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I was introduced to your site by Jeff Barbour. I enjoy the stargazing fellowship and look forward to sharing observations with other "scopists". Thank you for providing this service.

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Just starting with a ds70ec refractor lovin it!

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I wonder if your range of "affordable" telescopes could be expanded to Dobsonians, which represent the most "Bang for the Buck" - for example, can get new pretty good 10" Dobsonian for $450. Also used Meade or Celeston 8" SCT (like on EBAY for low as $700

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terrific job. first site I've seen to Honestly state the real views with mid-size scopes. I'm sorry but I'm a cheater I own an Orion 8" dob. Your observations are pretty much dead on for the average amature or novice with a small to medium scope.If you don't mind I'll contribute to your observers list from time to time(labaling myself as an 8" dob user) Truly the differences will be minimal at best.Thanks again for your forthrite approach. I live 20 miles east of Manhatten, light pollution is my life! Take care. Steve

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Congratulations on an inspired website ! It is all too easy for the budding Amateur Astronomer, flicking through pages of Astronomy Magazines etc. to gain wildly over-optimistic expectations of what he/she will see with 'a proper telescope'. This site will really help enable the would-be scope uyer to make an important purchasing decision, armed with realistic expectations. I have recently purchased an Orion Europa 150 F5 reflector with 25mm, 9mm and 6.3mm eyepieces, so this site is perfect for me ! I have already peered into the centre of M42 and resolved the Theta Orionis 'Trapezium' at 240x, as well as spend many hours racking Jupiter & Saturn. I will endeavour to contribute future sightings to the site as my experience grows. Ian Knight, Bristol UK

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i have always wanted to know more about cosmology. your web site has inspired me to learn more. Thank you for your help along my way. I am also happy to know that a small telescope can be used to see the heavens, even with artifical light interference.

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GREAT SITE. I LIKE SITES LIKE YOURS THAT HAVE INFORMATION TO HELP US SMALL SCOPE OWNERS TO SHARE OUR OBSERVATIONS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT LESSER EXPERENCED STARGAZERS HAVE A REAL ZEAL JUST BEING ABLE TO FIND OBJECTS. I HAVE A ORION 90MM SHORTUBE,A MEADE 2 3MM SCT, 10X50 BINOS, AND WILL BE GETTING A SKYWATCHER 120MM SOON. THE 90MM SPOILED ME ON THE CRISP, SHARP VIEWS A REFRACTOR SHOWS. JUST SEEING WHAT I CAN FIND WITH THE 90 IS A REAL BALL AND IT IS REALLY EASY TO SETUP AND OPERATE. JUST WISH THE WEATHER WOULD COOPERATE A LITTLE BIT BETTER HERE IN MICHIGAN. IT'S BEEN A VERY BAD YEAR FOR WEATHER. I'VE BOOKMARKED YOUR SITE AND WILL PROBABLY START LOGGING SOME OF MY SESSIONS WITH THE SMALLER SCOPE(S). CLEARSKYS BOB FROM CLIO MI

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I also have a 6" reflector (Celestron C150HD). I belong to the Tacoma Astronomical Society located in Tacoma, Washington. I've been using my telescope for about 1 year now, still learning what is out there.