🔭 Backyard Stargazing: A Summer Night to Remember with My Son and Our Telescope

This summer, I was looking for something simple—but meaningful—to do with my son. No flights, no fancy trips. Just something real. So one Saturday evening, we decided to camp out in the backyard. Just the two of us, a tent, a few snacks, and something I had been meaning to unpack: the Orion SpaceProbe II telescope.

He’s at that age where the stars are more than just lights in the sky—they’re questions waiting to be answered. And honestly? I’ve missed that kind of wonder.

We pitched our little dome tent under the maple tree, roasted marshmallows over a makeshift fire pit, and waited for nightfall. As the sky darkened, I set up the SpaceProbe II near the edge of the yard. Setup was a breeze—it only took a few minutes, and before I knew it, we were on the moon.

The detail was stunning. Every crater looked crisp and close enough to touch. My son stared into the eyepiece and said, “It’s like we’re astronauts.” I smiled and nodded. It really did feel like that.

Then we found Saturn. I’ll never forget the look on his face when he saw those rings. Awe, pure and simple. The SpaceProbe II’s 76mm reflector mirror brought it all into focus—the moon, even a few deep-sky clusters I hadn’t seen in years. With the included EZ Finder and interchangeable eyepieces, it was easy to explore different objects without getting lost in the dark.

We stayed up way too late, just the two of us wrapped in blankets, pointing things out, taking turns, asking questions we didn’t have answers to—and not minding that we didn’t.

I bought this telescope to help fuel my son’s curiosity. But that night, it reminded me of something I had forgotten: how beautiful it is to just look up.

If you’re looking to create a memory this summer—a real one, away from screens and distractions—the Orion SpaceProbe II is a fantastic way to start. Easy for beginners, but powerful enough to keep you coming back night after night.

👉 Click here to shop the Orion SpaceProbe II Reflector Telescope and start your own backyard adventure.

Because sometimes, the best place to explore the universe is just outside your door.