The goal of this post is to introduce newcomers to amateur-astronomy. Hopefully, it enhance the reader's enthusiasm in her area of interest and expose the reader to new aspects of the hobby. One of the great things about this hobby is that you may get in it for one reason, but you may end up doing something entirely different. Astronomy may be something you do by yourself or it may be something you share with others. It could be something you do at home, or you may travel the globe. There may not be something for everyone, but the hobby is more diverse than just looking at the stars with a telescope.
What follows is a brief description of the various activities in which amateur astronomers engage. Links to more detailed information will be provided on this board or in other more relevant boards. For example, the equipment board will have a sticky topic for beginners regarding telescopes, eyepieces, and mounts.
The first and most important piece of advice that will be offered is to engage with your local astronomy club. Even if your preference is to pursue the hobby on your own, engaging with the local club will give you the opportunity to look through different types of telescopes and observe a variety of objects before you incur the expense of purchasing equipment on your own that may not fit your interests. Amateur astronomers are typically extremely generous when it comes to helping newcomers and sharing our love of the night sky with others. The local club will likely do two things that will help you get started. They will probably engage in something referred to as outreach on a periodic basis. I've seen this be something that happens as infrequently as just a few times a year, to something that the club engages in multiple times per week. Outreach events are normally open to all and typically occur near where people live to make it convenient for the public. The other activity the club will probably offer is a monthly 'star party' at a site away from city lights. Going to both types of events will give you an idea of what you can see from urban or suburban locations and rural locations. Additionally, you'll probably get the opportunity to look through and at different types of telescopes to get a feel for how easy each type is to setup and move around in addition to how various objects appear.
Curiosity about the objects in the night sky is the main draw to the hobby for newcomers. With reasonable expectations, you will be amazed at what you can see. No object is going to look as good as the photos you see with large professional telescopes, but in even modest telescopes you will be able to not only see details on Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, but you will be able to observe other galaxies, the remains of stars that have exploded, and stellar nurseries. In typical amateur telescopes most of these objects will not appear in color because most are too dim to trigger the color receptors in your eye called 'the cones'. What exactly you are able to observe will depend on the instrument you use, the sky conditions in your observing location, unsurprisingly your own eyes, and your skill as an observer. You can head over to the beginner observing topic for more information. The beginner's equipment topic contains more details as well.
You may be initially drawn to something other than visual observing or you may find that you drift to other interests after some time. The two most common secondary or additional interest areas are probably astrophotography and telescope making.
With the rise of digital imaging, the amateur astronomer has the ability to capture images like never before. Amateurs can capture amazing images, and using CCD cameras amateurs can contribute to real scientific study in many areas including extra-solar planet hunting, variable star measurements, and asteroid hunting. Astrophotography requires special equipment and techniques. You can find more information in the beginner's sticky on the astrophotography board.
If you like to work with your hands and build things you might find yourself interested in amateur telescope making. This activity takes many forms. It is possible for amateurs to grind and polish their own mirrors and lenses. They build telescopes out of metal and wood, and they design electronic control systems for their telescopes. Head over to the ATM (amateur telescope making) board for more information.
Some amaeturs enjoy the hobby in the solitude of their own back yard, and others travel the country or around the world. You can observe under the stable skies of the Florida Keys in January, or you can attend the Stellafane or Riverside Telescope Maker's Conference events which are famous for amateur telescopes. Others travel the world chasing after total solar eclipses. Take a look at the sticky on the star parties board for more information.
The beginner's equipment guide starts
here.
