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Astronomy is the study of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects that populate the sky. It is an endlessly fascinating field, the oldest of the natural sciences, and one of the few areas of science that amateurs can directly assist the professionals. It is open and accessible for any level of interest and involvement, from folks who just want to learn how to recognize the constellations all the way to near pros with telescopes worth more than their houses.
My goal in this instructable is to provide a set of resources for anyone interested in getting started with this hobby, in the form of a step by step guide for someone who just isn't sure where to begin. When I got started a few years ago, I couldn't find any guides like this that really made sense to me, so in a way this is written to my past self. If I had this guide, I could have avoided a lot of trouble, pitfalls, useless purchases, and dead ends. Furthermore, I've been interested in astronomy since I was little, but I always assumed it was an expensive hobby that I couldn't afford to get into--I was wrong, and I wish someone had been there to tell me!
If you can think of anything I should add to this guide, make sure to leave a comment below--if I use your suggestion, I'll send you a DIY patch. If I think it's a big enough suggestion or oversight on my part, I'll also send you a coupon for a three month pro membership. Also, as I live in the northern hemisphere and only see the northern sky, if you're reading this from a southern hemisphere perspective, I encourage you to write a supplementary southern hemisphere version of this instructable. If it's up to my standards (as determined solely by me and my whims) I will link to it here and send you a coupon for a one year pro membership! I envy you, too, I'll probably never get to see the Magellanic Clouds.
Finally, please lend me your vote in the Space Contest. If you found this useful or interesting, cast a vote my way!
My goal in this instructable is to provide a set of resources for anyone interested in getting started with this hobby, in the form of a step by step guide for someone who just isn't sure where to begin. When I got started a few years ago, I couldn't find any guides like this that really made sense to me, so in a way this is written to my past self. If I had this guide, I could have avoided a lot of trouble, pitfalls, useless purchases, and dead ends. Furthermore, I've been interested in astronomy since I was little, but I always assumed it was an expensive hobby that I couldn't afford to get into--I was wrong, and I wish someone had been there to tell me!
If you can think of anything I should add to this guide, make sure to leave a comment below--if I use your suggestion, I'll send you a DIY patch. If I think it's a big enough suggestion or oversight on my part, I'll also send you a coupon for a three month pro membership. Also, as I live in the northern hemisphere and only see the northern sky, if you're reading this from a southern hemisphere perspective, I encourage you to write a supplementary southern hemisphere version of this instructable. If it's up to my standards (as determined solely by me and my whims) I will link to it here and send you a coupon for a one year pro membership! I envy you, too, I'll probably never get to see the Magellanic Clouds.
Finally, please lend me your vote in the Space Contest. If you found this useful or interesting, cast a vote my way!
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Signing UpStep 1Don't Buy a Telescope!
I put this step first because it's often the first thing people do, and I want to stop you before you go wrong. This is probably the biggest mistake I made, and a mistake that I believe a lot of people who are interested in astronomy make. A lot of people think that a telescope is required to be an astronomer, and they head out to Wal Mart or Target and pick up one of those $50 telescopes they always have around Christmas time.
People who have been doing this for a while have a name for those telescopes--they call them hobby killers. Those things are incredibly difficult and frustrating to use, and aren't good for much except looking at the moon, and while that's definitely worth doing, don't take that step yet. The one I bought was awful, I used it a couple of times and then put it away, convinced I was doing something wrong. It put at least a two year break between me deciding I wanted to get into astronomy and me actually doing so.
You will probably want to get a telescope some day, but you really don't need one yet, and you most definitely don't know what kind you want. There is a wealth of options out there, and you should take some time to learn about them before you settle on one to buy (more on that in a later step).
If you absolutely must spend some money on something (I know sometimes if I drop a few bucks on a new hobby I feel obliged to see it through), buy a Planisphere. This is a very useful resource you will come back to over and over again, and worth the few dollars it will cost.
****Update 8/1 -- dimtick has pointed out that another good, small investment is a green laser pointer. They are very cheap these days, and if you're planning on involving anyone else in your hobby they are great for pointing out what you're looking at. Also, they're fun!
People who have been doing this for a while have a name for those telescopes--they call them hobby killers. Those things are incredibly difficult and frustrating to use, and aren't good for much except looking at the moon, and while that's definitely worth doing, don't take that step yet. The one I bought was awful, I used it a couple of times and then put it away, convinced I was doing something wrong. It put at least a two year break between me deciding I wanted to get into astronomy and me actually doing so.
You will probably want to get a telescope some day, but you really don't need one yet, and you most definitely don't know what kind you want. There is a wealth of options out there, and you should take some time to learn about them before you settle on one to buy (more on that in a later step).
If you absolutely must spend some money on something (I know sometimes if I drop a few bucks on a new hobby I feel obliged to see it through), buy a Planisphere. This is a very useful resource you will come back to over and over again, and worth the few dollars it will cost.
****Update 8/1 -- dimtick has pointed out that another good, small investment is a green laser pointer. They are very cheap these days, and if you're planning on involving anyone else in your hobby they are great for pointing out what you're looking at. Also, they're fun!
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http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-View-an-Eclipse-Sunspots-or-the-Transit-o/
That's my plan for the transit of Venus, I know I won't get another chance in my lifetime!
taking classes
https://www.zooniverse.org/
It is this great web site where you can help astronomers by classifying galaxies.
1. Get one of those smart phone apps that tell you where everything is in the sky
2. Find out before leaving when and where the planets will be rising and setting, then search from there.
It's pretty cool, the first time I went out to look for it I was all worried I wouldn't be able to spot it, but when it goes overhead you can't miss the thing!
When I was camping this weekend there was a cloud break, my girlfriend looked up and said, "Hey, what's that?" and there it was, the ISS! Kids really like that one, you can explain how there are people riding on it.
If you want to plan for it for next time, you can find sighting info here: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/
The stars were out in force. Surprising what you can see when it is really dark. The Milky way was very very visible. I did not stop as I was very tired and it was 30 degrees out. I still had 5 to 6 hours to drive. I really regret not stopping now. As I now live in Michigan near Detroit. I have since built a 6" Newtonian from Berry book. I have 7 X 50 Binoculars. also a 60 mm Cheapey that I use to look at the sun with a SOLAR shield ( DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN WITH OUT SOMETHING TO PROTECT YOUR EYES) You can't look away fast enough. You could BLIND your self without proper Protection.
I am thinking of making a homemade clock drive to my 6" scope. But that is now on my TO DO list too.
Very nice Scope too. You got my vote.
Thanks for the vote, I'm glad you liked my instructable!
Light Pollution- During one's hunt for the stars one may find them self rather confuzzled on why some constellations are "incomplete" or rather "missing". When I was a small kid I was always taught by...everyone I ever remember...that some stars just don't come out at night, then I grew up and learned the Sun is a star, and it never has not come up. Stars sometimes don't appear because of light pollution. Light pollution is simply the use of lights in cites that creates a haze; fog like. When star wrangling it is recommend that one should be away from light sources, such as going to open fields, and preferably away from cities. To create minimal light, cover flashlights with red plastic, as it dampens the light glare from lens. Do not fret if rural countryside is a long lost dream in the concrete jungles, as star gazing is still completely possible, but a little less effect when looking for stars at a farther distance.
Picture proof: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Light_pollution_It%27s_not_pretty.jpg
I hope that's real nice and helpful! :D
One of the biggest problems I had as a child... xD
Thanks again, I'll add that in!
I already voted, now it's your turn.
Hope this helps
I'm totally addicted to astronomy.
I've basically been following your steps. I did make the mistake of initially buying a small telescope. i think I got lucky because the one I got has turned out to be an ok scope. I've upgraded it a couple times with a new stand, laser spotter & a clock drive.
now one inbetween step that I did, is I started going to "star parties" and did that for a couple years before finally officially joining the clubs.
I'm now at the point of saving up for my next scope....probably a 8"-10" dob.
one thing that I do before I go out is to get online and print out a star chart for that evening. it's a great way to easily spot and help my kids easily spot planets and constellations. I will also go to www.heavensabove.com and check if there will be any satellites will be visible.
when I go out with my kids, one tool that I find invaluable is a green laser pointer. with that I can easily point things out to my kids so that they can learn about the night sky along with me.
I would also really appreciate a vote in the space contest!
I haven't gotten into the hobby yet, but I do look up at the sky every chance I get. It is also one of my 'daily' items on my to-do list to check out the Nasa Astronomy Picture of the Day, at the site you have linked in step 12.
5 of 5 Stars (I'm sure you can see more than that, but thats all Instructibles will let me give you )
By the way, the contest is open for voting and I'd really appreciate your support if you think I've earned it!
Some good advice here about getting to astronomy, and your photos really are amazing.
hrmm, may be spending all my free time on Galaxy Zoo