What was the first thing you bought when you got into astronomy?

[BeanerSA (Paul)]

The first thing I bought was membership to the local astro society.

[AEAJR (Ed)]

After hanging out on several astronomy forums for a couple of months I was ready to get serious.

The first thing I purchased was a pair of $25 US 10X50 binoculars from Harbor Freight, a discount tool store.

To that I added a planisphere and a red flashlight and that was what got me started.

Shortly after that I tried to revive my 60 mm refractor that I had gotten in middle school 45 years ago. That was past revival.

I attended a couple of public outreaches and saw a variety of scopes and met lots of nice people.

My first telescope purchase was a Meade ETX 80 GoTo scope. And I was on my way to the stars.

That was about 15 months ago. Loving the sky!

[loc46south (Geoffrey)]

Hi - The first thing I bought was a 12" LX200 GPS Mead Telescope and it came with a free DSI Astro Camera. Strangely enough the first piece of astro gear I ever sold was the 12" LX200 GPS and the DSI makes a wonderful paperweight - just the right shape.

Cheers
Geof