Lingsifu!
These GS Dobs are great scopes, but do not come with adequate documentation.
First thing. Grab yourself the XT10 manual from Orion. The XT10 is essentially the same scope as the GS 10".
Here is a link to the XT10 manual. It will tell you how to set up the scope, align finder, collimate etc and get started. If you are still having trouble collimating watch
this video tutorial.
Next, get yourself a planisphere and some charts, and a red torch (one on a headband is best - Kmart sell one by Energizer: expensive but very useful). I started with a planisphere and "The Southern Sky Guide" by Ellyard and Tirion - both under $25 (you can get them from scope shops, e.g., Bintel).
Planetarium software is good too, but for me it's usually more of a specialised tool and I find it a lot more tedius than a prepared guide like Souther Sky Guide. But software can help you find some stuff right away. Stellarium is one of the most basic (but also pretty) planetarium programs. Probably a good one to get started with. (Others will also recommend Cartes du ciel - I haven't used it. What I use you probably don't want
.) Use it to help you find a few objects once your scope is setup with finder aligned:
Saturn shortly after sunset and Jupiter throughout the night. Jupiter is the brightest thing up there, you can't miss it. Then check out some of the brighter DSOs. Start from M7, say. There are lots to see in that area of the sky.
You can also get free charts. Google for Taki's star atlas - they're the best free charts there are. There are two versions: mag 6.5 and mag 8.5. Get the mag 6.5 for now. Print them out and stick them in plastic sleeves in a ring binder (or follow instructions on Taki's site). Again I'd consider these a compliment to a written guide which would also include descriptions of what to look not just the charts.
If you haven't got a pair of binos (40-50mm aperture, 7-10x power), get one.
www.aoe.com.au have some excellent binos for little over $100. It is a must have accessory to a telescope. It is a terrific finding / scouting aid with or without charts.
Do let us know how you and your new scope get along.
