"Amateur" is not an insult.

An amateur astronomer is someone who learns the skies, learns how to observe or photograph the incomprehensibly distant and huge objects out there, learns about cosmology, and shares this knowledge with others - not because it's a paid occupation, not for recognition or praise, but because we love it. Amateur means simply that we do it for love.

The Warren Astronomical Society (http://www.warrenastro.org) meets twice monthly to share presentations about astronomy: observations, cosmology, and history. There's a monthly discussion group that covers all sorts of topics (astronomical and otherwise).

And, of course, there are observing sessions: one to two public open houses per month and many informal members-only observing nights at our observatory, Stargate. Our members perform a great deal of outreach service as well.

Members have the opportunity to check out telescopes and other equipment with a minimal deposit. If you're interested in getting into astronomy but don't know what sort of telescope you'd like, a risk-free trial can be a great help. Attend an event and find out just how much a committed amateur can do.