should I understand calculus and weight and distance equasions before learning

[space]

about astronomy? I have just started to learn about astronomy is it better to learn about calculus and weight and distance equasions before learning about astronomy so I dont get lost in what Im learning about when I learn about space. Thank you.

[TheCommodore]

Well I was a cliche' 6 year old who wanted to be an astronaut and read those books that tell you all the planets, plus I had model solar systems with glow in the dark stickers on my roof.

Now 17 I realize I will not be an astronaut, I study astronomy in my free time. Now you will, like I did, hit a wall eventually where you will have to start to learn physics to actually understand whats happening, especially if you want any understanding of cosmology, string theory and what not.

But to get started try reading an astronomy magazine if you are in the USA or Australia try "Sky and Telescope", just to see if it interests you.

Be warned astronomy brings a life of sleepless nights hunting for that one deep space nebula, and early mornings to catch Venus before sunrise, but the sight of the Milky Way for the first time from a light pollution free sky is phenomenal.

Clear skies!