Question How to get started with Astronomy?

Oct 7, 2024
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Hey! I’m Mason, I’ve always been interested in Astronomy and space in general. But, where do I start? This question has been haunting me for a while since I have no clue where to begin, projects, and just in general how to know about space.

If anyone could help me with this question I would be more than happy as a new member of the forums. Thanks!
- Mason725803
 
When I was young, I was fascinated by the stars and planets. I went to the library and read everything I could get my hands on. Start with the simple things you do need to know, like the constellations, how position is measured, the different times used. Let your curiosity guide you. You do not need a mentor nor do you need formal education, it can be done solo.
 
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Oct 7, 2024
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When I was young, I was fascinated by the stars and planets. I went to the library and read everything I could get my hands on. Start with the simple things you do need to know, like the constellations, how position is measured, the different times used. Let your curiosity guide you. You do not need a mentor nor do you need formal education, it can be done solo.
Thank you, that helps a lot, I was planning on heading to the library also and am currently viewing a crash course (it doesn’t make much sense). Is there anything else I should know to get started?
 
Yes, forget about a telescope until much later. Start with 7 power binoculars. Scopes can be very expensive, very difficult to use, very fragile. Things such a details on the surface of Mars require high magnification which means expensive mountings, lots of fiddling around. Your second scope might be a spotting scope, up around 20 power. That's about the limit for being hand held and braced. When you get up to 30 power you need a tripod. Good details on Mars would be up around 250 power. Very precise motor drive required. Very precise collimation needed. Good alignment to due north. Work your way up gradually. Go to the pawn shops and junk stores. They are littered with 4.5" Newtonian reflectors on tripods that people got out of collimation. You can't see anything, it's all fuzzy. Deep price discount. Same with big binoculars. Thirty power binos go out of collimation easily, just by setting down hard. You must take them apart and turn tiny screws to get the two images together. Joe Average can't do this, sells them for pennies.
 
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Catastrophe

"Science begets knowledge, opinion ignorance.
Hi Mason,

First of all, Billslugg is a highly respected member, and his advice is good, especially if you are interested in actually observing.

I am 85, and have been interested for 75 years. I started with a small telescope, and there is certainly a kick to be had from actually seeing astronomical objects. As I got older, I realised that there were books and magazines with wonderful photographs, and now close up pictures from space vehicles, far beyond the realm of amateur telescopes. "forget about a telescope until much later" is good advice.

It is entirely up to you, depending on what interests you most. I can remember, initially, the thrill of seeing the real objects, even if they were only tiny bright dots. Then when I saw close up pictures of the real thing. Both so interesting in their own ways. Maybe there is a club or observatory within visiting distance from you, so you might get an intermediary view?

The library, of course, is an excellent step. You might like to get the occasional reference book - perhaps a sky atlas. Star charts give you 'pegs to hang your increasing knowledge on to'.

You can look at magazines on eBay, but beware silly prices. There are realistic prices too.


Same applies to books.


Then there are thousands of things to Google, e.g., Jupiter:


Best wishes for your adventure towards the stars.

Cat :)
 
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Catastrophe

"Science begets knowledge, opinion ignorance.
Mason, if you are still around, I have another thought, which is to buy something like this on ebay.


I believe there is a newer edition for around £10.

You then have hard copy permanently at home, and can update using Google.

Cat :)
 
Welcome aboard, Mason.

You're off to a good start coming here. You can use the search tool to find information on a huge range of topics.

Youtube videos are also numerous and these will more likely give you mainstream science information.

There are free on-line courses from several sources, if you want to get more serious.

You might want to pay attention to the areas of astronomy that interest you. I've got several telescopes but I spend a lot more time here. I also spend more time with amateur astrophysics, which helps me understand how things work. I happen to enjoy playing with all the new data astronomers have gathered for exoplanets.

For instance. cosmology (Big Bang theory) is a very extensive field that is understandable at some levels, and very difficult when diving deep (e.g. General Relativity).

We live in a golden age for astronomy.
 
Dec 6, 2024
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You can always also watch YouTube videos and such to find knowledge except you might have to fact check a lot of the stuff you find Youtube originally got me interested in space. Another great thing to watch is star talk
 

COLGeek

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You can always also watch YouTube videos and such to find knowledge except you might have to fact check a lot of the stuff you find Youtube originally got me interested in space. Another great thing to watch is star talk
Please don't consider YT as a definitive source for factual information. MUCH of what is found there is "garbage science" at best.

If you see something of interest, cross reference with more definitive sites to confirm the validity of said content/theory/etc.
 
Nov 24, 2022
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It's the same with all information though isn't it? We should never completely believe anything we read or hear without checking it.
 

COLGeek

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It's the same with all information though isn't it? We should never completely believe anything we read or hear without checking it.
Yes. Agreed.

So many assume much when it comes to YT authenticity. They would be mistaken.

This can be very true of other sources as well.
 
Oct 10, 2024
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Join Cloudy Nights. There are multiple forums that are dedicated to specific areas like mounts, refractors, reflectors, cameras, eyepieces, and so on. You're in for a wild ride I hope you enjoy it as much as the rest of us star gazers do.
 
Dec 6, 2024
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Please don't consider YT as a definitive source for factual information. MUCH of what is found there is "garbage science" at best.

If you see something of interest, cross reference with more definitive sites to confirm the validity of said content/theory/etc.
But it is a great way to get people that are new to learning about astronomy to enjoy it even if some of the facts are not completely correct and also there is a good basis but if you want to learn about intricate equations go find scientific documents
 

COLGeek

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But it is a great way to get people that are new to learning about astronomy to enjoy it even if some of the facts are not completely correct and also there is a good basis but if you want to learn about intricate equations go find scientific documents
Sure, that is true to a point. Just don't assume all are made from a factual basis. That is where many go wrong and not just with the topics at hand, but nearly all others as well.
 
Dec 6, 2024
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Understood but it is an amazing way to get people interested in space and it lays a sturdy foundation to build Knowledge on top of
 
After you acclimatize astronomy for a while, I suggest a large sack of salt. Many grains will be needed, for whatever theory you pursue.

Astronomy will never be boring, no matter what direction you look. Or which color you study.
 
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Oct 10, 2024
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But it is a great way to get people that are new to learning about astronomy to enjoy it even if some of the facts are not completely correct and also there is a good basis but if you want to learn about intricate equations go find scientific documents
Youtube is awash with "educational " videos that are flat out wrong, and a good majority of the "reviews" and "box openings" are produced by people who are being paid by the manufacturer. Ask yourself these questions: What is the ratio of good to bad reviews of this product? How many times and by whom was this product reviewed? The bottom line is Youtube is a business and just like any other business its sole purpose is to make money. If you want to get the low down on Astro gear, go to Cloudy Nights.
 

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