A few months ago I realized I would like to learn more about astronomy, and get a telescope. I spent a while researching telescopes. I found the Orion website (http://www.telescope.com) and ordered a free catalog. I spent a lot of time looking through the catalog trying to figure out what I wanted. I found their Dobsonian telescopes the most appealing to me, because they are relatively cheap, and they can use the Intelliscope object locator.

A dobsonian scope is a Newtonian reflector scope mounted on a base that sits low to the round, rather than a tripod. It uses 2 mirrors to collect light, rather than a lens. Large mirrors are cheaper to make than large lenses, so you can get a larger aperture for less money. Well, I read that since you can't add a tracking motor to a Dobsonian mount (at least not Orion's models), they aren't suitable for astrophotography.

I wanted to try to take pictures with my new scope, so I started looking at other models. I found the StarSeeker 130mm to be interesting. It it a go-to scope, which means that it can find objects for you when you select them with a keypad.

In the end, I decided that I should learn how to navigate manually, and settled on the Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ. It is a 130mm reflector scope on a equatorial mount, with a 650mm focal length. It's shorter focal length is supposed to be brighter than the longer tube version. It's also supposed to be "faster" for astrophotgraphy, which I don't quite understand.

So I placed an order for my scope on June 29. It arrived by FedEx around 10:30 on July 1. I spent about an hour assembling it and reading through the manual. The scope came with 25mm and 10mm Plossl eyepieces, a 6x30 finder scope, and some mounting point for extra stuff. The tripod has a tray to put things in.

After assmbling the scope, I waited and waited for the darkness to come. I took it outside around 9pm. The first thing I looked at was the moon. I looked at it with both eyepieces. Next I found Jupiter, it was easy to find. I could just make out its stripes, and it's moons looked like pinpoints of light.

I have not been able to find any other interesting objects. None of the other planets have been out at night. I have tried to look for nebulas, but I think there is too much light pollution where I'm located. Plus, I still don't quite understand how to use the setting circles.

Every day I try to learn a little more about the constellations, and telescope techniques. I use the Starry Night program that came with the scope to look at cellestial information, and print charts. I also use the wonderful free program Stellarium. I wish it was able to print, though.

I will try taking my scope to star parties and learning from astronomers. Stay tuned for furthur updates.

well what did you think of the st? I'm ordering one and would love to know what you think