New to star gazing

[mschoepp]

Hello, I am brand new to the whole star gazing field, but took the advice from this site and just purchased a <br />*Orion SkyQuest XT8 IntelliScope<br />*RS-232 Connector Cable for IntelliScopes<br />*Orion IntelliScope Computerized Object Locator<br /><br />Does anyone have any advice for me on getting started, a good magazine to buy, and maybe a group to join? Also, I have read alot about upgrading eye pieces, which ones would you buy? Any help would be great and thank you in advance

 

[mooncheese]

I am still using binoculars to familiar myself with the constellations. Some day I will get a scope. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[frostbrewed]

Also don't forget about www.heavens-above.com for star charts, planet hunting, position of the ISS, and those super-cool iridium flares.<br />A small star chart generator CLICK HERE Will be extremely helpful too.<br />Your gonna' have a great time with that scope, Good choice!!<br />Frost

 

[mschoepp]

crazy.... THANK YOU for the quick reply... I can not wait to get started. You were right Night Sky looks like the place to start for me and will subscribe once I get through the first issue. Again thank You

 

[mykpoz]

I have a similar quesiton...<br /><br />Realistically, for someone new to stargazing, how hard is the intelliscope to align? From what I have been able to read is you need to pinpoint two stars before you are able to use the auto-find feature of the intelliscope software.