"Dave" wrote in message
om...
Hi all. I have just purchased a beginner telescope for my 10 y/o
daughter (and myself) for Christmas. I got a Hardin 6" dobsonian
reflector. I have always had an interest in astronomy but have never
purchased (or used by myself) a telescope. I think I have 2 primary
questions. What will the initial setup be like. Right now I have 2
boxes, which I haven't cracked (poor word choice) open yet. I was
planning on getting it ready for use on Christmas Day eve. How much
time should I plan on taking for initial setup? Hours? Days (nights)?
What are some quick and easy sights to see for the first night's
viewing. The Moon is not available then. Saturn? Others?

Thanks for any replies,

No idea for set-up times I'm afraid. But as for things to look for I'd
recommend

Seven Sisters (M45) aka the Pleiades
Orions sword (M42)
Saturn

Keep the magnification low for the first two. With a Dob, you have to
manually keep things in view, so start with objects you can view in a 25mm
eyepiece - you don't say what eyepieces you have in the boxes so I assume
you'll have something like a 25mm, a 10mm and a 2x Barlow.

Without a motor drive you'll want to practice locating in a 25mm EP,
centering and swapping to a higher power EP. This way you'll be able to find
things and show them to your daughter before they move out of view. Taking
things in the order suggested will give you practice in this before you try
and look at Saturn under relatively high power to see the rings.

I envy you your first views-
clear skies