HELP!!!

I have always wanted a telescope and to my surprise I got one for my wedding anniversary
but I am having a few teething problems like to start with.....what am I looking at ???? and please dont say stars

I am located in the north of England and a slight problem is a large hedge around my garden ( no I am not cutting it down )

which direction do you think I need to point it in to get the best views?
does anyone know of any good star watching web sites that will help me?

Please!!!!!

Errr... I'm not the best person to comment - I set up Princess Leia's telescope a few months ago so we could look at an old chuch that we used to live near by but is now a few miles away on top of a hill. It's lovely standard telescopes (nothing fancy but does a good job). Anyway, PL walked into the room and found me standing on top of a chair, almost doubled over, craning over the lens to try and see through it without literally falling straight over the entire thing .

I commented that it was the only way to use the extra strength magnifying lens as the lens jutted out at 90 degrees from the telescope. She just looked at me like I had just landed in a UFO, strolled over to the telescope and twisted the lens so it was at a normal angle so amateur acrobatics weren't required to see through it. :blush: As you can see, I'm no expert.

What I can say is that the easiest stellar object (and very rewarding to look at too) is the moon. Easy target, lots to look at and generally fascinating!

Have fun Dax, sounds like a great pressie!

i get my monthly sky maps from the bbc HERE

WOW!! thanks BB, that is a great link looks like I may not be around for a while then its going to take me a while to work out the dots to start with
looks dead interesting, cheers

I have a good view of the stars as I live in a valley away from towns. I have an attic room with great voews of the sky too but no telescope. I have looked at the moon through 10x8 binoculars and it was amazing!

Hmmm, bought my father a telescope, but he went blind before he had a chance to use it. I've not had the heart to ask if I can scrounge it.

Anyway, my neighbours think I'm weird enough (what with torchlit Sabbat celebrations and assorted 'survivalist' preperations) without me setting up a telescope as well.

Eg: Last night I was filling 2x46 Gal water containers with a mild steralising (s) solution to keep them clean and ballasted. My neighbour "why ?" Me "because you NEVER know"..... Mwaaaaaaa And last week, sharpening up assorted edged weapons...

Ogre

Just get a telescope Ogre and tell your neighbours that you are waiting for invasion fleets

Ogre

i couldnt get on with my mum and dads telescope, but my bino's are superb the moon is an excellent place to start but seeing planets is fantastic, there i go sounding like a nerd you're liable to get obsessed, i've been known to watch NASA/ESA tv, generally not considered cool my mates call me a perv cos i stand on my window-sill looking through binoculars

Of course you're not a perv Bog Babe, but I understand that accidents can happen

the moon looks great tonight, a really clear sky.......but we know what that means too blooming cold to stand outside

Where's your sense of adventure Dax

you'll have to get some thermals the sky is at it's best in the winter

tell me about it!! gosh its been really cold up here but the sky has been amazing

Aye, its been getting bitter at night down here in darkest Wales too. Nice moon though.