It seems to be the time of year to help out folks that are thinking about a Christmas telescope. Let me help out some more. This is going to be simple.
If you are part of a family or a single person who thinks that looking at stars would be fun and that you want a telescope to do so, then read this blog post.
If you have read other folks say that it really would be wise to get a planisphere and you *have* to have a scope for Christmas, then read this blog post.
If you have considered a pair of 10x50 binoculars and still *must* get a scope for Christmas, then read on.
Don't go to a department store to get your scope. You still have time to get one in the mail from an internet sales place. Unless you really know what you are doing, don't go to Craig's list - and if you really knew what you are doing, why would you be reading this blog post??
What you want is the Orion XT6. It is a six inch dobsonian scope with no bells and no whistles. It comes with one eyepiece and a red dot finder. That should be all you need to find hundreds of objects in the Texas sky. It will fit in the back seat of almost any car.
If you search well on the internet, you should be able to buy it for less than $300 and get most of the shipping for under that number too.
After placing your order, the most important thing you should do is to find an astronomy club to help you find out how to use the scope. In San Antonio, do a search for the San Antonio Astronomical Association. We will help you. You will have fun.
Next most important: buy a copy of the Sky and Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas. It will be your map to the sky. A planisphere will also help. So will a pair of binoculars.
Dark skies to all, and to all a good night!
Risk
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