Great Expectations

As the holidays unfold, we can be certain that a multitude of shoppers are weighing the decision of putting a telescope under the tree for a loved one. As seasoned amateur astronomers, we often try to provide advice on potential purchases to friends and strangers alike on social media. Increasingly there are good resources made available by the amateur community on what is a good starter scope for the newbie in hopes of avoiding a “hobby killer.”

Unfortunately, the seed of a budding amateur astronomer can be poisoned even more thoroughly than any poor telescope long before the instrument finds its way into their hands. It comes about when they develop expectations that are impossible to meet. It’s often said in business that to “under promise and over deliver” leads to a happy customer, but sadly that axiom is often turned on its head when it comes to starting off exploring the heavens.

APOD from 12/03/2021

Don’t take umbrage, but one of the primary offenders is the experienced amateur astronomer amplified by social media. While it is certainly not done by intent, posting those amazing pictures of what’s up there readily kindles a desire to replicate that. Some folks will also assume that they can actually see that object with their eye, having no understanding of the power of a CMOS chip in gathering up photons. The photo does not come with a disclaimer of how many years the author has been at this, nor the investment they have sunk into their equipment. The uninitiated will assume that the same technological magic they find in their phone will make creating their own picture of the Cygnus Loop a breeze (or at least doable.)

The other, and in my opinion bigger, contributor to inflated expectations is the media. In the good old days, one had a better sense of what sources of news were reputable. If the tabloid in the supermarket checkout line had 72pt type headline declaring “Super Blood Moon to Appear!” you were suspicious. If Sky & Telescope had “Best Lunar Eclipse of Year” you knew you could bank on it. But now, thanks to the digital revolution and lack of standards, anyone can be an author (including your humble blogger) without benefit of an editor. That can be a good thing in making voices heard, but it also opens the door to hyperbole in the pursuit of new content and clicks. You need look no further than the hubbub over Comet Leonard this month. Yes, it has technically been a naked eye object, but only if you were observing from a dark sky venue. For the vast majority of readers Comet Leonard is not going to be visible. I personally could not even catch it with 7x50 binoculars in the pre-dawn sky a couple weeks ago given the light pollution in Towson.

Is this even an actual image of Leonard??

What to do? One of the best things is to afford the curious a chance to actually look through a telescope in a suburban setting. HAL does a great job of this and should be commended for their persistent efforts to host star party events for the public. But you can do some sidewalk astronomy right from your own sidewalk. Maybe instead of hiding out in the darker back yard put the rig out in front of the house shortly after dusk as the neighbors are taking fido for his walk. Let them take a peek at the Orion Nebula or M15.

HAL Public Star Party 2021

 
 

You can also offer a (gentle) reality check in the comment sections of the social media posts that are overselling a celestial event. You can still be upbeat about the occurrence but let people know if certain equipment or experience is going to be needed. Inform them that that total solar eclipse this month is indeed an awesome sight to behold, but you’ll need to be in Antarctica to have a ringside seat.

Finally, if you are on social media, consider posting some of your images and experiences along with a few words about what went into achieving it. When you find a good article about getting started in amateur astronomy, share it. If you see someone starting off in the hobby, offer words of encouragement. You won’t be able to dispel every inflated claim made by astronomical B. T. Barnums, but if you establish your cred as a bona fide amateur astronomer, that person who is wondering if they might enjoy astronomy as a hobby will seek you out – and they will be in good hands.

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.