I am new to astronomy and new to the group too.  I have recently purchased an Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ and have been doing some back yard observing.  Before purchasing I did some quite a bit of research but didn't want to make to big of financial commitment.  So far (its only been a week) I have observed Orion's Nebula, the Pleiades, and Jupiter and its 4 Galilean moons.  Was very impressed with the results I got from a light polluted place like Houston.

I have always been interested in the science of astronomy and physics.  I have been reading "A Brief History in Time" and watching the History Channel's "the Universe" which I have on Blu-Ray.

Look forward to chatting w/ all of you and learning from you experience.

Regards,

Matt

Welcome!

The only advice I can give you as a long-time amatuer astronomer is:

Be skeptical of everything.

That inludes (especially) mainstream cosmological theories.  Explore alternative theories...read voraciously, and enjoy every minute.

Ever heard of Halton Arp?  Google him.  Go to his website.

How about Jaylant Narlikar?  Ernst Mach?  For example, did you know that Einstein was unhappy because his GTR (General Theory of Relativity) wasn't Machian?  If not, look it all up.  Read, read, read.

Don't believe everything you see on the Discovery channel, the History channel, the (fill in the blank) channel.  Educate yourself and form your own opinions. 

Who were Wilson and Penzias (sp?) 1965, the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation.  Is it a remnant of the Big Bang, or just the natural background temperature of thermalized deep space?  Read, and make your own decision.

And especially, good luck!

Regards, Zug

Orion gives you great value for the cost.  I have their 25x100mm jumbo binoculars and several eyepieces for my 8" Celestron.

Happy viewing!

See http://www.galaxyzoo.org/ if you have time, you may be interested.

Thanks for the replies.

In response to Zug's comment:  I am by nature a skeptic.  I have read and watched quit a bit recently and have seen several contradicting theories; this in my mind make one thing crystal clear, "they just don't know for sure".  We are all armatures in that regard.  This to me adds to the intrigue and the excitement.

Lot's to learn.