Q&A with Dr. Richard Hammar

417 Magazine: What first sparked your interest in astronomy? 
Dr. Richard Hammar: When I was in high school, my younger brother received an inexpensive telescope for his birthday. On most clear nights, he would be in the backyard trying to find objects in the sky and often would ask me to join him. At the time, I had little, if any, interest in astronomy, and so I ignored his invitations. But one night he was especially persistent, and I agreed to join him. He led me in the dark to his telescope and directed me to look through the eyepiece. And, to my amazement, I was soon looking at Saturn! It was small in his primitive instrument, but the rings made it unmistakable. I was staring at a real-life image of a planet! Not in a book or on a computer or cell phone screen, but in real time. I was transfixed. Astronomy became a lifelong passion. 

417: Any tips for beginners who want to get into stargazing/astronomy?
R.H.: First of all, attend meetings of your local astronomy club. Club members will be pleased to assist you in selecting and using a telescope that fits your budget and needs. Second, visit your Public Library and check out books on astronomy that will explain the objects you are seeing. Third, consider subscribing to Astronomy magazine or Sky & Telescope magazine. These are excellent publications for persons of all levels of experience.

417: What’s one celestial event everyone should experience at least once?
R.H.: Every person should experience a solar eclipse and a view of the Milky Way from a dark location far from city lights.