Think back, way back into time. What started your interest in the night sky, be it astrophotography or observing?
For me, it was Halleys Comet in the mid-80's. I clearly remember being in my late teens and lying on my back in our yard with my fathers old (and heavy) binoculars staring in wonder at the comet, and even on a second night climbing a hilltop in the dark to get away from the streetlights so I could get a better view!
Soon after, my father bought me my first telescope - a
Hanimex refractor with an aperture of about 30mm, a focal length of about 400mm, and a short spindly plastic tripod - which by today's standards was of very average quality. But I didn't care - I had a telescope!
And it got a lot of use, back in the day.
So what got you started? A book? A movie? Star Trek / Star Wars / Blakes 7? Or like me did you see something in the night sky that just hooked you?