Litabi
The universe is a big place, and humans down here on Earth are again beginning to take a big interest in the happenings around us.
NASA is planning to reboot manned spacecraft and space exploration for the first time in decades, helping to stir up the interest of an entirely new generation of stargazers.
Additionally, the 2017 solar eclipse has caused even more people to take notice of the skies.
Whether you are a young person with aspirations of joining the next manned vessel or simply an amateur astronomy enthusiast with a love for the stars, there are a few necessary tools that you will need in order to see things properly.
Beyond the telescope and other vital instruments of astronomy, there are also a few cool toys and gadgets which help make stargazing even more enjoyable.
This guide is designed to explain a few of the most important tools and toys for amateur astronomers, novice stargazers, and future astronauts.
Getting Started
If you are just getting your start in viewing the universe, you are likely to be excited and ready to dive in with both feet.
Unfortunately, many novice stargazers quickly get in over their heads with expensive equipment and complex concepts. The universe has a lot to see, but in order to properly take it all in, you will need to begin small.
This should go without saying, but the best way to get started in your new hobby is to go outside and look up.
Spend some time under the stars, viewing the sky with your naked eyes and getting yourself acquainted with some of the brighter stars and more prevalent constellations.
This can go a long way in helping you get oriented and gain the proper perspective before viewing things more closely.
Luckily, you will not have to be aimlessly gazing around with no guide or understanding; modern mobile devices can help with that.
There are a number of good astronomy apps that you can download and use to get better oriented with the stars around you.
Most of them can be used with the camera on your phone to help identify constellations and other important celestial bodies.
The Right Telescope
Your telescope is going to be the most important tool of your stargazing activities, and you will need to consider several factors carefully when choosing the right one.
The best way to decide is to first determine exactly what your needs are and the specific purposes for which the telescope is to be used. To start out, you will need to choose between four basic types of telescope:
- Reflector
- Refractor
- Hybrid
- Dobsonian
Additional Tools
You can enjoy the night sky simply with your telescope, but you will likely need a few additional tools to get the most of it.
As you progress in astronomy, you may want to make larger investments and move onto more sophisticated equipment and toys like the Celestron Nexstar 6SE computerized telescope.
But it is important to remember not to get ahead of yourself. Your first additional purchases should still focus on the basics such as:
- Observing chair
- Flashlight
- Portable power source
- Planetarium software
- Maps and guidebooks
- Notebooks and astronomy diary
Once you have these and any other specific necessities, you are ready to answer the call of the stars and view the universe unlike ever before.
I hope that you have now come to know how to go with amateur stargazing! Do you have any thoughts to share?
