Celestial Oenology

It's the holiday season and, like every year, thousands of people will be convinced that they want to take up astronomy as a hobby. Even before Thanksgiving this year I've had two people reach out to me for advice on what telescope they should buy for a loved one (or perhaps in truth the scope is for themselves as well as the loved one). Facebook teems with posts asking the same question. Unfortunately there is no easy answer to the question of "what's the best starter telescope?" because it is a nuanced question with a variety considerations. 

Suppose that instead of exploring the universe you were taken by the idea of exploring the world of wines. Perhaps you had a friend who introduced you to a couple of nice wines at a dinner party. They skillfully chose the wine and paired it with some good food to create a delightful experience.

The Party Introduction

Or maybe it is those posts on social media or articles in a magazine you thumbed through in the doctor's waiting room. They tease at this world of tasting & enjoying wine that convinces you that you want to explore this hobby. 

Whatever the trigger, you are sure this is worth pursuing and you want to purchase a corkscrew to enable you to enter this realm. But which one is best? An inexpensive and rudimentary one may only be good if your are skillful enough to wield it. An expensive one with bells and whistles may work for any bottle but likely requires you to read the manual thoroughly to use it properly, spending as much time opening the bottle as consuming it. A simple but efficient opener should allow you to master its use quickly and serve to open many bottles of wine.

With your new tool to open the oenophilic world your next step is to target some wines, so off to the liquor store. The array of choices can lead to analysis paralysis. Red or white? Fruity or dry? Each category of wine seems to have its own characteristics and proponents. You might ask your friends who already enjoy wine what their favorites are and try sampling some for yourself. Or perhaps you follow the recommendations in a magazine or good book to start you on your exploration. As you sample the varieties you find you're drawn to some more than others and become passionate about locating ever more examples of your favorite. You also might find that keeping a log with notes about the wines you've tried helps improve your appreciation of them.

After some time you become aware of accessories that can possibly deepen your enjoyment of your favorite varieties. You open up your wallet and start to add to your armamentarium of wine tools. Some prove to be useful for any bottle you select, while others have more specialized application. 

So let's distill what our theoretical journey into Oenology can offer the budding amateur astronomer:

1.  When picking a telescope you should probably avoid inexpensive models that will frustrate you and likewise expensive models that will likely baffle you. Somewhere between $300 to $1000 should net you a quality starter telescope that can give years of pleasure, even after you upgrade.
   
   
2. Figuring out what to view is challenging so consider asking other amateurs what they enjoy, or pick up a copy of a book that is geared towards initial exploring of the universe. Just like wine is an "acquired taste" with many glasses needed before you can discern those subtle flavors of a vintage, examining faint fuzzies or planetary features is an acquired skill. The more you observe them and read about them the more subtle details you'll uncover and savor.
   
   
3. Just as your wallet will dictate whether you can afford to taste the more subtle and exotic wines, your budget will also influence your ability to experience the heavens. If you are smitten by seeing features of Jupiter and Mars then sharp optics, tracking mount, and a video camera are in order. If you yearn to see the spiral arms in M51 then a large Dobsonian will fill the bill. But they will mean a financial commitment.
   
   
4. Just as oenophiles gather at wine tastings to share sips and opinions, amateur astronomers benefit greatly from joining a club and getting out under the stars together where they can share views.
   
   
5. Accessories can make your hobby more enjoyable and enhance what you taste/see. Do your research before making a purchase by reading reviews online or checking with club members who already use the item, but gadgets are part of the fun.

Go ahead and take the plunge into the world of amateur astronomy - it can provide you years of enjoyment and new friends that share your enthusiasm.