Having decided on a Telescope and going for a Dobsonian,I now have one ( an 8 inch full tube).This is claimed to be an ideal beginners scope and the "best bang for buck,"which will let more light in, and allow you to see much further than Dept store bought scopes.
The learning curve has been steep and it keeps on curving, bringing new discoveries with it.
Yet, just like planning a rocket launch,I am yet to launch my new view of the universe and use it in the field.
-(cloud cover since purchase?)Apparently this is to be expected-4 days and counting!
I thought from my help deciding thread,it may be best to go from that, to actually having one- from a newbie perspective.
First, it is exciting just to have a decent Telescope, that will allow views of some DSO's (Deep space objects) far away tiny faint galaxies, planetary Nebulae, clusters and the solar system, they will be faint and not in colour,(Maybe larger planets will) it maybe even hard to dicern shapes.But you will be seeing further than you have ever before than with no Telescope.(light that has travelled years and centuries!)
First ,once you get a decent size light collecting telescope, they seem huge! But to others more experienced,it is tiny, A 12", 20 "or more must be amazing, but even a 60 inch will not see the colours we are spoiled with by Hubble images converted by many filters and reprocessing.
We all have to start somewhere...so start smaller and maybe later upgrade.
An 8 inch scope will fit laid across the back seat of a small car, with room for small cushions either end,as it splits in two- a rocker box-the wooden base ,I had to sit in the front passenger seat, strapped in with a black blanket covering it-The looks were priceless! As it resembeled someone covered in a Burqa.
The wooden base swivels, if this is stiff to move, adding a milk bottle washer will help greatly- thanks Iceman!
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-116-0-0-1-0.html making it buttery smooth
This allows you to track a star or object by nudging the base, so it again crosses your view FOV,through the scope,you may need to do this every 20 -30 seconds at high powers.(lower mm )eye pieces-EPs.eg:wide field of view=FOV (25 mm) =low power or a higher power =(10mm) EP or less.
So now to start, the questions you and I may have -Feel free to add your own.
-can the finder scope be focused? Or just a general point and go?
-Why does the dust cover have have 2 smaller caps, one a dummy and the other opens?
-Does this aid in someway to see things differently? Like planets?
-what is the best way to "Star hop" without altitude and azymuth markings, and time and decleration marked on the scope? Without smart phones and laptops.
Dobsonian scopes turn things upside down and reversed, how do you compensate?