G'day Parth,
to IIS.
I always loooove spending someone else's money...
First, a word of caution, astrophotography IS a real money pit. To get good pics is not overly expensive, but it aint cheap either.
You can do photography with only a webcam, and there is an article in the 'Projects and Articles' heading in the top left margin on how to make one. I've done it myself and it works really, really well for the Moon and planets. The scope dosen't need to track as the software does it for you. Mike Salway, one of the adminstrators of IIS has also written a top article on processing your images, also in the 'projects' heading.
It quintisential beginners scope is the 8" dobsonian. The photography I do is with this simple type of push-pull setup.
However, the best advice I can give to a total novice is to get yourself to a local club or star party. There you will see every type of scope, mount and level of sophistication from push-pull, to computer controlled ones that make you coffee and give a massage too.
This is the best way to begin to familiarize yourself with all the gadgets available.
Better still, get along to two club meetings or star parties. The first will leave you overwhelmed and 'starry eyed'. The second will be with a more level head and better understanding. Any purchase you make will then be with the best possible quality of info. and best suited to your needs.
I started wanting to photograph the universe too. Now, I am very happy to spend my $ on a big scope and decent eyepieces and sketch. I'm set up in 10 min, and take down just as quick. The pics are left for public viewings to show large groups what can be done with very, very simple gear, a cheap webcam and your pc.
All the best, Partha,
Mental.
. I do have this secret desire/urge to buy a telescope and keep on looking at the sky, to see how the universe looks outside, and may be even spot an alien spacecraft flying by 
. anyway one guy I knew suggested me about this forum and after a google search I hit upon here. Now here is what I want to do. Buy me a telescope that I can preferably hook up with a computer and camera/video camera in such a way that not only I can look towards the sky, but also if I decided to take a video or snap of what I am looking at, I can do that as the snap or video will be saved in the PC. Can I actually do that ? Please suggest to me the various equipments etc I need to do that, what brand and model is preferable for purchase and what books etc I should read to broaden my knowledge and understanding of the sky.I have no knowledge and no clue in this field what so ever 
and hence turning on you guys for some knowledge/help. I would like to mention that my budget is about $1500 is plus or minus a couple hundred dollars and already have a powerful Core i7 based PC. So please advice this compleet n00b on what to do and what to buy 
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