If you are looking for the ultimate astronomy gift for a young (or older!) adult, consider one of the new crop of “smart telescopes”. Although I would prefer that a young person start with a good pair of binoculars or a small non-computerized telescope (like a Dobsonian), a generation that grew up with smart phones may prefer a ‘scope that is driven by their phone. I have posted images from my ZWO Seestar 50 – one of the first generation of smart telescopes. there are now multiple options with prices from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Check out this review from space.com and email me with any questions.
Also check out this Youtube video comparing a smart telescope with a traditional portable astrophotography setup. I think a smart telescope is like an electric bike – it takes away some of the excuses of not going out for exercise or to take advantage of a brief time to capture amazing images of the cosmos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VVMwzvajaA
