Backyard astronomy can be an incredibly rewarding and inspiring hobby. Gazing at the stars, planets, and celestial objects with your own telescope allows you to explore space from the comfort of home. Getting started does not have to be complicated or expensive with the right guidance. Follow this beginner’s guide to turn your backyard into your own personal observatory.
Table of Contents
Getting Started
The best way to begin is to start simple. Don’t get overwhelmed trying to take in everything all at once when you first look through a telescope. Instead, take the time to familiarize yourself with the night sky during different seasons and learn to identify brighter stars and constellations.
Learn the Basics
- Learn how to identify major stars like Polaris, the North Star and constellations like Orion and Ursa Major. This will make navigating the night sky much easier.
- Understand that stars rise and set at different times based on your location and the season. Learn to predict which stars will be visible on a given night.
- Invest in a planisphere or download a sky mapping app to help locate celestial objects.
Choose Your First Telescope
- Consider an entry-level beginner telescope under $500 to start out. More advanced telescopes can easily cost thousands of dollars.
- For visual observation, a reflector telescope with an aperture between 6 to 8 inches is ideal for beginners. This allows you to see brighter deep sky objects.
- Make sure the telescope mount is sturdy enough for the tube size you choose. An equatorial mount that moves with the night sky is recommended.
Setting Up Your Viewing Station
Creating an optimal backyard viewing environment will maximize what you can see on any given night.
Location, Location, Location
- Choose an observation area with a clear view of larger areas of the sky, free from obstructions like trees and buildings. Face north or south to take advantage of more visible sky.
- Light pollution greatly impacts what you can see. Travel to a dark sky location if possible or set up portable shields to block ambient light.
- Check weather conditions like cloud cover and humidity which can obscure celestial objects even on clear nights.
Comfort Is Key
- Set up functional seating to view the sky for extended periods. Reclining lawn chairs, blankets, or even a sofa can work nicely.
- Consider creature comforts like bug spray, layers of warm clothing, snacks, red flashlights, power packs, dew heaters, and power inverters.
- Allow time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least 30 minutes for better night vision.
Observing Celestial Bodies
Once your backyard observatory is fully equipped, it’s time to explore a variety of astronomical objects light years away.
Bright Solar System Bodies
- View craters and maria (seas) on the moon along with other details. Look for earthshine reflecting from the moon.
- Discern cloud bands, the great red spot, and moons orbiting Jupiter.
- Identify rings around Saturn and possibly detail on its surface.
- Look for ice caps on Mars and follow its retrograde motion.
Deep Sky Objects
- Look for stellar nurseries and nebulae like The Orion Nebula, Triffid Nebula, and Lagoon Nebula glowing beautifully with hydrogen gas and newly forming stars.
- Identify open clusters like Pleiades and the Beehive Cluster with hundreds of young stars.
- Spot globular clusters, dense spherical collections of stars orbiting the Milky Way galaxy.
The Milky Way
- Gaze in awe at the luminous band of our home galaxy stretching across the night sky during summer and fall months.
- Identify darker dust lanes weaving through the dense center bulge.
Expanding Your Knowledge
To fuel your passion for astronomy, continue advancing your skills. Consider the following:
- Join an astronomy club to meet other enthusiasts and learn from their experience.
- Attend star parties several times a year to look through telescopes you may not own.
- Enroll in online courses, certificate programs, or even an advanced degree in astronomy.
- Subscribe to magazines like Sky & Telescope or Astronomy to stay current.
- Attend astronomy conferences and events around the country.
