There are millions of celestial objects within reach of amateur astronomers. From star hopping to your first object to exploring distant galaxies, we provide the know-how in these helpful articles.
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What Will You See in a Telescope
Discover The Wonders Which Await You!
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Astronomy with Binoculars
Binoculars are an ideal instrument for touring the heavens. Considerations for choosing a good sky bino and 10 favorite binocular objects are covered.
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Star Hopping 101
Learn how to navigate from star to star.
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Observing Meteors
You don't need any equipment at all to see these fiery invaders from outer space.
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Observing the Sun
Who said astronomy has to be done in the dark? Learn how to safely view our nearest star and what it will reveal.
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Observing the Planets
You don't need an inky-dark sky to view these awe-inspiring orbs. Here's how to get the best look and what you're likely to see.
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Observing the Moon
Usually the first, and certainly the easiest, target for beginning astronomers, the Moon holds endless fascination even for seasoned telescope jocks.
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Observing Satellites: How to Find Iridium, Shuttle or the ISS
Guide on how to spot these moving human made targets.
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Observing Double Stars
There are scads of double and multiple stars up there, and they can fun to observe. Along with some good how-to info, we give you a list of some of the better ones.
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Observing Variable Stars
Watch these stars change in brightness over time, and learn how they do it. A table of some interesting variables is included.
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Observing Constellations
Here's an introduction to the patterns of stars known as constellations. Learning to recognize a few of them is a first step for any stargazing enthusiast.
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Observing Deep Sky Objects
From galaxies to globular clusters, these exotic objects put your equipment and visual skills to the test. This article provides great observing tips and our "Top 10" coolest objects to check out.
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Stars and Deep Sky Objects
A concise review of the basic "food groups" of the night sky: star clusters, nebulas, galaxies, and double and variable stars.
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The Messier Objects
They're the most frequently gazed-upon galaxies, nebulas, and clusters in the night sky. Learn who Messier was and how this famous collection of objects came to be.
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Seeing in the Dark
This article covers why dark-adaptation of eyesight is so important in visual astronomy, and some simple things you can do to improve your night vision.
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Sketching at the Telescope
Despite the advent of photography and CCD imaging, many amateur astronomers today prefer to sketch what they see in the eyepiece.
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Dealing with Dew
Dew can put a "damp-er" (pun intended) on an evening's stargazing session.
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Celestial Coordinates
We'll help you understand the grid system used to designate positions of celestial objects, and tell you how it's useful in amateur astronomy.
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Star Magnitudes
The stars that dot the night sky run the gamut from bright beacons to dim little pinpricks. Learn more in this helpful article.
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