There are a number of theories about where they come from but it is clear that they originate from outside our solar system, somewhere in deep space. Some have speculated they are fragments left over from the organization of planets that get loose from whatever gravitational pull and are sent flying across space to eventually get caught up in the gravity of our sun bringing them into our solar system. So the wider the diameter of the lens, the better a view you are going to get. So don t fall for the amplification level only. Carefully evaluate the lens size so you have the right fit for what you want to do. It Has to Stand on Its Own Feet. If you are going to set up a permanent telescope station, then you can bolt the unit down so it is well supported. Shooting Stars If you are a serious astronomy fanatic like a lot of us are, you can probably remember that one event in childhood that started you along this exciting hobby. It might have been that first time you looked through a telescope. But for many of us, it was that first time we saw a rain of fire from the sky that we eventually came to know as a meteoroid shower. There were similar movements going on in China, India, and Ancient Egypt and all over the Arabian Peninsula. Astronomy has had an impact on so many areas of our lives that we really don t recognize. Many words in our language had their roots in astronomy such as... - Influenza which comes from the Latin root word for influence. Not only knowing the weather will make sure your star gazing is rewarding but if you learn when the big meteor showers and other big astronomy events will happen will make the excitement of astronomy come alive for you. And when all is said and done, get equipped. Your quest for newer and better telescopes will be a lifelong one. - The milky was is just one of tens of billions of galaxies each of which has billions of stars in them as well. In fact, the Milky Way is one of the small galaxies. - If you wanted to drive across the Milky Way, it would take you 100,000 years. But you can t get there driving the speed limit. You have to drive five trillion, eight hundred million miles per year to get all the way across that fast.