But this impression is altogether wrong and unnecessary. Many other hobbies that have magazines, conventions, and vigorous club scenes have developed effective ways to welcome and orient beginners. For starters, novice astronomers would have more success if a few simple, well-chosen direction signs were posted for them at the beginning of the trail. Pooling thoughts from nearly 100 years of collective experience answering the phone and mail, we came up with a list of pointers to help newcomers past the pitfalls and onto the straightest route to success. Ransack your public library.
Astronomy is a learning hobby.
Its joys come from intellectual discovery and knowledge of the cryptic night sky. But you have to make these discoveries, and gain this knowledge, by yourself. In other words, you need to become self-taught. The public library is the beginner's most important astronomical tool. Comb through the astronomy shelf for beginner's guides.