It began

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 selected it.

I have used that telescope, a Meade 80MM refractor, a lot and still use it on occasion. In fact, it was the main telescope my family and I used for the Total Solar Eclipse this past August, with an attached home made solar filter. It was the first to show me Jupiter and its moons, Mars, Venus, and Saturn (which still leaves me speechless). It would then show me the Ring Nebula and other dazzling deep sky objects. The refractor will show my kids the same wonders as they grow up and, with the right care, my grandkids.

The simple choice of following that feeling I got when I saw a telescope on a vendors website has brought a wonderful passion into my life. This blog will be a way for me to document some of the things I observe but mainly as a way for me to look back and see the steps I took to find my path to a Hobbyist Astronomer and beyond. My time for observing is limited to about 1 or 2 nights a month as my family is young and the Mrs. and I are very active and share responsibilities in evenings to get the kiddos to bed. 

The next few posts will be a recap of what I have learned over the last few years with varying resources, but I have to admit it won't take too many posts to get there 😁. I will also write about the newer equipment I have accumulated and a few observing sessions, one of which was The Great American Total Solar Eclipse of 2017.  After I have completed my recap I will move into my current goals and how it will truly take anyone from Newb to Hobbyist to Amateur. I hope you will enjoy following my path from Newb to Hobbyist and that it may help others along the same journey.