[Chaos-l] introduction, equipment request

[Michael Hrivnak]

Greetings from a newbie.  I want to get into amateur astronomy, and I 
intend to be at the Morehead Planetarium observation session on Saturday 
night.  I'm moving back to the Triangle to play with the NC Symphony, I 
love science and math, and I think it's high time that I learned more 
about astronomy.

Now I need a telescope.  I've been reading buying guides, etc., and I 
think I want a good reflector in the 6-8" range.  How easy is it to find 
some decent used equipment?  I'm thinking to spend maybe a few hundred 
dollars.  I've checked websites of a couple of local shops (big bang, 
oceanside), but there is nothing used that fits my parameters.  Advice?  
Suggestions?  Where should I look?  Should I forget about used equipment 
and just buy new?

I'm sure that I'll learn a lot more about what equipment I want by going 
to some local observation sessions and going to some retailers.  In the 
mean time, I invite your advice for a novice's first purchase in the 
Triangle.

Thanks a lot,
Michael