Believe it or not, a great many thing are visible to the unaided eye. Comets, meteors and various other objects are visible to the unaided eye. While you are out, check out the temperature. It is often best seeing when it is very cold (in Ohio). Invest in some cloths which allow you to be comfortable while standing outside for an hour or more.

At a meeting or stargaze you will be able to speak with several amateur astronomers. Each astronomer will have their own thoughts on astronomy, telescopes, and the best way to observe. Everyone in the group will tell you about their favorite "thing" in astronomy. You will be allowed to explore the universe through other astronomers experiences. While at a stargaze, you will be able to visit the universe through various types and sizes of telescopes.

My wife Joann and I have been amateur astronomers for several years. We have many books and periodicals on Astronomy. Two books which I particularly like are: The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Dickerson and Dyer ISBN 0-921820-11-9, the other Turn Left At Orion by Guy Consolmagno and Dan Davis ISBN 0-521-48211-9. The former is what I like to call the "World Book Encyclopedia" of astronomy. It has a very easy to read format and covers a lot of information about astronomy. The latter is a very basic sky atlas. It provides sectional drawings of the sky, with directions for finding interesting objects. The book also provides seeing conditions needed and rates the difficulty of finding a particular object.

Of course no review of literature would be complete without the two greats, Astronomy and Sky & Telescope Magazines. For those of you who are outside the US, I apologize for not having more information for you.

If after this exercise, you decide to continue, my next suggestion is to get a set of binoculars. I recommend a good set of 7x50 from an astronomy or sporting goods store. You will notice quickly that some type of mounting, like a camera tripod, is desirable. Two reasons for the tripod are: 1) Your arms get tired of holding the binoculars. 2) Your arms are a lot more shaky than you think. The shakiness by the way is why you don't want lots of power (the 7 is the power in the 7x50, and the 50 is the millimeter diameter of the objective (front) lens).

As I have suggested on other pages, attend a startgaze or Astronomy Club meeting. Alternatively, connect up with some amateur astronomers on the internet. Buying a telescope can be a very personal thing, similar to the type of clothes one buys. But, no mater what style of telescope you purchase there are some basic guidelines.

Buy a telescope which will get used. If the telescope sits in the corner all year, it is not providing you any enjoyment.
Buy a telescope with a steady mount. All telescopes mounts shake to some degree. A quality scope mount will "settle down" in less then a second, and not "earth quake" each time you touch it.
Low magnification is generally better. High magnification (the "X" in sales literature) implies narrow field of view (kind of like tunnel vision). "Tunnel vision" exaggerates any shake the mount has, and makes it difficult to find objects in the night sky.
Large objectives are generally better. Objectives are the front lens or mirror of a telescope. The larger the objective, the more light it gathers. Many sky objects are very dim, and benefit from large objectives. But don't forget, the bigger the scope the harder it will be to set up, you want a scope you will use.
Take your time when purchasing, this is a long term investment. We (my wife Joann is also an amateur astronomer) had our first telescope for 5 years before we "upgraded". Cared for, a scope will last a life time, and provide a life time of enjoyment.

I would now like to point you to the purchasing page which was donated by Gary Pike of the Stillwater Stargazers.