Stargazing is something that anyone and everyone can take up as a hobby, and for many, it’s an inspiring and stress-relieving way to spend time. With casual observers able to simply grab a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope, and gaze up at the skies without interruption, for hours on end, stargazing makes for an accessible and thoroughly enjoyable pastime.
If you’re interested in stargazing as a hobby, here are a few handy hints to help you get as much as you can out of the experience:
Observe the moon
As incredible as it is, the moon can be seen by everyone, at the same time, from all four corners of the globe, and observing it with a Regal M2 100ED spotting scope is a fantastic way to kick off your stargazing hobby. That said, when you start looking at the moon, be sure to look at it at a similar time every night, as this will help you spot any changes in its size and colour that can be fun to observe.
Note that you’ll get the best stargazing experience before the moon is in its full shape, so check the moon’s phases before deciding which night to head out with your spotting scope.
Look at the Sun
Firstly, it’s important to mention that you should never look directly at the sun, as this can harm your vision irreparably. Watching the sun carefully, however, can help you spot small differences to the point at which its rises and sets, and make for some interesting observations to note in your stargazing journal.
Make use of charts
Charts can be a great way of keeping you engaged, and can help you track what you see each time you stargaze. Fortunately, there are a variety of charts you can print off online, and having these with you will make the whole experience more interactive and fun.
Download apps
With the help of popular stargazing apps, you can gain a whole host of intriguing insights about the stars and planets you’re observing.
Look out for patterns
Once you gain confidence as a stargazer, you can use a systematic approach to spot constellations and find the patterns in star clusters. You’ll likely find plenty of pieces of apparatus within the Celestron range of spotting scopes and binoculars, to help you search for and observe, patterns of stars.
Switch up your stargazing hotspots
You may not realise it if you’re new to stargazing, but the sky at night rarely remains constant, and observing the sky from different places and at different times of the year, can give you a remarkable insight into the workings of the cosmos.
Connect with fellow stargazers
By joining clubs and online groups for stargazing, you can exchange information, swap tips and perhaps even find some new stargazing buddies to observe the night skies with!
Additionally, if you’re stargazing close to your home, be sure to turn all of the lights off to reduce light pollution and give you a clearer, uninhibited view of the night sky.
With so many affordable optical devices available for stargazers to buy, this hobby has never been as appealing or accessible as it is today, and to start your pastime as a stargazer, simply follow the advice above and get gazing!
