Telescopes are scientific instruments. Though you maybe able to buy a telescope for under $100 in a toy store, it is still a scientific instrument. Most people new to astronomy want to buy a telescope, and 2 routes are taken. Either a person will buy a telescope that is from a toy store or they will invest in a good telescope.



Either way it does not mean that buying a telescope will give you much enjoyment. Imagine for a moment, you buy a telescope and now you have quite a good telescope, in fact you buy the best telescope. Now you point the telescope up in the sky and see the Moon, and perhaps find some of the planets in our Solar System. But, now what? You try to look at some of the shinning points of light in the night sky, and they simply look like bigger round points. At this point the telescope gets put into the shed and starts to gather dust.

Stop! You can buy a telescope and get the full benefits. If the world is like an Oyster, full of opportunity, then the Universe contains the same! There is so much to see outside of this world. To see all of the beauty of the Universe and at the same time have many countless years of enjoyment from a telescope, a few things will be needed.

Here is where something often not thought of becomes necessary - star maps. Star maps are simply amazing essentials for astronomy. A star map contains information about where all the major objects are in the night sky. Navigation then becomes an essential in long term enjoyment of astronomy. Without star maps, we often will find that we leave the telescope gathering dust.

Buying telescopes then becomes secondary. If you have a budget leave some money towards the books that will help you get a longer term enjoyment of astronomy. Add to this a notebook and you are in a winning time viewing the heavens. You could have the worst telescope on Earth, but with the knowledge of where to look, and a notebook to record your findings in, you will have an amazing time with astronomy, and each day will contain major discoveries for you.

Books such as Turn Left At Orion have made a major impact in amateur astronomy. Having a road map of the nebula, the galaxies, and other objects that a small amateur telescope can view is simply amazing. It will make a big difference in the time you spend with astronomy. It could be the difference of a few month fad to a rewarding hobby that lasts a lifetime.