I am a rank amateur when it comes to the night sky. A dear friend peaked my interest in viewing the Cosmos by letting me gaze into his 8" Mak-Cass scope. I already had a rather inexpensive 6" Newtonian (I sure got what I paid for. The controls did not work). I purchased a 8" Newtonian and have been very pleased at what I can see in the night sky. I know I will have plenty of questions as time passes.