Advice for a newbie, Please reply

Hello fellow astronomers, I recently bough an LXD55 8" SN. It will be the first time I see thru a telescope. I love stars though, since I was a little kid. Could all you give me advices so I start with the right foot in this fascinating and magical science. Including websites, books, sights. Etc. Thanks a lot.

Clear Skies

RIcardo R. Amador

I suggest the book Nightwatch by Terrence Dickinson. A must have for all amateur astronomers. then check out local astronomy groups and attend lots of star parties!

I'll second the Night Sky Observer's Guide Volume 1 & 2. Don't know How I got this far without it. This is everything I've been looking for in a observing book.

Joe

Being a newbie myself, I suggest "Turn Left at Orion". It covers the easiest objects to find in the sky with a small telescope and gives pointers on what to look for with each object. The book also has drawings of what the objects look like through a small telescope's EP. I find the book to very helpful and a nice addition to the books already listed.

You can get both "Turn Left at Orion" and "Nightwatch" for a hefty discount on Amazon.

If you haven't already, check out skyandtelescope.com. There is an interactive star chart that is VERY useful for beginners such as us.

Hope this helps!
JOE

As regards your telescope, I suggest buying a few wide-field eyepieces. I have an 'old model' Meade 8" schmidt-newton and visually it excels at milky-way vistas. High-power views are less spectacular in my opinian...have fun!