How to use my Nikon D3000?

I have a Nikon D3000 and I know the basics about it but it was a random gift so I never really knew anything about cameras or how to use them. I want to take pictures of the clouds and moon and stars at night and was wondering what I have to do to capture them? Or what setting to put it on. I tried googling this all and reading the manual but it's just too complicated

I would use a tripod and use an iso setting of about 800 to limit how long your shutter needs to stay open. Given that it's a digital camera ( the same one I have) go ahead and experiment to your hearts content. That is the best way to learn anything.

Well you can pretty much take the easy way out and keep your camera on Auto mode, then just take pictures with the shutter button like you would any other camera. If you really want to learn about using it to its full potential, though, search Google for basic camera tutorials and lessons. Possibly go out and get a book like dSLRs for Dummies or beginner camera books. Learn about the basics of apertures, shutter speeds, and other things.

Stay away from auto mode when taking pictures of the moon and stars. It will either over expose the moon or underexpose the stars.
For the moon, put the aperture at f/8 and the shutter at 1/100 maybe 1/200 and have the iso at around 800
For stars, put the aperture at the widest, shutter speed at 25-30 seconds and iso at 800 or 1600.
You will need a tripod for this and I suggest you set a timer, so the vibration from clicking the shutter button doesn't blur the image.
As for clouds, just look at the light meter. You may want to have it a little underexposed to get more detail from the clouds.

If you want to shoot the star at night and create amazing star trail, look at this tutorial.

http://www.liquidinplastic.com/2008/06/startrails/

If you would like to read more about photography and get more tips, you can also take a look at this great site http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/...olour.com/

Have fun!