Where Do I Begin? by Don Urban I'm often asked how one gets started in amateur astronomy. My response to the question usually is in the form of a statement, followed by a few simple cautions and recommendations. Don't be in a rush to purchase a telescope, visit the library and sign out a book or two on basic astronomy, and take the time to learn the sky with your naked eye. Most people don't realize it, but they were born with two telescopes that can, in a split second, focus from one inch to infinity. By now, you know that these two telescopes are your eyes. They are capable of doing things that no real telescope will ever be able to do. Your eyes have a field of view of about 110 degrees. The widest true field of view using a small telescope at low power is 5 degrees, give or take a little. Your eyes have built-in lens covers that can close and open in 1/40 of a second. They can detect variances in shades of color that are so subtle, they are totally lost when optical aide is employed. Your eyes provide you with a 3-dimensional depth of field that again is not apparent when using a telescope. If you have ever had an opportunity, from a relatively dark location, to relax and just look up at the stars in the sky and wonder how they got there, congratulations -- you have taken the first step on the path that all amateur astronomers have followed. I remember a warm summer night in 1978 while on vacation in New England. The evening started out with my wife and kids and I sitting around a campfire, listening to the sounds of birds, distant traffic, a barking dog and the muffled voices of other campers. As the clear sky gradually faded from bright blue to gray to black, tiny orange sparks from the fire floated upward. As we watched them briefly dance and then disappear, I became aware of a few tiny, bright points of light that did not move. Gradually, more and more proceeded to pop into view, filling the sky. By the time the fire had reduced itself to a bed of hot coals, I became aware of a long, thin cloud directly over my head. A cloud that did not move. A cloud that stretched from the northeast horizon to the horizon in the southwest. At one point, it was especially bright and at an-other it split in two. I had always heard mention of the Milky Way, but had never seen it. And it was not until 2 days later when we returned home, that I learned the cloud I had seen WAS the Milky Way. That night 17 years ago will never be forgot-ten. To this day when I attend star parties, even though my telescopes are set up waiting to go, I make it a practice to spend at least the first hour of darkness flat on my back on a blanket or chaise lounge, just letting my eyes drink in the light from thousands and thousands of stars. But back to the original question. To get the most pleasure from astronomy, you must be pre-pared for as many disappointments as there are rewards. For every faint galaxy, star cluster or nebula you may be lucky enough to locate, there will be one that you simply can't find or see in a small telescope. It's out there waiting for you. You simply have to LEARN how to find it. It will take time, a lot of time. This is where an inexpensive set of star charts and a LOW power eyepiece really pay dividends. Amateur astronomy is something that is learned and acquired over a lifetime. All the money in the world, spent on big telescopes and expensive eyepieces, will not provide satisfaction if you don't have the patience and dedication to take it slow and learn the sky. If you can't find the dumbbell nebula with a small telescope and a $50.00 eyepiece, what makes you think that an 18-inch telescope and a $400.00 eyepiece will make the job any easier? Many new club members have answered the question on our membership application “What can the club do for you?” with “Help me find things in the sky.” Those of us who are experienced can easily locate just about any object and then move aside for the excited newcomer to observe it for the first time. Right at this point is where the learning should begin. If you don't take the time to look where the telescope is pointed, if you don't make a mental picture of the constellations and bright stars in the vicinity of the object as it appears both naked eye AND through the Telrad or finder scope, you will not be able to find it on your next attempt. It's no wonder that telescopes, small and cheap, and large and expensive occupy dark corners of closets and garages. Their owners have given up before they even got started.