info for backyard astronomers

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

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Latest Posts

Aligning Finderscope With Telescope

Installing And Aligning Finderscopes: Tips and Tricks

Installing and aligning a finderscope can be a daunting experience if you’re new to it. …

Get Better Planet Views

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 …

Achromatic Vs Apochromatic Refractors

Apochromatic vs Achromatic Refractors Explained

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

Optical Finderscope For Astronomy

Red Dot Finderscopes vs. Optical Finderscopes: Which Is Better?

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

Dobsonian Telescope

Is a Dobsonian Telescope Right For You? [Pros & Cons]

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

Barlows And Star Diagonal

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 …

Wearing Glasses Or Not With Telescope

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 …

Best Eyepieces To Upgrade Your Kit

Choosing The Best Eyepieces To Upgrade Your Telescope Kit [What To Look For]

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

Telescope Finderscope Upside Down

SOLVED: Telescope & Finderscope Upside Down Image Problem

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

Refractor Vs Reflector 1200 X 630 Px 2

Reflector vs Refractor Telescope [Which Is Better?]

When it comes to buying a telescope, the two most common types are reflector and …

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 …

Stars As Navigational Chart

Navigating By the Night Sky: A Guide For Orientating Yourself

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

Early Cultural Astronomy

How Astronomy Guided Civilization: 10 Cultural Examples

Traditional peoples all over the world have developed their own stories and beliefs about the …

Astigmatism In Refractor

Astigmatism in Refractor Telescopes: Causes and Solutions

The image you’re seeing through your refractor is not the best. Could it be due …

Can A Telescope Get Wet

My Telescope Got Wet — What Every Beginner Needs To Know

You’re thinking about having your telescope set up for a few hours or overnight outside. …

Messier Objects

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. …

25 Facts About Venus

26 Interesting Facts About Venus

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

Understanding The Milky Way

Exploring The Milky Way [What To Know]

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

How To See Meteor Showers

Get Ready to Stargaze: How to Watch Meteor Showers

You’d love to observe a meteor shower but you’re not sure when and where to …

International Space Station Crossing The Sky

How to Spot The International Space Station: A Quick Guide

For a fun family activity, at certain points in time and space you can try …