Start Here
Get Excited
Getting started in Astronomy can be one of the most exciting things you do in your life but it can also be a little overwhelming. I think the number one thing anyone can do to enjoy the hobby is to start somewhere that interest them the most. For me, it was observing some of the spectacular things in our Solar System with my first telescope. Observing Jupiter and its moon is absolutely amazing and Saturn with its rings blew my mind. However, this may not work for you. You may be into the technical gear and learning how to use it or building your own telescope. There are so many different ways to enjoy the night sky that there is probably something for everyone. The main thing is to taste a little bit and then expand from that point.Taste the Stars
The very first thing you should do is find a local astronomy club and go to one of their public star parties. Local Observing Parties are great opportunities to taste the stars without spending any money. You will also find people who are passionate and want to share their passion with you. Most likely there is a club near you and all it takes to find one is to check the National Astronomical Society's list of clubs. You can also head on over to good old Facebook or Google and search for Astronomy Clubs in your state or county as some may not be members of the Astronomical Society. Once you have found a local club look for a calendar or events page and see when and where they do public star parties. Take a friend or family member and go enjoy it.
*I want to add a note here that sometimes people go to see a deep sky object, or some other wonder of the sky, and expect to see the same thing as they see on the internet. A camera sensor is much more sensitive then the human eye and can pick up more of the color spectrum, and then you add in editing and they end up amazing. With your own eye you will probably only see a fraction of it but for me that fraction is amazing. Just don't go in expecting to see a Photoshop picture and you will be good to go.
*I want to add a note here that sometimes people go to see a deep sky object, or some other wonder of the sky, and expect to see the same thing as they see on the internet. A camera sensor is much more sensitive then the human eye and can pick up more of the color spectrum, and then you add in editing and they end up amazing. With your own eye you will probably only see a fraction of it but for me that fraction is amazing. Just don't go in expecting to see a Photoshop picture and you will be good to go.
Now What?
So you have gone to a Star Party, or you have already decided that this a hobby for you, let me be one of the first to welcome you to it! In my short time along this path I have had many nights of great observing and sharing those moments with my family and friends. It truly is something to be shared with all.
The next thing is to decide what you would like to do first. You could go straight to purchasing your own equipment, which is usually exciting for those that like new gear and learning how to use it. OR you could start simple and download free apps and learn the night sky such as constellations, the brightest stars, the Moon, and where the planets are located depending on the time of year. This is something that you need to determine for yourself and how much money you are willing to start with. For this post, I am going to focus on a budget under $100. Everything I reference about below, and on my next posts, are things I personal own, have owned, or is very similar to something I have owned.
$0 - $100 Budget
If your budget is $0 don't be discouraged there is a lot to learn and observe. Get your phone out and search for a free app called SkyPortal or click on your device type to go to the app page: Android or iOS. This app is by Celestron and I really like it as it is a watered down version of SkySafari, which many individuals in this hobby recommend and use. Using SkyPortal will make it so the learning curve for SkySafari is minimal in the future. I personally own SkySafari 6 Plus but it does cost money. SkyPortal is free so it is a perfect place to start!!!
If you don't want a digital device you can print and make your own Planisphere here. A Planisphere is something you can hold in your hand and use to orient the sky anytime of the year. This will assist you in finding constellations, stars, and milky way. The link above does have a section of how to use a planisphere but here is a video as well. Once you have an app, or Planishpere, just spend time outside learning the sky. Try to go to more Club Star Parties in your area and view some of the wonders for free and get to know the different types of equipment and the views they provide. This will come in handy when you decide to invest money into a telescope or other equipment.
If you have a little bit of money the first thing I would recommend is a good book that can teach you the basics of Astronomy. I highly recommend The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
written by Terence Dickinson & Alan Dyer. This book covers from beginner to advanced stuff including equipment, different celestial things to observe, Astrophotography and more. It really is a great way to build a foundation of knowledge and will pay dividends as you progress down this path. It is a little dated so the pricing of the equipment wont be accurate but the technology really hasn't changed too much. The book goes for $49 and is a bargain in my opinion.
The next thing should be a pair of binoculars so you can look a little closer from your own backyard and not rely on star parties. If you already own a pair use those as there is no need to purchase any new ones. I personally own and have really enjoyed the Celestron 71198 Cometron 7x50 Binoculars.
At $35 it is hard to pass up such a quality pair of binoculars. They are lightweight and I have enjoyed the clear views though them. You will be able to see more stars and some deep sky objects with them. For really quick observation sessions a good pair of binoculars is the tool you will want. In fact, I didn't have a lot of time but wanted to see Venus and Mercury last night so I pulled these out and could see both in the field of view.
If you don't want a digital device you can print and make your own Planisphere here. A Planisphere is something you can hold in your hand and use to orient the sky anytime of the year. This will assist you in finding constellations, stars, and milky way. The link above does have a section of how to use a planisphere but here is a video as well. Once you have an app, or Planishpere, just spend time outside learning the sky. Try to go to more Club Star Parties in your area and view some of the wonders for free and get to know the different types of equipment and the views they provide. This will come in handy when you decide to invest money into a telescope or other equipment.
If you have a little bit of money the first thing I would recommend is a good book that can teach you the basics of Astronomy. I highly recommend The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
written by Terence Dickinson & Alan Dyer. This book covers from beginner to advanced stuff including equipment, different celestial things to observe, Astrophotography and more. It really is a great way to build a foundation of knowledge and will pay dividends as you progress down this path. It is a little dated so the pricing of the equipment wont be accurate but the technology really hasn't changed too much. The book goes for $49 and is a bargain in my opinion.
The next thing should be a pair of binoculars so you can look a little closer from your own backyard and not rely on star parties. If you already own a pair use those as there is no need to purchase any new ones. I personally own and have really enjoyed the Celestron 71198 Cometron 7x50 Binoculars.
At $35 it is hard to pass up such a quality pair of binoculars. They are lightweight and I have enjoyed the clear views though them. You will be able to see more stars and some deep sky objects with them. For really quick observation sessions a good pair of binoculars is the tool you will want. In fact, I didn't have a lot of time but wanted to see Venus and Mercury last night so I pulled these out and could see both in the field of view.
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