[NasaNerd (James)]

Hi there all,

Am currently studying a B of science maj in phys and would really like to get into studying the stars! I am aware of most of the techniques that astronomers use to get information from a star ie (how far away it is, how hot it is, what its made from, weather its a variable star, if it has planets around it and so on) but i don't know how much of that an actual amateur astronomer can achieve. So I was wondering if you guys could point me in the right direction as to what amateurs can actually do with what equipment is available to us. I'd probably be willing to spend about $2500 on a telescope, but would consider making my budget larger for any other gadgets that i might need. Is that possible at all???

Thanks James