Many thanks for all your words, yes we feel very fortunate with conditions for the first night and to be truthful I expected a bit of a steep learning curve to being able to see much at all the first few weeks...
I must say the Dobsonian is a very easy scope to start with and while there is a huge mountain to learn it produces results that inspire rather than deflate - pretty much straight out the box (after a little assembly
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I can see why it is so widely promote and recommended as a telescope for beginners.
Next purchase a little sack trolley to help move it around it is not so much heavy but awkward to move.
I am eager to pick up a good book for learners, stellarium is a great program as well that works on my macbook air so thats a bonus. Since installing it I have been able to recreate my nights viewing and put a few names to items I looked at.
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I feel very lucky to have had such a successful first night, I look forward to many. Will need to grab a journal and take a few notes to record what I see as well.
On another note I must say this is a very nice forum, full of friendly and helpful people. thank you all..