How to begin your amateur astronomy journey

When you make a purchase through links in our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

There's no better time than now to embrace the majesty of the night sky and begin a lifelong journey with amateur astronomy that will allow you to explore everything from the twinkle. stars from constellations to wandering planets, distant galaxies and countless other astronomical wonders.

However, there is no denying that getting started with stargazing and the many instruments used to explore the night sky can be a daunting experience for beginners. Well, we've got your back! Read on to discover a collection of tips and tricks from experienced stargazers that will make your first steps into the world of amateur astronomy as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Check out our daily guide to the night sky to stay up to date with the latest stargazing events. You can also see our selections for best telescopes And best binoculars for stargazing if you want to upgrade your equipment. You can also check out our review best astronomy apps to navigate by the stars!

Expert advice for new stargazers

Ed Bloomer, Senior Curator, Royal Observatory Greenwich

Space.com: What is your best advice for amateur astronomers?

Bloomer: It's best to start with a little naked eye astronomy: see if you can pick just anything first and build them up over time. Try to identify one or two constellations in relation to each other and try to locate them over a couple of nights to begin to build a sort of mental map of the sky.

Try to find a transitory object, such as a planet, and notice how it changes position relative to the stars—or another planet, or a planet. moon – for several nights. Start small and build up gradually rather than trying to do everything at once.

Follow your interests. It's much easier to do something you're interested in than to try to gain some encyclopedic knowledge about things before you get started. There are many resources online and others. [who are] I'm interested in the same thing. It's always nice to chat with someone who started their journey before you!

Fighting the cold and darkness

Typically you will be outside, in the dark, possibly for long periods of time and possibly in the cold, so treat this like any outdoor activity. Hat, gloves, flashlight [flashlight]Comfortable shoes and a thermos of hot tea are some of the most valuable items of a stargazer's equipment. Maybe even a small folding camp chair?

And also patience. And a willingness to finish the day without being disappointed when clouds ruin the view!

Space.com: What's a common mistake astronomers make when they're just starting out?

Bloomer: I think the most common mistake is not taking the time to adjust to the darkness, or adjusting and then ruining it by looking at your phone. It takes 20-30 minutes for your eyes to become optimally sensitive to darkness, so a quick glance at the night sky won't do much. In films, the night sky is usually depicted as a bright, poster-like image of light, perfectly balanced with foreground-lit characters, but the sky darkand you have to allow yourself the time and focus to really allow it to emerge.

Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope project

Space.com: What is your favorite memory from your early days of stargazing?

Masi: I have so many fond memories of the old days when my interest in astronomy began in the late 70s. I remember with excitement the sudden discovery of a panorama of a starry night. At some point, I saw it and fell in love with its wonders to the point that I decided to become a professional astrophysicist, working intensively on both research and science communications, and eventually created the Virtual Telescope Project in 2006.

I'm always very happy when I see people starting out with the same passion, and I like to share some tips with them after almost half a century of stargazing.

The Importance of Patience

Space.com: What advice can you give to amateur astronomers?

Masi: For me, the most important keyword here is patience. Exploring the night sky [and] exploring its many routes takes time. Yes, today we have many wonderful tools that support and even enrich this experience, but there are no shortcuts.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with some seemingly simple but important points such as orientation and star recognition, perhaps using a classic star chart on paper, as this will help you become more confident about what's going on behind the scenes. Take a moment and notice the slow apparent movement of the stars as our home planet spins on its axis. [and] Enjoy the subtle yet amazing details such as the different colors and brightness of the stars.

“Always take the time to observe with your own eyes.”

The time you put in will pay off in experience and confidence in the night sky.

Space.com: How can stargazers maintain their passion over the long term?

Masi: Surely, at some point you will need an astronomical telescope and even want to photograph these cosmic treasures. This is fantastic, but only take these steps after you [are] familiar with the night sky. This way you can specify [at] this and that, knowing where to go to see them. You would buy a car after learning how to drive and places to visit; for me it's the same with the night sky. This will also help keep that passion alive.

And once you've mastered observing and imaging with modern telescopes, always take the time to observe with your own eyes. This will further your interest in astronomy while maintaining the emotional side of this adventure that is so important decade after decade.

Robert Lunsford, Fireball Report Coordinator, Newsletter Editor, and Treasurer of the American Meteor Society.

Space.com: What equipment do aspiring stargazers need?

Lunsford: I would encourage anyone interested in the night sky to explore constellations first. The only thing you'll need is a constellation guide. If [you find yourself] wanting to go beyond naked eye observation, then inexpensive binoculars will reveal the colors of the stars, as well as the brighter ones star clusters. Binoculars provide a wide field of view so you can easily find the objects listed in each constellation.

Telescope trick

Space.com: What should amateur astronomers know about beginner telescopes?

Lunsford: There are objects that are too small or too dim to be seen with binoculars, but which can be detected with a telescope. The only problem with using a telescope is the small field of view compared to binoculars. Therefore, a sighting tube with a crosshair is a great help in finding objects through a telescope. Most inexpensive telescopes have poor sighting scopes that are practically useless. The lens in the scope must be at least 1 inch. [2.5 centimeters] in diameter to be useful.

I would encourage people to purchase refractors as their first scope. These telescopes are ready to use right out of the box, without the need to collimate a mirror, which is often misaligned in reflectors. Avoid using high power eyepieces at first because their field of view is small and the images are not as sharp as using low power eyepieces. Any eyepiece with a focal length greater than 20mm will be suitable for low magnification photography.

Finally strong install is a prerequisite for successful observation. Inexpensive mounts will sway in the slightest breeze, making observation impossible.

Josh Durie, award-winning astrophotographer

Space.com: What's your best advice for aspiring skywatchers?

Stand: When taking your first photographs of the distant Universe, I would advise you not to purchase the most expensive equipment at first. The purpose of this experience is to learn the basics of telescopes as well as camerasBecome familiar with the terminology and operation of features and accessories. Once you start learning how they work and seeing your first celestial objects, make sure to upgrade your equipment.

I would also encourage you to join your local astronomical society. Not only do you meet groups of like-minded people, it's a great opportunity to exchange and share knowledge. The core value through which we learn to share the night sky. Space is available to everyone.

The weather is, of course, a challenge. I always vouch for more than one weather forecast when looking for the next clear sky. Look at a few models to see if there are clear skies sometimes, and [you] may have to watch at the last minute for the clouds to clear.

“Go to local booksellers and look for physical guidebooks.”

When exploring the night sky, don't rely solely on online resources. Visit local booksellers and find physical guidebooks. They contain precise, bite-sized pieces of information that will help in your astronomy endeavors. Not only can you take them with you on the go; they are also designed for use with red flashlights. [flashlights] to preserve night vision.

When going outside with a camera or telescope, use a red flashlight. This wavelength of light preserves your night vision. So even with the red light on, you will be able to see a lot of stars, unlike the white light where it will take your eyes 20 minutes. [adapt to the] dark.

Editor's Note: If you would like to share your astrophotography with Space.com readers, send your photos, comments, name and location to [email protected].