Introduction

Abstract

I received my first telescope, a 60 mm (2.4 in) Unitron refractor, as a surprise Christmas gift from my father when I was 10 years old, and over the next several years, I spent countless hours exploring the heavens, seeking out virtually every celestial object I could find with this small aperture. I consider myself quite fortunate to have been blessed with a dark, unobstructed observing site for most of my childhood, unlike many of my astronomical friends who were always trying to get to a remote location away from city lights to do worthwhile deep-sky observing. I only had to carry my telescope and star charts just a few feet away into my backyard.