Covering a range of how-tos on using telescopes and binoculars, and finding out about astronomy. You’ll find answers to some frequently asked questions to enjoy this fascinating pastime of backyard astromony.
Getting the most out of your telescope can depend on how well you know the accessories as well as what to look for when buying them. Getting the good oil on what to know about buying and using a Barlow lens in a telescope certainly helps. Key takeawaysBarlow lenses are essentially magnifying lenses inserted between … Read more
Should I use my telescope with or without my glasses? It’s a dilemma most eyeglass wearers have when using a telescope. The answer depends on your need for glasses and if you have an astigmatism or not. Just to be clear, this article relates to astigmatism in your eyes, rather than telescope astigmatism, which can … Read more
You might be wondering what magnification works best for getting a close-up of Mars and what features you’re likely to see? Polar caps, moons? You know how Mars is the red planet but what and how can you see beyond a red disk? Let’s dive in… A bit about Mars: Mars has an apparent magnitude … Read more
Are you observing Jupiter’s moons or aiming to, and are wondering which moon is which? Here I explain how to identify Jupiter’s moons and some other helpful info about what to expect and what to look for when viewing these standouts. Jupiter’s satellites how many? Jupiter’s satellites number 79. But, most are too faint for … 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 these plus some tips on using … Read more
Using angular distance to pinpoint an object in the night sky can mean zilch when you’re a newbie. The units mightn’t make sense. As a backyard astronomer the following handy guide is all about acquainting yourself and making it simple to understand… …rather than use an app or astronomy book… you can use your hand … 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
One thing you can do as a backyard astronomer is check out the surface of the Sun for sunspots, for Mercury passing by, or when there’s a solar eclipse. Here I cover the ins and outs of looking at the sun with a telescope and how to do it safely as a backyard astronomy enthusiast. … Read more
If you’re looking to buy or already have one, you might be wondering ‘Where should I store my telescope?’ Here I cover storage ins and outs, what to avoid, and the best options to consider when looking to store your telescope tube and optics. Where should you store your telescope? It’s best to store your … Read more