Check out my Amazon.com backyard astronomy guide

[TXlib]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/guides/guide-display/-/1KTIF4VJ6J79W/cm_aya_sylt_title.sylt/002-7102292-5760019

Let me know if you think I'm missing something, or if you think I'm full of shit.

[HEAVYHEART]

1. Fuck

I have spyware so when I clicked on your link, I got the about blank page. I'll check this out as soon as I remove the spyware.

Kicking it for now!

[markbark]

2. Find the Constallations

by H.A. Rey (the author of the Curious George series)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0395244188/qid=1104245514/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-2308896-0192134?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Obviously written for kids, but I used it millenia ago when I taught a celestial navigation class. Fun AND informative.... and it's hard to find a more basic text.


--MAB

[TXlib]

5. Yeah, that's a good book.

I thought about including it. I am still thinking about it.

[trotsky]

3. Dang, where were you a year ago?

I bought a near low-end Celestron telescope because I wanted to get started. I can't remember its power, but it does have a nice feature in that it can auto-align itself using guide stars, and once that's done, you can use a hand control to point to various objects automatically.

[TXlib]

4. Sounds like you didn't do too badly

Celestron makes nice telescopes, even their low-end ones.

[trotsky]

6. Oh good, I do like this one.

It's so easy to find stuff with the auto-align feature. I wanted an easy-to-use starter 'scope and it definitely fit the bill.

[TXlib]

7. Well, that's what counts.

Ease of use. I know somebody who has more money than he knows what to do with who bought himself a top-of-the-line 120-mm apochromatic refractor, equatorial mount with clock drive, multiple eyepieces (including one that goes for ~$500), filters, and a high-end CCD for astrophotography. To my knowledge, he hasn't used it more than 5 times in 3 years. He bought about $10,000 of equipment in one pop, and has barely touched it.

I suggested he donate it to a high school and take the tax write-off, but it still sits in his garage, unenjoyed by anybody.