ut, don’t think you cannot see great stuff or get good views of stars or even asteroids with a good home telescope.

Vickie Gordon of Yonkers, NY got a Schmidt-Newton with her allowance. She found that it could have a camera attached. With the motor drive it could follow the moon.

However, she found out that she had problems tracking the planets.

Probably the quickest way to get up to speed using your Schmidt-Newton is to join an astronomy club. There are many astronomy clubs in most countries of the world and in most states of the USA. Here are a few in the US: Shoals Astronomical Society, Inc. in Florence, AL; Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club in Norfolk, NE; Urban Stargazers at the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee, WI; High Desert Astronomical Society in Apply Valley, Ca; Rose City Astronomers at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, OR; Muskegon Astronomical Society in Muskegon, MI; Mid-Hudson Astronomy Assn. at the Physics Dept., SUNY New Paltz in New Paltz, NY; Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri in Wentzville, MO.

In fact, it would be a better idea to start attending an astronomy club before you go out and buy a telescope. They will not only recomend some good scopes to you but can point you toward some beginning projects. To get a feel for what is involved in planet watching attend a few star gazing parties. A good way to start would be to buy a pair of 7×50 binoculars. Take them with you to the star gazing party. They will let you see anything from the craters on the moon to the closer planets.

When you go to your first planet viewing party, you will be surprised at how eager people are to let you see what they are looking at. However, there are a few thinsg to consider. Their equipment is expensive, so be careful. If you have children with you, make sure that they are careful as well. A small child running around will make people nervous very quickly. You may need a flashlight to make sure you don’t trip over things. But, you will want to put a red filter over the end. Red light lets your eyes adjust to the dark the quickest. Be sure to dress warmly. Sitting still at night can be chilly – even in the summer.