Astronomical Observing 101 (or before)

One of our clan members sent me a PM a month ago about wanting to get into astronomy and wanted some tips. Here I present the original question and answer. Rather than doing this through PM's, I felt that others might also want to know more about this. Plus, if I screw up in something that I tell them, there will probably be folks, more knowledgeable than I am, to correct me or add stuff that I forgot!

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I am seriously considering the purchase of a telescope, and I know you are a big astronomy buff, so I thought you would be a prime candidate to ask some questions to.

First off, I am a SUPER beginner. I don't know where to start as far as what I would need on a qualtiy scope, what lense, computerized/not computerized, prices vs quality...

I have soo many questions and am having a hard time finding some good quality, down-to-earth (no pun intended) answers.

Can you just tell me a little bit about beginning star-gazing and possibly a bit about telescopes in general. I would really like to be able to see Saturn and Nebulas, along with constellations.

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To which my answer was:

First, this will be a multi-phased information process. Second, I am not an expert, so don't be afraid to question my suggestions.

Here are my first suggestions.

1. Get a GOOD pair of 10x50 binoculars. They are great, easy to use and you can see some of the nebulas and star clusters that are fun to view.
2. Get some books. I like the following and they are not outrageously expensive:
3. Collin Pocket Guide - Stars and Planets by Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion
4. 365 Starry Nights by Chet Raymo
5. More Expensive and more technical is Norton's Star Atlas and Reference Handbook edited by Ian Ridpath (mine is a 19th edition).
6. The Cambridge Star Atlas by Wil Tirion. Very detailed but not super easy to use.

Start with this. Use the binoculars to find stuff and learn the constellations.

More to come!!!!!

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To the above, I would also suggest picking up a copy of Sky and Telescope magazine (my preference) or Astronomy magazine. The star charts in there are for the current month and will help identify a lot of the current stuff (like Jupiter being in the southern sky right now).

The use of binoculars will even let you see the moons of Jupiter, if you are steady enough. One of the charts in magazine will show which moons are to the right and which to the left of Jupiter or are transitting (crossing the face of the planet) or being eclipsed (passing the far side of the planet). This changes daily!

Hopefully this a good start and if others want to ask questions, feel free, just don't expect me to be an expert, just another fan of the heavens.