If you are into stargazing for the first time you’re in the right place. My astronomy beginners’ guides will take you through things you need to know when choosing gear including the magnifications, eyepieces, how to find objects, maintaining your telescope, and how to store it safely when it’s not in use.
To begin: Beginners Guide to Backyard Astronomy
What telescope should you buy? What features should you consider and what do they mean? It can be frustrating, the technical jargon, as a beginner looking to buy astronomy gear. The following is to help you get a handle on the telescope reviews and product descriptions when choosing the right telescope to buy for you. … Read more
What coordinate system is used in astronomy? How do you decipher these celestial points to locate an object with your telescope? What do all these different terms mean? It can be confusing when you’re starting out. Here I look at what you need to know about sky coordinate systems, what they mean, and how to … Read more
It’s fairly easy to pick out the bright planets in the night sky, but what about other objects of interest overhead? You can download sky map apps for your mobile device, which helps. But the best finder charts are the manual ones, for a few reasons. Here, I cover how to use star charts, plus … Read more
The term field of view confuses a lot of people new to the hobby of astronomy. Here’s what to know about the field of view in optical instruments to help you demystify this term and get better satisfaction out of using your gear. Define field of view “Field of view is the extent or the range of your visual … Read more
Should you buy telescope filters and if so which ones? Whether you’re just starting or want to advance your backyard telescope experience, filters can make that subtle difference to better see the details of the Moon and planets. Plossi Eyepiece Set + Barlows With Case at Amazon (affiliate link) What does a telescope filter do? … Read more
A regular light can ruin your views of the night sky. A red light flashlight, designed for stargazing is what you need… Did you know that white light switches off the rhodopsin for night vision? Night vision means your eyes are adapted to the dark and this is ideal for best views of celestial objects … Read more
This buyer’s guide covers what the beginner needs to know and avoid when buying a budget-priced best telescope under 200. Best telescope for under 200 guide This telescope buying guide is for entry-level backyard stargazers with a budget of under 200 dollars and covers what to look for in the best starter telescope as well … Read more
Dirty eyepieces will hamper all your views through your telescope. Here’s what I discovered about how to clean telescope eyepieces – especially the things you need to avoid. The main advice: dust and grit is the enemy! And so is mold. The following will have you getting the most out of your viewing. If you’re interested … Read more
Did you know planets are bright enough for night sky city viewing? And, observing planets through a telescope won’t be much different in the city from that at a dark rural location. Here’s how to see stars in the city (as well as planets). It includes steps and tips for urban astronomy — how to … Read more
There’s a saying: Stars twinkle and planets don’t. It’s true. But, is it enough to find planets when the sky appears full of stars? You will need a long focused and steady look to conclude about it twinkling or not and you may not be that confident in your assessment. Here I cover how to … Read more