Just bought a telescope, waiting for it to arrive.

[Randomness5678 1]

I just purchased the Celestron Astromaster 130 eq-md and the Celestron Eyepiece Kit. It is a "huge" step up from my 2.4" refractor. My only question is what to do in the meantime. Do you know any good astronomy websites that I can get info from? Also, what should I look at when I get it? I live in the eastern US and don’t have the "darkest skies" but I could find a site nearby if needed. Thanks.

Clear Skies

-Rand0m

[wookie1965 2,292]

http://www.astronomer.eu/

http://cseligman.com/text/moons/moonmap.htm

here is a couple of websites that might interest you.

[VigdisVZ 621]

Congratulations on your new kit!

http://www.12dstring.me.uk/foveyepiece.php

http://www.ap-i.net/skychart/start

http://www.stellarium.org/

[Moonshane 11,987]

What about www.stargazerslounge.com

[onesmallstep 145]

Hi and welcome to SGL

Congrats on your new scope, you've probably got kid-at-Christmas syndrome and can't wait to use it.

I'm a great believer in clubs and societies so have found the link below listing same in the USA, just filter information by interest and/or state / city and choose from the list. By attending / joining a club you will have a network of like-minded people who can offer help and advice and an organisation which may have access to resources including a dark-sky site.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations

HTH!

[Randomness5678 1]

What about www.stargazerslounge.com

Hmm... might give it a try

[Ganymede12 361]

What about www.stargazerslounge.com

I'm not sure. Some of the members do like to give you misinformation!

[LukeSkywatcher 13,473]

Congrats on your new scope and EP kit. Nice gear that should keep you VERY happy for a few yrs (until aperture fever kicks in).

The worst part about buying a scope etc, is the wait. You will find yourself looking out the window many times a day to see if a delivery truck is pulling up.

A great free program to download to your computer is Stellarium. You can find where and when objects are visible.

http://www.stellarium.org/

Edited October 12, 2012 by LukeSkywatcher

[Brighton Belle 29]

all I can say is thank god you live in the USA not the UK, the cloud which comes free in the box with every new purchase will not affect us!!

Clear skies!

[L8-Nite 2,137]

Welcome to the forums.

Google ..... " Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews " - lots of activity in your region.

I really like Stargazers lounge though.

[breezy 173]

sounds like a good bundle, im sure you will enjoy it.

hmmmm will the clouds in a box effect work over such a great distance??

[jabberwocky 453]

I m currently waiting on an eyepiece to arrive so I know how you feel, never had to wait for a scope to arrive though, did it the old fashioned way and walked into a shop and said 'ill have that one please'

[Demo johnny 32]

The wait for the scope, it arrives, you build it up and have a look through it during the day getting all excited. Then......... a week of blumming clouds. I sold my scope while saving for a bigger one and hey what do you know the night it went had clearest skies in 3 weeks. Still not got the new scope yet but picked up a wee 105etx pe to tide me over.

Good times ahead with your new toy.

Check out itunes u if you have an ipad etc there are some good free courses.