Casual Astronomy for Passionate People

In the world of culinary experiences, there are moments of pure delight, where flavors dance harmoniously on the palate, and there are those encounters that leave one questioning the very essence of taste itself. There was one instance, that left me vulnerable and in peril, and it started with the consumption of a particular spicy confection. Image Source: SpongePedia              Earlier today, I had just finished enjoying my left over pizza. My breath had a lingering aroma of onions and garlic, and washing the taste down with black coffee had little effect. My wife reached into her pocket; the sound of cellophane turning over her in her deep denim abyss reached my ears, and I shuttered. "Try this." She said, smiling through her teeth, as she opened her hand to reveal a site I had not anticipated. In the palm of her hand laid a smooth and glossy disk, overlayed with a red and white spiral, neatly wrapped in plastic, presumably to preserve it...

Credit: Hulton Archive/ Getty Images                For as long as humans have been around, we have been captivated by the myriad of twinkling stars and mysterious wonders above us. There is something inside our very beings that draws us toward the unknown. For many, that desire to stare into the night sky can spark an interest in seeking out the perfect telescope to embark on their celestial journey. This pivotal decision can either lead you down the path to unlocking the beauty in the stellar ocean above us, or leave you confused and lost at sea. As a casual astronomer, I find that most articles I come across are just well written sales pitches, likely to lead their readers to make a big purchase, before truly understanding the essentials, paramount to making an informed decision. There is A LOT to know about telescopes... but only a few crucial details to consider before pulling out your credit card. Where do you live? Photo Credit: REUTER...

Photo by den-belitsky/iStock           Who hasn't looked up into the night sky and wondered, "What really goes on up there?" As long as human beings have existed, we've gazed upon wondrous starry nights and have drawn meaning and purpose from their seemingly endless display across a black canvas. From our planet to the outer reaches of our solar system, past our own Milky Way to the galaxies, nebulae, and quasars beyond, I am about to embark on a journey to better understand the Cosmos, and possibly encourage a few people along the way. This last Holiday, my thoughtful wife decided to splurge and get me the gift of sight. No, I'm not talking about new glasses or laser eye surgery. On December 25, 2023, I opened an extraordinarily large box to find a classic  Dobsonian  telescope. My passion and appreciation for space and science has been a huge part of my daily life, for a majority of the last ten years. Ah... but there is a big difference be...