"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
Feel free to join some observation sessions to try try and see see before u decide on what to buy! On a more serious note, if you like to try astrophotog why not get a dslr from canon or nikon and may use it for dual purpose astro and daytime shots. Of course there are limitations (which u should read about), the introduction to astrophotog in kino which gary mentioned is a good read, i spent one whole afternoon sitting in some secluded corner at kino reading it hehe, save $$
whoa is the person who mention astronomy to me when I am free...I can't stop! haha. In anycase, if you are into observing, don't forget these 2 books :
To be 100% safe, you can call kino to reserve the book for you before you go. Check the straitstimes tomorrow in case there is 20% off kino cut-out coupon that you can use. Borders should have a couple of copies but they are sold at a higher price and not shrink wrapped. if not in a hurry, the absolutely cheapest price can be bought from an online bookshop someone mentioned in another thread.
"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
I can confirm that Kino is cheaper than Borders on Backyard Astronomer's Guide. But Amazon is the cheapest if you use couriers like comgateway. Mine is coming very soon.
Yes, there is supposed to be a 2010 version but its nowhere to be found. Even multiple emails to the authors does not yield even a reply. I guess just go for the expanded 2008 3rd edition will suffice. You can print the 2010 updates from the website if you want.
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