On a clear dark night escape the city lights and look up at the sky. If the star filled night sky fascinates you or instills you with a sense of awe, join the many amateur astronomers pursuing astronomy as a hobby. It can be richly rewarding.
Start with Naked Eyes
Many aspiring amateur astronomers think they need to buy an expensive telescope to get started. Many people who start this way are overwhelmed by the complexity of the telescope, cannot figure out how to use it, and leave it in a closet gathering dust.
Start small. Find a convenient safe location with dark skies. Get a red flashlight to preserve night vision. (Cheap red fingernail polish works.) Use a star map and naked eyes to begin learning constellations.
Learning the first constellation can be difficult, but it becomes easier after learning the first few. Joining a local amateur astronomy club can provide mentors eager to teach you the basics of the night sky. Two new products: Celestron's Sky Scout and Meade's mySky, are high tech tools that can help beginners learn constellations. Astronomy and Sky and Telescope magazines both have monthly star maps and information about where planets and other interesting objects are located.
Use Binoculars
After gaining a basic familiarity with the night sky, it is time to use optical observing aids. Before buying a telescope, become proficient with binocular observing. Observe the Moon and bright planets and other celestial sights with binoculars. Resting one's elbows on a car roof can help hold the binoculars steady. Binoculars are easy to use, less expensive than telescopes, and adaptable to terrestrial use if the astronomy hobby does not work out.
Buying a First Telescope
If astronomy is still interesting after becoming a proficient binocular observer, then it is time to buy a first telescope. Learn about the different types and purposes of astronomical telescopes.
Reflecting telescopes have mirrors, and refracting telescopes have lenses as the primary optical element. There are many low quality refractors, but high quality refracting telescopes are far more expensive than similar sized reflecting telescopes. Hence serious amateur astronomers often have reflecting telescopes.
Do not be impressed by high magnification. Magnifying power is the least important property of a telescope. Magnifying a crummy image simply produces a bigger crummy image. Even with the most ideal sky conditions magnifying an image more than about 50 power for every inch of the telescope's aperture just yields a big crummy image.
Resolving power and light gathering power are much more important. They allow seeing fine details and faint objects. Both of these properties depend on the aperture, or diameter, of the primary mirror or lens. For the best views of the night sky, buy the largest aperture that fits your budget and storage space. A high quality mount is also important.
To learn more, seek advice from experienced members of the local astronomy club and from the magazines for amateur astronomers, such as Astronomy or Sky and Telescope.
Advanced Amateurs
Advanced amateur astronomers might be interested in astrophotography with astronomical CCD cameras. Amateurs often contribute to astronomy by such activities as estimating the brightness of variable stars and searching for new comets or supernovae. The American Association of Variable Star Observers collects brightness data on variable stars from amateur astronomers.
Many young people start as amateur astronomers and eventually become professional astronomers. Most find other careers but continue to pursue astronomy as a very rewarding lifelong hobby.
Paul A. Heckert - I have a Ph.D. in astrophysics, over 30 years experience teaching physics and astronomy, and over 60 published research articles.
