The Path to Astronomy

Get Excited Getting started in Astronomy can be one of the most exciting things you do in your life but it can also be a little overwhelming. I think the number one thing anyone can do to enjoy the hobby is to start somewhere that interest them the most. For me, it was observing some of the spectacular things in our Solar System with my first telescope. Observing Jupiter and its moon is absolutely amazing and Saturn with its rings blew my mind. However, this may not work for you. You may be into the technical gear and learning how to use it or building your own telescope. There are so many different ways to enjoy the night sky that there is probably something for everyone. The main thing is to taste a little bit and then expand from that point. Taste the Stars The very first thing you should do is find a local astronomy club and go to one of their public star parties. Local Observing Parties are great opportunities to taste the stars without spending any money. You will also f...

It was the beginning of 2016 and I was celebrating my 5 year work anniversary with the usual high fives from coworkers and congrats from managers but the company also gave me a gift. The amount was for $500 that could only be used on a contracted vendors site, but it was clear that most items were older surplus products companies needed to move out of inventory. Free is free and I wasn't going to complain. I spent a lot of time looking through the catalog without really knowing exactly what I wanted but I had recently become a father and I wanted something that would be fun for my kids as they grow older as well as something I could do around the house. I looked at golf clubs, watches, and gadgets of all kinds but nothing sparked my interest until I saw a telescope. I have always admired the night sky and the stars but I had never seen Jupiter, Saturn, Alberio, or M13 with my own eyes. I had a child like feeling come over me and after thinking about it for a day or two I finally s...