Earlier this year, my 8yr old Son and I got a telescope (Zhumell Z8) and have seen many wonders... things that I never had any idea that one could see so directly for so "cheap" (one can be gotten for about $350 shipped). The ring nebula (Messier object 57) is definitely one of the top 3 things that we've observed so far, and alone is well worth getting into amateur astronomy for.To see something like this "with your own eye" (aside from it reflecting onto a mirror and into a magnifying eyepiece) can put you into touch with parts of your psyche and consciousness that no image could ever touch.If you should feel an urge to look into it, I offer the following brief advice... get the telescope with the biggest aperture (big aroundness, more or less) that you can afford. "Dobsonians" are what I would advise. Orion has some smaller ones (4, 6, 8 in), but are a little high on shipping... if you can make the jump to 8 (considered a super solid starting point), you can get the Zhumell, which comes with extra, very worthwhile accessories for cheaper.Also, check out a couple of good books like Nightwatch and Turn Left At Orion to get started.