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There are a few old platitudes that haven't been spouted yet, so I'll go
ahead and spout them...
In the past, it was always recommended to learn the sky before you
buy a telescope. Learn the major constellations naked eye, and learn
how to find deep sky objects with a decent pair of binoculars. Now
days, with GOTO telescopes that can find things for you, this is often
disregarded. I still remember doing this as a fun, rewarding, thrill,
and I still think it's good advise. There is a LOT of stuff you can see
with a pair of 7 or 10 by 50 binoculars, and you'll use 'em even after
you get the scope of your dreams.
Astronomy doesn't have to be expensive. There are a number of guys
in this group who are "financially challenged" who are staples of the
group. Of course, a wonderful, and expensive, scope is a treasure, but
if you go out under a dark sky with only your naked eyes and a
planisphere and begin to recognize some of the constellations, I promise
you that you won't be able to sleep that night. The same thing goes
when you pick up that first deep sky object in a pair of binoculars. If
these things don't give you a charge that keeps you awake that night,
you probably won't get much out of a telescope anyway.
When it comes time to buy a scope, the advice given about going to
a star party and looking through various type of scopes and talking to
the people that the telescopes own, :) is good. If there is nothing
like that around you, READ READ READ, and check out the scope buying
advise from this group.
Have a good time! This is a hobby that can make your entire life
better!
Marty
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