3) A good star chart (e.g., Sky Atlas 2000, 2nd Edition) is very helpful
Vivid report, Randy. Do check out our TAC guide on star atlases!
http://observers.org/beginner/paperatlases.html
SkyAtlas 2000 is an intermediate atlas, at any rate it was past me when I
was getting started. Check out the list of beginner atlases in the above
article. Skiff's Bright Star Atlas, Karkoschka's atlas, and the Edmunds Mag
6 are all wonderful places to start.
On the TAC main page, check out the TAC Link Library, including Your
Astronomy Questions Answered Here. <Beginner's Section.. Sage Advice> has
all kinds of goodies.
You've definitely landed in the right spot. Welcome to the obsession!
DDK
-- Jamie Dillon <*> speech pathologist jamie_dillon@No-Spam " ... " - Harpo Marx