wrote in message...
...

Dear friends,

First, I want to thank you all for your replies and encouragements. I
did not expect at all that 8x42 could be used for amateur astronomy
and I am quite delighted.

@Dennis: Jupiter's moons?!?!?! I would never have imagined that. I
will try, thanks!

@ G=EMC^2 : thanks for the tip. I am scouting ebay for some cheapo
bins in the 10x50 12x50 range. I know that this is less than ideal
quality, but this is all that I can afford right now.

@Nik: I will follow on your advice and try to see Andromeda. I can
use Kstars to find it or TUBA (which Mark recommended)

@ Mark: Thanks for the TUBA tip. Though all my computers are GNU/
Linux (I never use Windows or Apple) I got TUBA and installed it via
an emulator (called WINE). It works *perfectly*. Thanks again for
the tip!

@ Saul: I expect that you Celestron 8x56 can get a *lot* more light
than my Nikon ATB Monarch in 8x42. I did consider the Nikon ATB
Monarch in 8.5x56 but I just could not afford them (I got my 8x42 at
200 bucks, so I can hardly complain about the price). I suppose that
42 vs. 56 is a huge difference, but I hope to be able to afford some
decent x56 or even x70 one day :-)

@Bill: thanks for all the info. Is there an easy way to find out
where/when to look for the ISS?

I'm sure all are "you're welcome"ing you, Mamadu!

Here's an image that shows where the ISS at any time...

http://www.heavens-above.com/

That site also gives location predictions.

HTH

happy days and...
starry starry nights!

--
Indelibly yours,
Paine Ellsworth

P.S.: Thank YOU for reading!

P.P.S.: http://painellsworth.net