The good news is you don’t need any special gear to get started, as there are a great number of objects to look for just with the naked eye. Learning the constellations alone is an essential skill to improve your observational abilities, and this is done without the use of any optical equipment. Many enthusiasts in astronomy aspire to observe fainter deep sky objects, along with objects like the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. For these fainter celestial bodies, the use of an optical system becomes essential. 

The term “optical system” is used instead of the word “telescope” because one of the most budget-friendly and effective tools for beginners is a reliable pair of binoculars. Binocular astronomy is a cost-effective way to enjoy the hobby without the need to invest several hundred dollars on a telescope. 

There are many great examples of binoculars made specifically for astronomy such as this or this, but don’t ignore the dusty pair of birding binoculars you have stored in your closet. As long as they produce a quality image, any pair of binoculars are a great step-up from observing with the unaided eye. Binoculars will allow you to collect more light and thus see fainter objects with ease. It may be a bit awkward at first since you will have to lean back much further than you usually would to spot terrestrial targets, but with some practice you will soon be finding those elusive nebulae and star clusters. 

If you are looking to purchase a telescope, there are a few pitfalls to avoid. Notably, try to avoid products astronomers affectionately call “hobby killers”. These scopes are often marketed as cheap deals that are suitable for children or novices getting into the hobby. You may have encountered one in your past if you were ever gifted a telescope as a child.  

Hobby killers are characterized by shoddy craftsmanship, poor optics, and usually have flimsy, shaky tripods, and hard-to-adjust mounts. While there is no definite bottom line for price points, be wary when considering any telescope under the $250 mark. Some notable exceptions to this rule are this tabletop reflector from Orion or this one from Astronomers Without Borders.  

Be careful not to overshoot your budget and buy top-of-the-line equipment with all the bells and whistles. Buying a complex telescope system may end up being overly complicated for the beginner and may discourage them from continuing with the hobby. 

Many astronomers will attest that one of the best kinds of telescope for beginners is the Dobsonian. This type of telescope system is a simple reflector (using a mirror to collect light) called a Newtonian on an Altitude-Azimuth (Alt-Az) mount, or one that moves in the right-left and up-down directions. A Dobsonian is much simpler and more intuitive than telescopes that use more complex equatorial mounts.  

Dobsonians are easy to transport and set up, and most do not require power to run.

Dobsonian Telescope (Truss Tube Design)

While a Dobsonian telescopes will lack any computer-guided features, it is often the best ‘bang for your buck’ for beginner telescopes, and its manual nature will help you improve your object location skills.  

There are many quality telescope brands to choose from, here are a few of them:  

• Orion  
• Celestron  
• High Point Scientific  
• Meade  
• Explore Scientific  

Consider exploring the second-hand market. You can find some great deals on second-hand marketplaces like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Astronomers often take pride in and carefully maintain their equipment. 

Other Astronomy Equipment 

In addition to binoculars or a telescope, there are a few things that can make your star-gazing easier and more enjoyable. 

• For ease of navigating your observing site without upsetting your night-vision, a red flashlight can be incredibly useful. Red flashlights can be found inexpensively online, or you can make your own out of a normal flashlight and translucent red tape or red cellophane.
• For easily pointing out areas of interest in the sky to others, a laser pointer can be an invaluable tool. Many astronomers prefer a green laser pointer, as green light is the most easily seen color by the human eye.

Safety Note: Laser pointers can be dangerous. Extreme caution must always be used when using a laser pointer to ensure that it is never pointed at someone’s eyes, reflective surface, or at an aircraft. 

• A compass can be useful for orienting yourself in a new area and for locating night-sky objects.
• A star chart or planisphere is a low-tech way to find the constellations at any time of year. Rotate the disc to reflect your time and date, hold the planisphere overhead with the cardinal directions pointed in the correct orientation. The planisphere will show you where you can see the constellations visible to you, depending upon your latitude.
• An astronomy app like those mentioned in the previous post can be instrumental to finding fainter objects.  

When looking for an object with binoculars, telescope, or the unaided eye, make note of constellations near to the object. Make a mental map of the brighter stars closest to the target. Often, you can draw a direct line with two stars which points directly (or close) to the location. 

Any quality telescope will have a finder such as a spotter scope, red dot sight, or telrad sight. Use this first to line up your target before looking through the eyepiece. You may need to align your finder at the beginning of the night. To do so, center your telescope on a bright star and adjust your finder scope with the adjustment screws at its base. 

Aaron Bailey adjusts a telescope outfitted with a spotter scope sight during a Family Star Party at Space Foundation Discovery Center  

If you are observing outside the warm summer months, temperatures will inevitably drop. Make sure you bring extra layers of warm clothing. A warm beverage and chemical hand warmers are a good investment as well. 

The right astronomy equipment can turn a mediocre night of stargazing into a magical one. The best gear you can buy is the type that gets you outside under the stars more often. Sometimes, all you need is a warm blanket and hot beverage to bask in the beauty of the cosmos.  

Aaron Bailey is an educator with a background in Astronomy and Physics and writes lessons and designs interactive STEM curricula for many Space Foundation programs. He joined the team in September of 2021. He is responsible for the Family Star Party and is an active member of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society (CSASTRO). He began the Discovery Center Astronomy Club to bring together STEAM-loving teens to discuss astronomy and space science. 

If you have additional questions, please reach out to education@spacefoundation.org. 

The post Part 2: Astronomy Observing Basics appeared first on Space Foundation Discovery Center.

Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences in human history and can be an awe-inspiring and humbling endeavor. However, if you have no previous experience with the hobby, it can seem a bit intimidating. This article covers the best starting points for the hobby, the fundamentals for celestial observations, suitable tools and equipment for beginners, and tips to avoid mistakes and improve your chances of a rewarding night of stargazing.

Exploring the Significance of Visual Astronomy

Astronomy has been a longstanding practice, reaching back to the dawn of human existence. Our ancestors looked to the planets and stars of the night sky as ways to understand their world through stories and mythologies. We remember many of these stories through the names of our constellations and planets. Ancient cultures and societies also used the changing of the night sky to track time and develop their calendars, which helped them develop yearly celebrations and track the times of sowing and harvesting crops.

Today, with the developments of modern science, we can learn much about the universe and our place within it by studying the skies above. Through viewing the beautiful night sky objects overhead with our own eyes, we can feel a greater connection to nature and our role protecting it. Considering the vastness of time and space in the universe gives us a fresh outlook on the small, everyday aspects of our lives.

Captivating Night Sky Highlights

Before going out to observe, it's useful to have a basic understanding of the different types of objects that can be seen in the night sky. Outside of planets, stars, constellations, and the Moon, there are a plethora of deep sky objects to be seen in the night sky. Some of these include:

• Nebulae – clouds of gas and dust that serve as the birthplace for new stars.
  • Examples include the Orion Nebula (Messier 42), the Crab Nebula (Messier 1), and the Ring Nebula (Messier 57).
• Globular Clusters – ancient clusters of thousands to millions of stars which form a roughly spherical shape.
  • Examples include Messier 4, Messier 10, and Messier 13.
• Open Clusters – clusters of stars which are smaller and more loosely structured than globular clusters.
  • Examples include The Pleiades (Messier 45), The Hyades (Caldwell 41), and The Beehive Cluster (Messier 44).
• Galaxies – ‘island universes’ which contain hundreds of billions of stars, many millions of light years away.
  • Examples include The Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31), The Whirlpool Galaxy (Messier 51), and The Triangulum Galaxy (Messier 33).

Keep an eye out for seasonal meteor showers and occasional encounters with comets. The best time to see these events is during the New Moon, as the light from even a partial Moon can make it hard to spot faint meteors and comets.

The Crab Nebula Seen in New Light by NASA's Webb (NIRCam and MIRI)

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope shows the heart of the globular star cluster Messier 92 (M92), one of the oldest and brightest in the Milky Way

NGC 1858 is estimated to be around 10 million years old!

Embarking on Your Astronomical Journey

If you are venturing into the vast world of astronomy, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. The best advice is to start small. There may be countless objects to see in the night sky, but even the easiest-to-find will bring joy to you and your fellow astronomers for years to come.

If you live in a densely populated city, you will greatly benefit from taking a trip out to the outskirts where there are fewer lights. You can determine the level of light pollution in your area by using a light pollution map. Even a half-hour drive out of the city can make a significant difference.

Astronomy becomes significantly less enjoyable when attempting to gaze through an overcast sky. Any weather forecast website should list the cloud coverage, but if you want a more comprehensive picture of the sky conditions, check out the website Astropheric. Not only will it show an hourly forecast of cloud coverage for your location, but it will also predict the haziness and turbulence of the atmosphere as well, which are both important factors if you are looking at fainter objects in the sky.

It is helpful to download an astronomy app that suggests good objects to view that night. There are many great options, but some free options that are good for beginners are Stellarium and SkyView. Additional app suggestions can be found on this blog post from the website AstroBackyard.

As a beginner, start with easier-to-find objects like:

• Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars
• The Orion Nebula (Messier 42)
• The Pleiades (Messier 45)
• The Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31)
• Double Stars like Alberio (Beta Cygni) and Mizar and Alcor (Middle star, which is actually two, in the handle of the Big Dipper asterism)
• And, of course, the Moon

Be mindful that looking at the Full, or nearly Full, Moon through binoculars or a telescope can focus a lot of light on your eyes. For Moon observing, many telescope retailers will sell lunar light filters which can be attached to the eyepiece of your telescope to mitigate the intensity of the lunar brilliance. Without a filter, it may be wise to look for shorter periods of time. The Moon is not dangerous to look at through a telescope, but may be uncomfortable without a filter.

Reminder that the Sun is never a safe object to look at without a proper solar filter designed specifically for solar observation. Never point a telescope or binoculars at the Sun without one.

Now, you have checked the weather, picked your location, and collected a list of a few objects to view. But how will you be looking at them?  While this article provides an introductory overview of visual astronomy, its goal is to initiate a journey of exploration, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the vastness of the cosmos.

---

Aaron Bailey is an educator with a background in Astronomy and Physics and writes lessons and designs interactive STEM curricula for many Space Foundation programs. He joined the team in September of 2021. He is responsible for the Family Star Party and is an active member of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society (CSASTRO). He began the Discovery Center Astronomy Club to bring together STEAM-loving teens to discuss astronomy and space science.

The post Part 1: Astronomy Observing Basics appeared first on Space Foundation Discovery Center.