I came across this site totally by accident this morning. I belong to the NEXSTAR and StarryNight groups.

I have always wanted a telescope -- since I was a kid -- many years ago. I teach mathematics and physics at a local college in Toronto, but have never owned a telescope.

But this was the year where my wife [and I] bought me a Celestron NEXTSTAR 8E. It is sitting downstairs waiting for me to put it together. There is a lot of snow outside -- and it has been very cloudy lately -- so even when I get it together -- there probably won't be much to look at.

We live in a new subdivision so looking WEST, the sky is wide open, not bad NORTH or SOUTH -- EAST looks back at the subdivision. If I could take my telescope out on the mounds behind my house it would be great -- but probably will be very difficult to get a flat area to position the telescope.

Anyway, just thought I would check in and let you know there are some newbies out here doing their thing for the first time --