Star Points for December, 2005; by Curtis Roelle Getting Started in Astronomy for Under $100 Parents with inquisitive children often endeavor to equip their budding astronomers with the tools needed to develop their celestially oriented interests. This is where they can sometimes run into problems. One of the pitfalls is the rush to buy a telescope. Chances are the telescopes one is likely to find at discount warehouses or department stores can do more harm than good. Sure, the price may be right. But mass production manufacturers are known to take many short cuts that make a telescope almost impossible to use. For instance, the telescope may have a wobbly mount that jiggles all around in the lightest breeze. Cheap eyepieces give fuzzy views. Lack of or undersized side-mounted "finder scope" makes simple location of objects nearly impossible. And those computer- controlled telescopes. Easy to use? Guess again! Experiences like these can be a real turn off resulting in a brand new telescopes winding up in an attic, basement, or even the trash. Fortunately, bad experiences don't have to happen. Here is my three step plan for getting beginning astronomers young or old quickly up to speed for around $100 and less. The plan gives them everything they need including access to telescopes they can take home and use. Step 1. Get them a beginning astronomy book and a beginner's star atlas. There are many on the market. You need one that has information about all of the objects in the solar system -- planets, moons, asteroids, meteors, comets, the sun etc. -- and what's beyond -- stars, galaxies, nebulae, black holes etc. A few suggested astronomy books are H.A. Rey's "The Stars: A New Way to See Them" ($11.95), Leo Enright's "The Beginners Observing Guide: An Introduction to the Night Sky for the Novice Stargazer" ($19.95), Pat Price's "The Backyard Stargazer" ($19.95), or a whole host of others. Beginner star atlases range from the simple charts of Wil Tirion's "Bright Star Atlas" ($9.95) to my favorite, the "Nortons Star Atlas and Reference Handbook" ($29.95). First published in 1910 Nortons is in it's 20th edition. I still have the 15th edition on my bookshelf that I bought as a young teen. For a more complete listing visit the web sites for astronomical book publishers. Two of the best are Sky Publishing (skyandtelescope.com) and Willman Bell (willbell.com). One last word about books. Members of certain astronomy clubs can receive a 10% discount and free shipping on all astronomy books (see step 3, below). Step 2. Get them a subscription to a monthly astronomy magazine. Astronomy magazines have interesting articles and will keep them up to date on recent developments. All sky star charts, finder charts for the constantly wandering planets and the moon is included every month. There are advertisements for telescopes as well as product reviews for the discerning buyer. The two most popular magazines are (a) Sky and Telescope (skyandtelescope.com) and (b) Astronomy (kalmbach.com) magazines. Each costs $42.95 per year. However both publishers offer discounts to members of participating astronomy clubs (see step 3, below) through which subscriptions are only $32.95 and $34.00 per year, respectively. (c) Night Sky is a third magazine choice. Night Sky is aimed more at the novice observer yet still maintains much of the same content found in the more expensive and technically advanced magazines. One year of Night Sky (skyandtelescope.com) is a bargain at $17.99. Step 3. Get them a membership in a local astronomy club. An astronomy club is an excellent way to learn the ropes from experienced amateur astronomers who can offer good advice on observing and hardware such as telescope equipment. When it comes to astronomy clubs the local choice is the Westminster Astronomical Society (westminsterastro.org). The group holds monthly meetings and publishes a monthly newsletter. There are opportunities for observing at public "star parties" as well as members only observing sessions. A star party is just another name for group get togethers where members bring out the 'scopes to observe the night sky. There are also plenty of fringe benefits for members. Members can purchase any astronomy book in print at a 10% discount with free shipping (see step 1, above). Astronomy magazines are also available at steep discounts (see step 2, above). One of the best benefits for beginning astronomers is that club members have access to the club's collection of telescopes. After being checked out on the equipment a member can borrow a telescope and take it home. They can use it whenever they want without having to come to the club events. This is especially useful for young teens without driving privileges or consumers shopping around for a telescope. How many stores will allow you to take a telescope home for a month long test drive? All of this for the low price of just $25 per year. The discounts alone practically pays for the membership. As far as kids go I recommend club membership for those in Middle School and above. Because of the various locations of local club events parents will need to provide transportation for younger members. If you decide to invest in the 3-step plan I suggest starting with step 3 first. The club membership will entitle you to discounts on the other two steps. Depending on the choices made each of the items in the plan outlined above will cost between $63 and $104 after the available club discounts. So instead of rushing out and buying the first telescope you see, save money by investing in building blocks that will pay dividends as well as providing hands on access to a broad array of telescopes instead of just one wobbly little trinket telescope. You can start getting to know your local astronomy club on Friday, December 9. The Westminster Astronomical Society will be hosting a public star party with their telescopes at Bear Branch Nature Center starting at 07:30 p.m. There will also be a program in the nature center planetarium. The star party is free. For planetarium pricing and reservation information call the nature center at 410-848-2517. If you haven't seen Mars yet during the current favorable opposition, this may be your big chance, so don't miss out.