What telescope should I get? ?

I had a 4.5" Meade at your age, which was perfect for what I wanted to do - look at stuff, take a few quick pictures. A Dobsonian mount is best; you want the largest primary mirror you can get, and Dobsonians have cheap mounts so you're mostly paying for optics.

I had a 4.5" Meade at your age, which was perfect for what I wanted to do - look at stuff, take a few quick pictures. A Dobsonian mount is best; you want the largest primary mirror you can get, and Dobsonians have cheap mounts so you're mostly paying for optics.

The best telescope you can get for $300 is a 6-inch or 8-inch reflector on a Dobsonian mount. Here are a few web pages with good information on beginner's telescopes: http://www.gaherty.ca/tme/TME0702_Buying_a_Telescope.pdf http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html http://observers.org/beginner/j.r.f.beginner.html For more advanced information, read Phil Harrington's Star Ware, 4th edition (Wiley). You'll get the greatest value for your money with a Newtonian reflector on a Dobsonian mount, such as these: http://www.telescope.com/control/category/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes/~VIEW_INDEX=0/~VIEW_SIZE=1000000 http://www.skywatchertelescope.net/swtinc/product.php?class1=1&class2=106 Buy from a store which specializes in telescopes and astronomy, either locally or online; don't buy from department stores, discount stores or eBay as mostly what they sell is junk. Find your local astronomy club and try out different telescopes at one of their star parties: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations I strongly recommend that beginners steer clear of astrophotography until they have learned their way around the sky. Astrophotography is by far the most expensive and difficult area of amateur astronomy. Many people who buy telescopes have no idea how to find interesting things to observe. A good introduction to finding things is NightWatch by Terence Dickinson (Firefly). A more advanced book is Star Watch by Phil Harrington (Wiley).

For just a bit over $300, and a very good value (and a scope you can use for quite a while before you ''outgrow'' it) - try the source.

Along with the other great suggestions - get this book as well. It's a great introductory guide on the hobby and has a nice selection on how to choose your first telescope. http://www.amazon.com/NightWatch-Practical-Guide-Viewing-Universe/dp/1552093026

This one seems like it would be good for you: http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-675x45-reflector-comp.html

For just a bit over $300, and a very good value (and a scope you can use for quite a while before you ''outgrow'' it) - try the source.

Along with the other great suggestions - get this book as well. It's a great introductory guide on the hobby and has a nice selection on how to choose your first telescope. http://www.amazon.com/NightWatch-Practical-Guide-Viewing-Universe/dp/1552093026

This one seems like it would be good for you: http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-675x45-reflector-comp.html