Astronomy is a fast-growing interest and I assure you there are many others just like you feeling a bit bewildered. In this column I'll try to explain the science, practice, and equipment of astronomy in a clear and concise way, without assuming you know any of it beforehand. You'll learn what you need to know to get started, and where to go to learn more. Some of it will be very basic, some not so basic, and it's my hope that no matter what your level of knowledge you will profit from it, if nothing else by becoming aware of what needs to be explained to beginners. I hope this doesn't sound facetious, but the place to begin is the sky.
Astronomy is about the sky and what's in it.
Those are the means to an end, not the end in itself. When you moved to your present home you probably drove or walked the streets around it, getting to know the neighborhood and what's in it. With a basic guidebook, learn the most prominent stars and objects in each one. Soon you'll become more and more familiar with the sky, so that anytime you look up in the night sky you'll instantly recognize most of what's there. You'll be at home in the sky, and from there you can start exploring its wonders.