Just in time for Christmas: the Prairie Astronomy Club will offer help in buying a telescope at its Nov. 24 meeting at Hyde Observatory in Holmes Lake Park.

Experienced amateurs will provide examples of the good and bad purchases and offer hints. And five visitors will go home with a "Galileoscope" -- a starter telescope -- given away by the club.

After a business meeting at 7:30 p.m., the "Learn How To Use Your Telescope" session will begin at 8 p.m.

You don't have to be a member to attend. Admission is free.

For details: www.hydeobservatory.info or www.prairieastronomyclub.org.