Do not see a thread dedicated specifically to astronomy, so i'll go head and make one. Feel free to post questions, comments, or blurbs related to our solar system, stars, and galaxies.

I currently work in Science education with a emphasis on Astronomy, so I'll do the best of my ability to chime in now and then.

Any generic advice or web resources for a beginner with a telescope?

Describe the telescope.

Check out Sky and Telescope Magazine

Also don't look at the Sun.

Thanks!

This one:
http://www.celestron.com/browse-shop...70az-telescope

Spank:
Start off with the easy objects, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, The Orion Nebula. Find a viewing site with dark skies. Get an astronomy app for your tablet/phone.
I prefer reflector scopes but that's a start.
Good luck and may you have dark and clear skies.

Also, use the directions supplied with the telescope. It is really embarrassing if you forget to put an eyepiece in and complain about having difficulty focusing.

Not that I have done that, of course.

Any guidance or advice on how to get ones feet wet in a career in Astronomy would be greatly appreciated..I recently became a member w/the Planetary Society & have been a star geek for ages. Also I'm becoming increasingly more interested in occurrences that are taking place in our galaxy & beyond. I'm currently unable to afford the conventional degree route such as a BS in Astronomy & Astrophysics due to tuition etc. With outstanding student loans returning to another University not in the question anymore tbh.. With that said just looking to pursue a career in Astronomy a more budget friendly route if that's even a realistic scenario. Is Astronomy a hobby @ best for an individual w/out credentials & degrees or do internships etc exist? Great thread. Thanks.

So up, its down

Using telescopes, or microscopes, its the same

YES

Just ordered "Cosmic Magnetic Fields (IAU S259): From Planets to Stars and Galaxies" looking forward to wondering what I'm reading.

In what way does light pollution have a negative effect? Where I live I can barely count a dozen stars when I am lucky.

Found this "amateur astronomers" SMP thread from a few years back that has a lot of good information in it, mainly on astronomy but other science topics as well. Will post the link within this new tread and have this be a continuation/update on the old one.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/47...iences-862789/

Light does not pollute. Light from cities simply makes it more difficult to observe stars and planets and other cosmic debris with the naked eye. It does have a marked effect. If you have ever been to say, very rural Alaska, the amount of stars visible to the naked eye is quit astounding.

What it would look like if the Orion Nebula was a distance of 4 light years away

this is insane
http://www.scoopwhoop.com/news/wow-nasa/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvXa...M&spfreload=10

Yup. And the final picture in the video is maybe the most impressive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUo-Q8hhvB0&app=desktop

So great, thanks for posting

indeed.