www.NJLanParty.com

Looking to get a telescope. Not sure on what to get. I wanted to look at a few stars and plants and show some definition instead of a burst of light. Any ideas. Not looking for a $1,000 setup for a first time.

For a telescope that's going to show you much of anything, you're going to need to drop some $$, plus finding stuff to look at is a bit of a challenge.

This is a "starter" scope with a computer controller and a 5" aperture for about $700.

http://www.celestron.com/browse-shop/as ... -telescope

I wouldn't suggest going any smaller than 5" for this type of scope and would absolutely go bigger if budget allows. I've viewed through an 8" with a professional astronomer in much better viewing conditions than we have in most of NJ and even that did not have that resolution you'd expect for it's size.

This may be of help as well.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronom ... telescope/

That one is a nice looking unit. Would not mind considering something like that. Thanks for the link. That was also full of information. I was maybe considering something like this.
http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-NexStar ... =telescope

That looks to be a solid scope as well.

That is the scope I have.

Here's a site for find "Dark Sites" around the US.

http://www.jshine.net/astronomy/dark_sky/

It's not to good around NJ, so if you're ever planning a cross country, you might want to pack the telescope.

Alternatively, you could get into hobby Radio Astronomy.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Poor-Ma ... Telescope/

Got this like 10 years ago, same features older model.
http://www.telescopes.com/telescopes/go ... iostar.cfm
I can see the rings of Saturn, but its just a blob like the SciFi channel symbol, no definition. Sorta like this

Mars is pretty clear and the moon is really breath taking and the Orion nebula is pretty awesome too.

Great thanks for the info guys. Maybe one night we could meet and look at the stars sometime.

Astronomy night at the Intrepid.

https://twitter.com/IntrepidMuseum/stat ... 9010761729

Sounds cool. Wish I did not have to work till 7 then.

Yeah. I know. Not enough notice. Plus, I'm sick right now.

Darn that stinks. I know my college has a astronomy night. Feel better man.

http://www.asterism.org/jsp/index.jsp