A CHRISTMAS TELESCOPE BLEG: Reader Joel Ard writes: “My 8 year old is extremely interested in astronomy. I know nothing. We’re considering getting him a telescope, but I have no idea what one ought to look for, consider as valuable or worthless, spend, etc. You, or your readers, probably do. Could you inform or inquire?” It’ll have to be inquire, as my knowledge in this area is woefully out of date.