Few Question For A Noob =]

[Brendie (Brenden)]

hey =]
i got a telescope for christmas
a Newtonian Telescope 114 x 900.
from what ive been told it should be good enough to see a few planets and that ? just want to know if this is accurate.
ive found the moon with it =] but not much luck finding anything else.
unless im looking at the wrong times, or just not sure where to look ? im still yet to buy a planisphere, will this help alot ?
Thanks

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

The only planet that is around as darkness falls is Venus, that really bright thing in the west at the moment. If you are up late, around midnight, you can find Saturn half way between Leo and Virgo. Jupiter has just sunk into the sun's glare for the better part of a month, and that is where Mars is too, at the moment.
Get that planisphere and the Astronomy 2009 handbook forthwith! That will get you going with how to find the planets and learn your way around the sky. There is no substitute of a big of hard slog, imo, and your steep learning curve has just begun! A set of star charts would also be on my shopping list, as there are plenty of bright deep sky objects your scope will be able to pick out at this time of year.

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by Brendie

hey =]
i got a telescope for christmas
a Newtonian Telescope 114 x 900.
from what ive been told it should be good enough to see a few planets and that ? just want to know if this is accurate.
ive found the moon with it =] but not much luck finding anything else.
unless im looking at the wrong times, or just not sure where to look ? im still yet to buy a planisphere, will this help alot ?
Thanks

Brendon and could you give us some more information, such as The type of Mount, Tripod, Eyepieces, and whether you are in a reasonably dark area.
By the looks of things you area around north of Brisbane?
We have a get together at Cambroon in the SunShine Coast near Kenilworth, a week next Saturday, where you could get some instruction on how to get the best use out of your scope
A Planisphere is a good idea, and so is getting a book call Astronomy 2009, from some Newsagents or Book Stores

[erick (Eric)]

Have you just pointed it at the night sky and moved it about until you spot something interesting?

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I second what Ron said. If you can, head on up to Kenilworth for the Australia Day long weekend, all your questions will be answered, and more.

[Brendie (Brenden)]

Astronomical Newtonian Telescope 114mm x 900mm Fully Coated Optics
32 mm eyepieces in 6mm, 12.5mm & 20 mm Barlow Equatorial Mount motor drive ready Aluminium Tripod.
thats what i found on the internet about it.
they eye pieces say, K26, K9 and K6 on them.
and i live on a few acres =] so does everyone around here. so it gets pretty dark.
and ive got the book Astronomy 2009 already =]
next time im up late around midnight, ill keep alook out for saturn.
thanks heaps for all your replies.