Science Shop

After many requests from students and readers, Merlin Science and Science Explained have developed this website - offering a wide variety of products, customized with help from CafePress and chosen from the best that Amazon has to offer.
The products listed will be updated frequently, as new ones are added and old ones are discontinued, so buy the products you want now and return regularly to see what new products are on offer.

Gifts from CafePress or Telescopes from Amazon

Trucker Hat with zodiac constellations

These hats display the night sky as seen along the ecliptic (zodiac line) showing the Sun's path through the year.

To see the image better, here's a link to the entire file that I uploaded to CafePress.
(The images displayed are of much lower resolution than the actual printing.)
Use your Back Button to return here.

Cap with zodiac constellations

Tote Bag

The Tote Bag, on the left, shows the night sky with northern celestial hemisphere on front (click here to see the enitre file that I uploaded to CafePress) and southern celestial hemisphere on back (click here to see the enitre file that I uploaded to CafePress). Major are stars identified.

The Messenger Bag, on the right, shows the night sky maps of both northern and southern celestial hemispheres along with zodiac (click here to see the enitre file that I uploaded to CafePress), all printed on the front. Major stars identified.

Messenger Bag

Teddy Bear with star class mnemonic
"Wow! Oh, Be A Fine Girl, Kiss Me Right Now Sweetie"

These cute teddy bears have on their chest the mnemonic used to
remember the spectral class of stars in the proper order.

"Wow! Oh, Be A Fine Girl/Guy, Kiss Me Right Now Sweetie"
with the starting letters in bright white to stand out.

The bear on the left says "Girl" and the bear on right says "Guy".

Soft plush fur, 11 inches tall with a red and blue bow and the T-shirt!

Teddy Bear with star class mnemonic
"Wow! Oh, Be A Fine Guy, Kiss Me Right Now Sweetie"

Tile Coaster with H-R diagram

Tile coaster displaying the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, or simply the H-R diagram, plots star color along the horizontal axis and luminosity along the vertical axis.

Measures 4.25” x 4.25” and 1/6-inch thick. Images are applied with a polyester resin that accepts dye as part of the coating. Four felt pads protect your furniture from scratches. Dishwasher safe. Not for use with abrasive cups and mugs.

Mousepad with the night sky as seen from the northern hemisphere with major constellations identified (including all zodiac).

Durable cloth top. Rubber backing prevents the mousepad from sliding. Machine washable.

Mousepad with constellations

BBQ Apron with star fields

This apron shows the night sky maps of both northern and southern celestial hemispheres along with zodiac (click here to see the enitre file that I uploaded to CafePress), all printed on the front. Major stars identified.

Ties at neck and waist. Two center-stitched bottom compartment pouches for keeping tools and recipes handy. 35% Cotton / 65% polyester blend, twill fabric. Machine washable and guaranteed.

This pillow displays the night sky as seen from the northern hemisphere with major constellations identifies (including all zodiac).

Measures 18" X 18" with an 11" X 11" image area. Made of ultra-soft brushed twill with a sturdy canvas image area. Ships with pillow insert. Removable zippered cover for easy laundering.

Throw Pillow with constellations

Each of these mugs, arranged from least to most expensive (left to right), display the night sky as seen along the ecliptic (zodiac line) showing the Sun's path through the year.
Mug with zodiac constellations	Large Mug with zodiac constellations	Stein with zodiac constellations

Each of these clocks, arranged from least to most expensive (left to right), show the night sky as seen from the northern hemisphere with major constellations identified (including all the zodiac).
Wall Clock with constellations	Large Wall Clock with constellations	Modern Wall Clock with constellations

And, of course, we've got lots of shirts!
There are so many styles to choose from, that it would clutter the page to show them all. Instead, I've only shown the most basic type and posted a brief description along with a link to CafePress where you can see a photo of the clothing and its details.
Note that no dark colored shirts are offered. That is because white is made transparent - and dark stars on a dark shirt do not show up against the black "night sky"! I understand that some folks want a little color, so some shirts come in pink or light blue but, if you chose those shirt colors, expect the stars to have that color too. (Actually, it's a nice effect.)
There are many styles to chose from but they come in two types.

Those on the left display sky maps of both northern and southern celestial hemispheres along with zodiac, printed on the front.

Those on the right, are printed with the night sky with northern celestial hemisphere on front and southern celestial hemisphere on back.

Women's Light T-Shirt

Women's Tank Top

Women's V-Neck T-Shirt

Women's Cap Sleeve T-Shirt

Women's Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Women's Plus Size Scoop Neck T-Shirt

Women's Plus Size V-Neck T-Shirt

Maternity T-Shirt

Value T-shirt not offered because cannot be printed both back and front

Jr. Spaghetti Tank not offered because cannot be printed both back and front

Men's Sleeveless Tee

Women's T-Shirt

Women's Light T-Shirt

Women's Tank Top

Women's V-Neck T-Shirt

Women's Cap Sleeve T-Shirt

Women's Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Women's Plus Size Scoop Neck T-Shirt

Women's Plus Size V-Neck T-Shirt

Maternity T-Shirt

Telescopes

You may be ready for your telescope. A good one costs plenty and a bad one is not worth owning at all. (So, kids, don't pester your parents. Telescopes are expensive! They are NOT toys!). Here's a selection from Amazon that I believe are good value for money.

For young children, I highly recommend the Discovery Kids - BINOTECH Telescope. This easy to use binocular telescope can double as an excellent bird watching scope!

This scope is easy to use and with enough magnification to see Saturn's rings and the Galilean moons while also providing some detail to nebulae. Also, great for bird watching.

The more serious amateur should focus on more advanced telescopes. Those listed here will provide lots of power for high-magnification study of lunar and planetary detail, and ample aperture for visual and photographic forays to faint nebulas and galaxies.
Of course, these are much more expensive so, if you're not sure how serious you are about your new hobby, think about one of the two to the left.

And finally, if the sky is the limit (for your wallet), these scopes have plenty to offer!

Merlin Science offers self-paced, self-learning science courses specially created for distance (flexible) learners. Each course has computerized exams, unique features and a style best suited for teaching the subject.

Principles of Alchemy (Chemistry) is for younger students (up to highschool),
while Principles of Astronomy is for more advanced students (hobbyists & first-year university),
and Principles of Genetics is most suitable for very advanced students (at university).

However, every student is different and it would not be fair to generalize. So, visit Merlin's Academy where you can learn more about the courses, request free samples of each course (to download onto your computer) and enjoy the free online samples.