info for backyard astronomers

A ‘go-to’ for enthusiasts looking for tools and tips for a satisfying stargazing experience!

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Fireball Meteor Eta Aquarid

Get Ready For The Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower Show

Wondering where and how to observe the Eta Aquarid meteor shower so you don’t miss …

Stargaze On A Cruise

Stargazing On a Cruise [5 Things To Know]

You might be going on a cruise ship, where you’ll get the chance to gaze …

Installing And Aligning Finderscopes: Tips and Tricks

Not just installing, but knowing how to align a finderscope, can be daunting if you’re …

A Guide to Solving Your Telescope Focus Problem

If you’re frustrated with the focus when looking through your telescope or with the quality of your views, the following may help. It’s a 15-question test to help you identify and solve a number …

Apochromatic vs Achromatic Refractors Explained

If you’re new to astronomy, you might be wondering about the difference between apochromatic and …

Red Dot Telrad And Finderscope

Red Dot Finder vs Optical Finderscopes for Telescopes

If you’re new to stargazing or looking to upgrade your equipment, you may be wondering …

Dobsonian Pros & Cons. Is This Telescope Right For You?

A Dobsonian is different from other telescopes for astronomy. The ‘Dobs’ are often recommended for …

How To Use A Barlow Lens [+ What To Look For When Buying]

Getting the most out of your telescope can depend on how well you know the …

Using a Telescope With Glasses, Yes Or No [What To Know]

Should I use my telescope with or without my glasses? It’s a dilemma most eyeglass …

Choosing The Best Eyepieces To Upgrade Your Telescope Kit

My experience with accessories sold with a new telescope is that the eyepieces don’t cover …

SOLVED: Telescope & Finderscope Upside Down Image Problem

My telescope image is upside down. The image through the finderscope is also back to …

Reflector vs Refractor Telescope [Which Is Better?]

Should you buy a reflector or a refractor telescope? Reflector telescopes use mirrors, refractor telescopes …

types of stellar, star types in space, types of stars in space

What Sort Of Star Is That? The Types Of Stars in The Sky

When you’re looking up at the night sky, you might notice some stars stand out …

Venus low in the sky, Venus can be seen with the naked eye but what does it look like through a telescope

Observing Venus Through Backyard Telescope [What To Expect]

It’s not that hard to spot Venus in our night sky. You might wonder what …

Night Sky Navigational Aids: Orientation Without GPS or Compass

You can figure out which direction is which by looking at the night sky. Humans …

How The Sky Guided Civilization: 10 Cultural Astronomy Examples

Traditional peoples across the world developed stories and beliefs about the stars and cosmos. They …

Refractor Telescope Distorted Image Problem: Astigmatism

Having a refractor telescope distorted image problem? It could be due to an aberration called …

My Telescope Got Wet — How To Fix It And Avoid It

You’ve had your telescope set up for a few hours or overnight outside. A telescope …

Get Starstruck: How to Find and Observe Messier Objects

As a backyard astronomer, I’m on the lookout for interesting night sky objects to observe. …

Venus low in the sky, Venus can be seen with the naked eye but what does it look like through a telescope

26 Interesting Facts About Venus

There are so many interesting facts about Venus that I thought I’d put together a …

How Many Stars Are In The Milky Way: Exploring The Silver River

You see the Milky Way as a hazy band of lights stretching across the night …