One of the most common questions asked of amateur astronomers is advice on purchasing a telescope.
Many considerations are necessary to choose a proper instrument.
A few of those considerations are detailed here. Consider the requirements of the special interest and potential uses of the telescope after the event is past. The user has some knowledge of the breadth of astronomy as a science, maybe from a college or adult education class. There has been some contact with active amateur astronomers, perhaps through a local astronomy club. While there is no specific area of particular interest, the user has had an opportunity to look at astronomical objects through a telescope.