[ngcles]

Hi Darkskybondi,

One other piece of advice that will in many ways sum-up what others have already said:

Learning to use a telescope is like learning to play a musical instrument or drive a car.

Remember that well. Pause for a moment and think of a favourite muso -- like for example Mike Oldfield. Did Mike just pick up a guitar and star playing like a pro without a moment's practice or learning?

A lot of people buy a 'scope and expect to be able to assemble and collimate it with no more difficulty than boiling the kettle.

They also expect to be able to see dozens and dozens of objects almost instantly just by waving the 'scope around at the sky -- and that everything they look at will look just like a Hubble Space Telescope image.

It isn't quite that easy but nor is it really, really hard -- so don't be discouraged. There are thousands of experienced amateur astronomers around Australia (many on this forum) who once stood in the shoes you occupy now -- and they succeeded.

Be prepared to be patient.

Be prepared to be frustrated by the weather (like you never thought was possible).

Prepare to have some bad nights when the wheels will seem to fall off everything you attempt.

Prepare to learn about how things actually look through a 'scope -- and appreciate them for what can be seen while having a little knowledge of what you are looking at. This is important: the eye and the mind's-eye should work together in tandem.

Get ready to be blown away by your first look (and your 10,000th look) at Saturn.

Its all good fun and enjoy it for the exhilarating (and at time exasperating) hobby/obsession it is!

Welcome to telescope ownership!


Best,

Les D