be handy for a bit of everything. For actual deep-sky observation, a good narrow band filter can be nice, but it's a subject of it's own
Note: I am not recommending buying at Amazon. But I'm not from the US, so I don't know what astronomy stores you have around, so look into that as well :-)
Good :-)
Make sure to send the stores an eMail when the DT8 or similar will be in stock again then :-) Unless you want the better AD8 or a different one (e.g. if the Skywatcher or XT8 is in stock sooner).
Here's a list of accessories. I tried to address most stuff, but of course you don't need any of these to enjoy a telescope as-is. The guide and planetary eyepiece are very nice to have though.
Book & light
- Turn left at Orion
- Red light to protect night vision for deep-sky Random link, I have this one, it's not particularly good,
- Dollar store bike light, too bright as-is, but I've used these with a couple of layer painter's tape inside.
Eyepieces;
- Field of view simulation
- Short cheap eyepieces under 10mm have very poor eye-relief. The 66°/"gold-line" are nice, have a large apparent field of view. "Barlows" double magnification, they can be a budget solution (but lower the contrast).
- Planets: The 6mm 66° from ALiexpress, or eBay should arrive in time then, but you can of course get it from Amazon.
- If you want, larger overview eyepiece, A 2-inch eyepiece shows the largest field, under mediocre conditions a 2" 32mm ~70° will work in a 8", under very dark sky a 40mm can work LONK. At that point the Aperura AD8 or Zhumell z8 telescope will be the best all-inclusive deal.
- in-between: 9mm 66° Currently $25 or so in China, Amazon.
- 15mm Plössl can work 1/2 or also the gold-line/66°
Collimation: Adjusting the mirror system for best contrast
Filters,
- Color filter guide, they can enhance details, but the effect is limited.
- USUALLY I'd never recommend such a set-> $24 color filter+cheap barlow, but for it's price of $24 you can double the magnification (with loss of contrast though) and have three simple filters. I'd still recommend the 6mm 66° though as dedicated planetary eyepiece. With 8" dobsonian, 6mm and 25mm eyepiece, this will result in the magnification 48x, 96x, 200x, 400x (but already dim. Only usable if atmospheric seeing is good, which it often isn't).
- Else, optional. Neutral density = moon filter,
- Color filters, cheap cheap ones, Amazon color set, <- not required, can be used for the moon instead, but again, highly optional
- Other filter set. Please note the solar filter. These are dangerous. If you get one of these somewhere, throw them away.
- Nebula/Deepsky filters are very useful but good ones cost a bit. Probably something for the future... Guide
Finder
- The basic finder works, for planets well enough. Down the road a better finder can be nice though (e.g. a "Telrad" and maps for deep-sky, a right-angle finder scope... Personal choice).
TL;DR: Book, 6mm66°, possibly the "mars" filter set and you have a very basic but "all bases covered" set. And budget friendly.
> especially to chairs
Observing chairs
- In Europe you can get "ironing chairs" for like $20-$30, sadly I can't find them in the US.
- The astronomy chairs can cost $200 or so. [Random links, no recommendations- 1 / 2/3/4.
- Perhaps look around for an adjustable working-space chair?
- Of course there are some nifty DIY designs, e.g. the Lybar chair design, gallery here, / foreground here / background here, looks like a shelf, but depending on which way you turn it you have different heights to sit on.
No worries, busy time for sure! I'm pretty new to Telescopes myself, my family got me my XT8 for my First Father's day this year. I've done a ton of research since then, and am always excited to share knowledge. Not a lot of people I know share my hobbies, so you can private message me anytime and I'll have fun giving advice or discussing it.
If you don't buy the XT8 off Craigslist, I'd recommend from their [Clearance page](https://www.telescope.com/2nd-Orion-SkyQuest-XT8-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope/p/102342.uts). It's mostly returns that they've thoroughly inspected and come with a 1 year warranty. That's how I got mine and it was in New Condition, usually around 25% off.
Planets like Jupiter and Saturn are easy, they are typically the brightest objects in the sky so you really only need a phone app to tell you what days they will be in the night sky. I really like the Stellarium app, I paid for the full version but I think the free is still really good. Deep space objects (called DSOs) are things like Nebula, Galaxies and Star Clusters. Finding these can be like finding a needle in a haystack with how big our night sky is. For this I would highly recommend the book [Turn Left at Orion]( https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundreds-Telescope/dp/1108457568/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=turn+left+at+orion&qid=1575054480&sr=8-1 ). Apps can help find these things, but looking at a phone can make you lose your night vision and you don't pick up as much detail in these DSOs. It is recommended to only use red light when using a telescope which doesn't hurt your night vision, eventually you'll want a red flashlight, [I use this one]( https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-93588-Astro-Vision-Flashlight/dp/B0000665V5/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=celestron+red+light&qid=1575054716&sr=8-2 ) which works best if you put opaque tape over the clear window in front to diffuse the light.
As far as finding objects goes you'll use a couple of things. Every telescope has a finder scope of some sort. The XT8 has a red dot finder scope, which is a little window you look through on the outside of the scope and it superimposes a red dot on the object you're looking for. So if you put the red dot on the moon say, and then look through your actual eyepiece you should be looking at the moon. It's similar to a rifle scope. For DSOs you will do what is called Star Hopping. You find a bright star that is near by what you are looking for. Then you find dimmer stars that you can still see with the naked eye. Usually I find two stars that are on either side of the object then estimate where the object should be, put my red dot here and then do a little scanning with the telescope until I find what I'm looking for. Use a low magnification lens (like the 25mm) to search. There's more scientific ways to do it, but it works for me every time. Takes some practice. It's also confusing in that if you move the scope one way, it might make the image in the scope move the opposite direction. It takes practice and patience, but with time it becomes 2nd nature.
The included 10mm and 25mm are pretty good for planets and the moon, but will fall short for DSOs. If you're willing to spend another ~$100 dollars right out the gate on accessories I'd buy a [zoom lens]( https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-93230-24mm-1-25-Eyepiece/dp/B0007UQNV8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=8-24+zoom&qid=1575055505&sr=8-1) that allows you to change the magnification and an [eyepiece that provides higher magnification]( https://www.amazon.com/SVBONY-Telescope-Eyepiece-Accessories-Astronomy/dp/B07JWDFMZ4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=svbony%2B6&qid=1575055611&sr=8-1&th=1) (get the 6 mm option) than the zoom or the provided lenses. Later, if you want to spend another ~$130 on more options at eyepiece I'd by the 9mm option from the 2nd link there and a [wide angle lens]( https://www.amazon.com/Agena-Super-Wide-Angle-Eyepiece/dp/B00YO60I9E/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=agena+32&qid=1575055724&sr=8-2) that makes it easier to find objects by showing more of the night sky. When in comes to eyepieces, make sure you know the math of magnification. You take the Focal Length of the scope, 1200mm for the XT8, and divide it by the number in mm on an eyepiece. I.e. a 12 mm eyepiece would be 1200/12 = 100x magnification. Don't bother with Barlows, a Zoom takes care of that by giving you an infinite spectrum between 50 - 150x and the 6 mm gives your 200x. That is plenty for basically all viewing conditions.
The [Moon Brightness Filter]( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076MP3T66/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) is nice if the Moon hurts your eyes to look at, but it might be worth just looking at the moon first before spending the $20. You can't actually hurt your eyes looking, but it can definitely shock your eye. Also, higher magnification always means dimmer so zooming in can naturally act as a filter. I wouldn't bother with other filters. Most are crap and don't contribute much.
In summary: To really feel prepared when going out for the first time you should have a book that you studied ahead of time for what you want to look for (The book is broken down by Season and what is viewable during that time) and a red light to see the book. The provided 25mm will be okay to search with, and the 10mm will let you see more of it, but you will want something better soon like the zoom or the 6mm Svbony lens. Make sure your Telescope is [collimated]( https://lovethenightsky.com/telescope-collimation-for-complete-beginners/) and your finder scope is lined up with your scope (the Telescope manual walks through this, do it during the day). Bring chairs and warm clothing. Lastly bring your patience. Hope this was helpful with how long it was, and I hope you and your kiddo have a ball!
Turn left at Orion is worth the money :)
https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundreds-Telescope/dp/1108457568
Popular alternatives to Turn Left At Orion: Hundred...
