Stargazing can be a rewarding hobby, offering a unique way to connect with the universe. Whether you’re using just your naked eye, a pair of binoculars, or a telescope, the beauty of the night sky is accessible to everyone. In this post, I’ll share some tips for beginners to help you get started with stargazing.
1. Learn the Night Sky
To become an amateur astronomer you will need to understand how the sky works. You will want to stay outside for a couple of hours and notice how the stars move across the sky from east to west and even set if you are out there long enough. You will only be able to see some stars and some constellations at certain seasons. Next you need to find a place where the sky is unobstructed to watch this unfold each night from where you plan to observe. One thing that most beginners in amateur astronomy fail to consider adequately is the devastating effect that light pollution has on this great hobby. Light pollution will block out most of the stars and make seeing faint distant objects difficult if not impossible. When you are first starting out trying to learn the brightest stars and constellations it is fine to look from your back yard even if it is light polluted but to get the most out of seeing the night sky you will want to get away from city lights and observe from darker places like parks, nature reserves, or even country roads. At first just try your own backyard on a clear night with no moon and see how many stars you can see and identify. If it is very light polluted then eventually you will want to take the time to travel to a dark sky site. There are websites that help you find dark-sky locations near you. Try Dark Sky International’s Excellent Site : DarkSky International | Protecting the night skies for present and future generations
2. Start with the Basics
Before buying an expensive telescope start out simply observing the sky with your naked eye using a simple planisphere or star chart. I made a video on my YouTube Channel explaining how to use a planisphere and a star chart to help you learn the night sky. Learn to identify the brightest stars and the major constellations with a simple planisphere or star chart and this will help you locate deep sky objects later on. It will not help you find the planets. To find the planets you will need to look along the ecliptic, the apparent path of the moon, the sun, and the planets across the sky from our vantage here on earth. The planets will always be along that path and the ecliptic will be marked on your planisphere. You can also look up the location of the planets on an app like Stellarium or they are always listed in Sky & Telescope Magazine each month. When you go outside let your eyes dark adapt for 15 minutes and then start with something familiar like the Big Dipper or Orion’s Belt as these are recognizable to most people and are great starting points for beginners. You’ll eventually need a more detailed star chart like Sky & Telescopes Pocket Sky Atlas or you can use an App on your phone like Sky Safari or Stellarium but these are limited to small areas of the sky at any given time and it’s best to start with an all sky chart or Planisphere. Take your time and go out as often as possible because it will take time for the names and locations of the stars to sink in. After you have spent some time under the stars and know your way around the sky fairly well, the next step is to use a pair of binoculars to see if you can find some deep sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy, also known as M31, or some of the bright star clusters such as M6, in Scorpius in the summer time in the northern hemisphere, for example.
3. Pick Your First Telescope
If you know the phases of the moon, know how to differentiate the planets from stars, know the brightest stars and the major constellations then it’s time to possibly consider buying a telescope. Some amateur astronomers are content to only use binoculars though. Binoculars cost less in general, are lighter, and more portable, and show you a much wider swath of the sky. But if you are ready for a telescope, for beginners, I recommend a 6″ or 8″ Dobsonian which is a type of Newtonian Reflector on a daisy wheel base that is very easy to use and set up. But if a Dobsonian seems too big and bulky for you then start with a small, easy-to-use telescope like a 4” reflector on either an alt-az mount or a German Equatorial Mount, or a 90 mm refractor which will also need to go on a mount or you can buy a package that comes with a telescope and a mount. Just make sure the package includes a sturdy mount. Beginners often underestimate the importance of a very sturdy mount. A 4″ reflector or a high quality small refractor telescope will provide clear views of the moon, planets, and bright deep-sky objects without making you feel overwhelmed. I’ve created a video explaining the differences between the three types of telescopes and providing advice on buying a telescope and you can find the video on my YouTube Channel to guide you before making a purchase: https://youtu.be/Elip2tleGzY
4. Stay Inspired
One of the most exciting aspects of astronomy is the constant discovery. Whether it’s a meteor shower, a bright comet, or a rare celestial event like a total solar eclipse, there’s always something to look forward to in the night sky. I’ll be sharing updates and guides on upcoming astronomical events, so you won’t miss out on any of the action.
Stargazing is a journey, and there’s always more to learn and explore. Stay tuned for more posts, and I look forward to sharing the wonders of the night sky with you. Dark skies forever!
