Astronomy Tips

Join a local astronomy club. Do an internet search to find one closest to you. You can learn a lot from others who have been interested in astronomy for years.

Search the internet for message boards for astronomy fans. This way you can share what you know and learn from others around the world. This is a great way to get your questions answered regarding astronomy in general, or the latest and greatest equipment.

Pick up a good sky map that includes the locations of the stars, moon and constellations for the different times of the year. Make sure it is the right map for your location.

Before buying a telescope, take the time to research them. You don’t want to get the cheapest one available if you are really serious about astronomy, but if you are a beginner, you might not have the funds to buy the top of the line. You’ll want to get the best one possible while still staying within your means.

There are several great publications that focus on Astronomy. Buy a subscription to one or two of them to gain access to great articles and advice to get the most out of your star gazing. Examples of such magazines are Astronomer, Astronomy, Astronomy Technology Today, Astronomy Now and Sky and Telescope.

Watching an eclipse can be fun but also dangerous. It is important to never look directly at an eclipse as it can damage your eyes. So, in order to enjoy this astronomical event, make yourself a pinhole camera. Take a thin cardboard piece (like from the back of a legal pad of paper) and make a small hole in the center with a needle. Place the cardboard between the sun and a white sheet of paper. An image for the Sun will appear on the paper. You can then watch the eclipse occur safely on the piece of paper.

If you are star-gazing, make sure you find an area that is free from bright lights and tall buildings. It may seem neat to use your telescope from the balcony of your apartment, but if you live in the city, your view will be more hindered than it would be if you were standing in a field somewhere free of "urban clutter."

If you are looking to get into astronomy, but don't have the money to buy a telescope yet, a pair of good binoculars is a great alternative. You won't be able to see the deeper star systems and galaxies, but you should be able to see more planets than with just the naked eye.

Be sure to allow about 30-35 minutes for your telescope to adjust to the temperature of the air outside for the best viewing of the night sky.

Make sure to learn the terms and phrases that are associated with Astronomy. By learning the terminology of the science, you will find it easier to read and discuss material concerning the subject. Come to know the meanings of terms such as angular measure, degrees, arcminutes, arcseconds, declination, right ascension, magnitude, astronomical units, and more.

Even if you don't have a telescope or binoculars, you can still enjoy some astronomy with the naked eye. There are five major constellations that you can see without the help of technology if you know how to find them. They are The Milky Way, Andromeda Galaxy, Orion, Ursa Major, and Pleiades.