StarSapling

This is 40 Eridani is probably my favorite multiple system, and the only one I can think in which a yellow dwarf, a white dwarf and a red dwarf can be observed together in a smallish scope. An interesting bit of Science Fiction trivia: It has been decided and generally accepted that in the Star Trek Universe 40 Eridani is where Spock's home planet of Vulcan is located.

I'm really looking forward to the larger Mars this coming opposition. My big goal will be to obtain a definite view of Nix Olympus.

Most excellent! Thanks, ever so much, for posting this.

8x42's for Birding and Astronomy 10x50's, hand held or mounted, for star sweeping 20x80's, mounted (have to be), for the ultimate Milky Way experience.

Please heed Ronin's advice. When I first got into the hobby, over 35 years ago, I started off with a cheap Jason 60mm refractor on a rickety alt/az mount. I used that scope nearly every clear night and saw many amazing sites. In 1986, I bought a 250mm dobsonian. It was, and still is, a great telescope, but, due to its size, I didn't take it out nearly as often as I did the 60mm. A couple of years back, I purchased a 90mm refractor on an equatorial mount. Now I am back out observing on nearly every clear night and I have observed more objects with it than I did in the previous 28 years, using the 250mm Dob. Start off with a good pair of 10x50 bins, and take your time choosing a telescope. A giant light bucket will not be of much use, if, due to its size, you are not inclined to use it much.