for the lovely welcome.
I have been tossing up
so many options over the months - second hand vs new, GOTO or without, Equatorial/Alt-Az and just about everything in between.
I'm starting to wonder which interest (*cough* healthy obsession) is greater, the world of telescopes or the night sky.
But i've found that the 10" has many happy owners. As with the dob base.. it's looks just so much easier. There's no need for me to travel so portability isn't something I'm chasing, and just as well as there are only so many ways to keep a 3yr old happy. So the kids got to bed, I enjoy quiet time.
Thanks for those links too. I haven't downloaded any star chats just yet, I'm saving that for my first night out when I can really begin to see things. I have been buying Sky & Telescope for a few months and they have one in there each month, which are becoming easier to use as I'm becoming familiar with what's up there. Stellerium is my favorite!! What a gem
I don't know any one who is into Astronomy and my friends and family I think are now just quietly tolerating my rants of excitment. Honestly, how could you "forget" to watch a lunar eclipse
There is a lot of freedom in watching the bigger picture. It puts everything back into perspective.