The Galileoscope is a high-quality, low-cost telescope kit developed for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 by a team of leading astronomers, optical engineers, and science educators. No matter which part of Trinidad or Tobago you live in, with this easy-to-assemble refractor you can see the celestial wonders that Galileo first glimpsed 400 years ago and that still delight stargazers today, including lunar craters, the phases of Venus, the moons of Jupiter, and Saturn's rings.

The aim of this project is to distribute these simple, accessible, easy-to-assemble and easy-to-use telescopes across the country, enabling many persons to observe with an instrument similar to Galileo's. Sharing this experience and making people think about the importance is one of the main goals of IYA2009: Promote widespread access to new knowledge and observing experiences. A do-it-yourself Galileoscope could be the key to pursuing an interest in astronomy beyond IYA2009, especially for people who cannot afford to buy a commercial telescope.

There will be monthly competitions for the best drawing and best photograph obtained through use of the Galileoscope.