Cody Saltsman was a top student in high school who earned an award for his participation in a rigorous academic program. He maintains an interest in fields like physics and astronomy. The document provides guidance for beginning amateur astronomers, recommending that they first learn the names of stars and constellations through reading materials from the library. It suggests becoming familiar with terminology and patterns of star movement before working to identify locations in the night sky without guides. The ultimate goal is to be able to identify different celestial objects without assistance.

2.  A graduate of Steubenville High School,
Cody Saltsman was involved in numerous
extracurricular activities during his time as a
student and participated in one of the
school's most rigorous academic programs,
earning him a Steubenville City Schools
University Scholars award. Cody Saltsman
also maintains an interest in scientific fields
such as physics and astronomy.
Amateur astronomy is a form of
independent study that anyone with a
passion for learning can seek.

3.  Those who are beginning to study astronomy should
visit their library and gather reading materials to first
learn about the night sky. Becoming familiar with
astronomy's terminology as well as the names of
prominent stars and constellations is the first step, as is
understanding how these stars move throughout the
sky over the course of a night. Seasons and the time
of day impact stars' positions, so it is beneficial to
learn these patterns.
Once these elements have become familiar or
memorized, those studying astronomy should learn
the locations of each distinctive point in the night sky.

4.  Beyond a certain point, one major goal of
an amateur astronomer is to develop the
ability to look at the night sky and point out
the different stars, constellations, planets,
and galaxies without using a guide.
Beginners can use maps and charts to
identify these celestial bodies, plus more
that are difficult to see with the naked eye.
While viewing the sky, it is a good idea to
keep a journal to track objects spotted and
record a given night's viewing for future
sessions.