A telescope is a device used to magnify distant objects. There are many varieties of telescopes to choose from, and many price ranges to consider. Scopes come in all shapes and sizes, from a small plastic tube you can buy at a toy store, to the massive Hubble Space Telescope, which weighs several tons and which you cannot take home!
Amateur telescopes are better than the toy variety though not as powerful as the Hubble telescope. Nevertheless, they provide decent magnifying capabilities. They are also portable and can be easily taken along during stargazing excursions.
There are two types of telescopes, the refractor telescope, which uses glass lenses, and the reflector telescope, which uses mirrors instead of lenses. Either type should be handled with utmost care as the lenses, mirrors and other components of these scopes are extremely fragile.
Proper packing is important when shipping a telescope. It should be placed in a sturdy container to protect it from outside impact, as well as from the elements. Sufficient padding should also be provided to avoid damage due to vibrations. Here are some tips on how to properly pack and ship a telescope to ensure that it arrives intact and in excellent condition.
A padded hardcase would be ideal in shipping a telescope. Just make sure that the telescope and its accessories are properly placed in their respective compartments and they do not move around. Use pieces of bubble wrap to keep them in place. Close the case and place in a sturdy and slightly larger shipping box with packing peanuts in the bottom. Fill the box with more packing materials so that the telescope case will not move around inside the box. Close and seal the box with heavy duty packaging tape.
If a case is not available, wrap the telescope in several layers of bubble wrap. Add extra padding on both ends. Place in a sturdy box with ample packing materials on all sides, top and bottom to prevent it from moving. Do not use loose peanuts as it will let the telescope settle at the bottom. Instead, use air bags, styrofoam blocks or bagged packing peanuts.
Add dessicant packs to absorb any moisture before closing and sealing the box . Get a slightly larger box for double boxing. Use sufficient packing materials on all sides, top and bottom to keep the inner box in the center of the outer box. Close and seal the package, making sure that all flaps are reinforced with tape and will not burst open during transit.
Ship accessories such as mounts and tripods separately to prevent damage due to collision inside the box.
Address and label the package and take to your local post office or shipping company. Insure the package for your protection against damage or loss during shipping.