Dark-sky destinations have become increasingly popular in the past year or two, and astrotourism is on the rise. Even though the nights don’t seem to be getting any darker during lockdown, the hours at home have inspired a return to nature-related hobbies of all stripes. If your curiosity has been piqued by the stargazing trend, it’s easy to get started from home. Here’s everything you need to know to dip a toe in astral waters.
1. Get used to looking up
It may be counterintuitive for city dwellers who’ve spent years internalizing the message that craning your neck toward the heavens makes you seem like a gawking tourist, but truly, the first step to becoming a stargazer is the easiest: start looking up and observing as much as you can.
“Go outside at night, and just look up and start getting to know what’s up there,” advises Amateur Astronomers Association of New York president Irene Pease. “Get a feel for how the night sky moves as the earth rotates – how it moves through the night and from season to season; see the planets and the moon shifting positions.”
There’s no magic formula – any time of night and any time of year is fine; you just want to be out there whenever the weather is clear. “The more you look, the more you’ll see,” explains American Astronomical Society press officer Rick Fienberg. “The more often you go outside and observe, the faster you’ll become familiar with the night sky, and the more satisfying the experience will be.”
2. Don’t forget the map
Speaking of orientation: You probably wouldn’t set off on a road trip without having a map on hand, and you won’t get far stargazing without one either. There are a number of tools to help you make sense of what you’re seeing; both Fienberg and Pease recommend a planisphere – an adjustable star wheel that shows what’s going to be up in the night sky at a given date and time.
“One of the first things a new stargazer learns is that we see different parts of the sky from different latitudes on earth,” Fienberg says. “Planispheres are available for different latitudes, both north and south. Get the one designed for the latitude closest to you.”
There are also all-sky star charts, websites, and apps that identify what you’re seeing when you point your phone at the sky, all of which can enhance your stargazing experience. The key is to have something to guide your viewing so you’ll be able to learn some constellations, identify bright stars and planets, and understand why things move differently depending on which direction you’re looking.
3. Do your homework
Ultimately, you’ll have the best results if you combine hands-on observation with reading and research. For beginners, Pease suggests Skymaps.com. “They create a monthly map showing the brightest objects in the night sky – the brightest stars and outlines of the constellations.”
Sky & Telescope, where Fienberg served as editor-in-chief, features an evening all-sky chart as its centerfold and is a great resource for newbies. Moreover, there’s Astronomy, another monthly magazine filled with useful information for beginners.
For apps, both Pease and Fienberg recommend Stellarium. “You set your location and time, and it shows you the sky as it appears right now,” Fienberg notes. Other notable apps include SkySafari and SkyView, both of which can help you identify thousands of celestial points, including stars, planets, and galaxies.
4. Pick a good target
There are numerous objects in the sky that, once you know where to look, can lead to more discoveries. The moon, for instance, is incredibly simple to spot and is an excellent target to aim for with binoculars or a telescope. “The moon is the easiest thing to find in the night sky,” Fienberg explains. It provides visibility shifts depending on its phase, revealing surface details even through ordinary binoculars.
Using the moon as a marker can also help you locate fainter constellations. “It’s a great big sky, but the moon’s brightness can guide you in finding other celestial objects nearby,” Pease elaborates.
Don’t forget about the planets! They can be brighter than most stars and are easily visible through binoculars. The better-known constellations like the Big Dipper, Orion, Sagittarius, and Scorpius are also enjoyable to find.
5. Put on the red light
If you’ve seen a reddish tinge in photographs taken during astronomical outings, there’s a valid reason for it: to read star wheels or sky charts, it’s best to use a red flashlight. “This prevents dazzling your eyes and makes it easier to see the stars,” Fienberg advises.
“It can take 20 to 30 minutes to get fully dark-adapted,” notes Pease. “You want your pupils to dilate as much as possible.” Steer clear of your phone’s bright white light. Instead, consider investing in a dedicated stargazer’s flashlight or taping red cellophane over a regular flashlight.
6. Forget the telescope – for now
The good news is you don’t need to rush out and buy expensive equipment to enjoy a satisfying stargazing experience when you’re just starting out. “For beginners, I always recommend binoculars,” Pease states, which can make learning the night sky much easier and are simple to use.
Fienberg concurs, praising binoculars for providing a right-side-up image and a larger field of view compared to most telescopes. You may even have binoculars lying around your house already!
Eventually, you might want a telescope, but remember that you don’t need the largest or most complicated model to start. Choose something simple to set up to avoid frustration, which could lead to it collecting dust instead of being used.
Your decision will depend on your skill level and budget. If you recognize most constellations and can utilize star charts effectively, you might consider a ‘Go To’ telescope with automated features; however, be cautious — these require a bit of sky sense to set up correctly.
Instead of purchasing equipment sight-unseen, find your local astronomy club. Attend a star party where you can try various gear and learn more about what is available.
