G'day and welcome aboard Oldboy.
for 500.00 you can get yourself up and going with out to much trouble. Have you got any binocs as that is a good starting point before you get a telescope. I myself will leave the scope answers to the other guys as they are more up to thing than what i am as i am only new to this caper as well. Any way good to have you here in IIS and just ask away and i am sure we can help out one way or another..