Ever since the beginning, humankind was fascinated by the stars. So, if you are one of those people who like looking up and admiring the stars, or if you like spending time with a loved one stargazing, astronomy is just the right hobby for you. Because we know just how challenging it can be to pick up a hobby of this kind, we have prepared an article that is packed with pieces of advice from the best in the field.
IMAGE: PEXELS
Do The Reading
One of the most beautiful parts of astronomy is the fact that this is a hobby that requires its practitioners, to keep learning. The kicks that you get from it are related to discovering new celestial bodies up in the ski.
However, if you do not live near an area where you can find an astronomy club, you have to look for explanations and guidelines at your local library or online. The best thing you can do is to do your research and find a telescope that you can use as a novice, this model might be just what you need.
Then, you have to use guides that can help you locate various planets and stars. Even if this part is rather challenging, there is an immense joy that you get once you can look up and proudly say “There’s Orion!”
This is also the time when you should invest in your first star charts, as they can be of great help to you as a novice.
The Lingo
Once you start going through astronomy books, you will most certainly start to find words that you do not know. When this happens, do not despair, this is a step that you simply have to surpass.
So, if you are still struggling to figure out what various terms mean, we recommend that you go online and check out one of the astronomy glossaries that you can find. These glossaries are packed with helpful info and the terms that they include are explained in great detail so that all novices understand them.
When And Where To Stargaze
As a beginner, you probably have little insight about when and where you should go stargazing. Contrary to what you might believe, stargazing in your backyard might not be a good idea, especially if you live in or near a big city.
The main reason for this has to do with light pollution. In and near cities, there is an excessive amount of light that can cause the sky to lose its clarity and become illuminated. This illumination is the cause of your inability to see various celestial bodies clearly. And, even more importantly, you should know that there is no way to correct this problem, regardless of the type of filters or lenses that you use.
In ideal circumstances, the sky should be dark and clear and there should not be any haze or pollution that is visible. The most suitable area where you can go for a clear viewing is away from the cities, on hills or near mountains. The high elevation is recommended because, once you get physically closer to the sky, the atmospheric distortion is minimized and, thus, you will be able to see the stars easily.
Get Help From Experienced Astronomers
If you can, the best thing that you could do is to join an astronomy club. Here you can meet people who share the same passion as you, and you can stay informed and get some first-hand tips and tricks.
However, if there are no such clubs in your city, you can converse with like-minded people online. Plus, if you have the time, you can also search for lectures on this topic. Because fellow hobbyist astronomers are happy to share their passion, you can find plenty of online resources, including step-by-step guides, free apps that you can try and even extensive lists of tips and tricks.
If you are a busy person, that has a demanding job, a good way to make sure that you won’t forget this hobby is by making stargazing an activity that you can share with your family and friends.
At the end of the day, the most important part of stargazing is having fun. So, relax and enjoy this beautiful hobby alone, or in the company of those who matter the most to you.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
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