Astronomy For Beginners – Getting Started Stargazing!

Starting your journey into astronomy can be as simple as looking up at the night sky and asking questions about what you see!

Gazing up at the stars is the first step to becoming interested in the night sky and all of the wonders of the universe that we can see in space! 

But what if you want to delve a little bit deeper? Read on for our handy guide of tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your new hobby without being bogged down in minutia and frustration! 

How To Start Stargazing: Tips & Tricks

We’ve got some great advice for getting started with stargazing, including how to choose a telescope, and which telescope to buy. But before you start buying telescopes, it’s important to know what type of stargazing you’d like to do! 

There are so many different types of stargazing, from observing planets to viewing deep-sky objects, to even searching for asteroids and comets.

So what kind of stargazing would you like to try? Here are some suggestions:

Planetary Observing

Planets are one of the easiest things to observe because they’re always there! You just need to look up at the right time of year (in the northern or southern hemisphere) and you’ll find them easily.

If you don’t have access to an observatory, then you can use binoculars or a small telescope to view the planets. 

Deep Sky Objects

These are the most difficult objects to observe. They require a large amount of patience and practice to spot them. However, once spotted, these objects will stay visible for years to come.

Some examples include galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and open star clusters. 

Asteroid and Comet Watching

This is a fun way to spend a few hours now and again. It requires a lot of patience and dedication, but it’s well worth it when you finally spot something! It’s a super fun activity to do with friends. 

All you need is a pair of binoculars or a telescope, and a map of the constellations. Once you identify the constellation, you can go back later and check off each star you spot.

This is a great way to introduce yourself to the constellations and learn their names. 

To make sure that you get the most out of your stargazing experience, here are some other helpful hints:

Get Your Telescope Ready

Before you head outside, make sure that your telescope is ready to go! Make sure that everything is properly aligned and adjusted. Also, make sure that your scope is clean and free of dust.

Know What Time of Year to Look Up

When you first begin looking through your telescope, you may be surprised to see that the stars aren’t where you expect them to be. Don’t worry; this is normal. 

Instead of trying to figure out why the stars aren’t where they should be, simply wait until next season to try again. The reason for this is that the Earth rotates around its axis, causing the seasons to change over the year.

As a result, the North Pole points toward the Sun in summer, while the South Pole does the same thing in winter.

Choose a Good Location

Where you set up your telescope can greatly affect your ability to see certain objects. Choose a location that has minimal light pollution, so that you can see all of the faintest objects in the night sky.

Use Proper Equipment

While many people think that a telescope is expensive, you can get some great ones for a very reasonable price.

It’s quite affordable compared to a lot of other hobbies if you are going to spend a lot of time using it!

Choosing Your Telescope

There are several different types of telescopes available on the market today. Each type offers a slightly different perspective of the universe. Here are some of the main categories of telescopes:

Refractor Telescopes

Refractors are considered the most popular kind of telescope because of their simplicity. A refractor uses lenses to focus an image onto a piece of glass called a “reticle”.

The light then passes through the reticle and forms an image at the eyepiece. Because refractors use lenses, they have a wider field of view than reflector telescopes. However, they also tend to be more expensive.

Reflector Telescopes

Reflector telescopes work by reflecting sunlight into a mirror. They are usually smaller than refractors but offer a much higher magnification ratio.

Most amateur astronomers prefer reflectors because they’re easier to handle.

Cassegrain Telescopes

Cassegrains are similar to refractors, except that they use two mirrors instead of one lens. Cassegrains are often used by professionals because they provide a larger field of view than refractors.

Newtonian Telescopes

Newtonians are a hybrid between refractors and reflectors. Like a refractor, they use a lens to form an image. Unlike a reflector, however, they use prisms rather than mirrors to direct incoming light.

This allows them to achieve a greater degree of accuracy than either a refractor or a reflector.

Dobsonian Telescopes

These are portable telescopes that are designed to be easily moved from place to place. They are typically made with aluminum tubing and come in various sizes.

Telescope Accessories

While you don’t need any special accessories to start stargazing, there are a few things that will make your experience better. Some of these include:

Tripod

A tripod keeps your telescope steady as you look through it. Tripods come in a variety of styles, including folding tripods and equatorial mounts.

Eyepieces

An eyepiece magnifies the image that comes out of your telescope. You can choose between standard eyepieces or computerized eyepieces. Computerized eyepieces allow you to control the amount of zoom and power of the telescope.

Finder Scope

A finder scope helps you locate objects in the night sky. It consists of a small telescope attached to a large tube. The tube holds a star map so you can see where the object is located.

Getting Overwhelmed? Try Stargazing With Binoculars Instead!

Binoculars make a great ‘first telescope’ as they are cheap, easy to use, and easy to come by. Binoculars show a wide field of vision and provide a good way to get started observing without spending too much money.

Binoculars are ideal for viewing details of the moon’s surface and constellations, which are not visible to the naked eye.

You’ll be surprised how much you can see by just looking through a good pair of binoculars on a cloudless night! It’s enough to further spark your interest and give you a taste of what is out there for you to explore when you are ready to invest in some better equipment!

Here are some tips for getting started:

1) Choose a pair of binoculars that has a very clear image and is comfortable to hold.

2) Look for a pair of binoculars that has a high-quality optical system.

3) Find a pair of binoculars with a focus wheel.

4) Make sure the binoculars have a sturdy carrying case.

How To Find Stars

Stars appear in the sky when the Sun sets. So, if you want to find stars, wait until after dark and look up. If you live in a city, you may not be able to see many stars.

But, if you go somewhere rural, you’ll probably be able to spot constellations like Orion’s Belt and Gemini.

Identifying constellations is a great way to start exploring the universe as you can get immediate satisfaction from it, as well as study star maps during the day!

Use Your Local Library And Online Resources

The best way to learn about astronomy is to read books and magazines. There are also plenty of online resources available to help you learn more about the subject.

Invest in a Sky Atlas, of which there are many reputable and updated ones available, and you can have years of fun tracking the night sky and hunting out the mysteries that the sky provides!

Keep An Astronomy Journal

An astronomy journal is a great way to record your observations over time. You can write down your experiences and thoughts while learning about the sky. This could lead to a lifelong passion for astronomy.

If you’re new to astronomy, it might take you a few months before you feel confident enough to begin writing down your observations.

Don’t worry though, once you’ve got the hang of things, you’ll soon be making notes every night.

Start Small

If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of trying to become an amateur astronomer, don’t worry. Start with something simple, such as identifying the brightest star in the sky or mapping the surface of the Moon.

Once you’ve mastered these basics, you can move on to more challenging subjects, such as finding planets and spotting comets.

Get Out Into The Night Skies!

There are so many ways to enjoy stargazing. Whether you prefer to watch the sky from a park bench, under a tree, or even inside your home, there’s no shortage of places where you can view the heavens.

But, one thing you need to remember is that you will never know everything about the night sky. So, if you ever get stuck, you should always turn to the internet to look up answers.

You can also join local astronomy clubs to meet other people who share your interests. These groups usually organize regular events, such as star parties, where members gather together to observe the night skies.