You can begin to enjoy
backyard astronomy with
no other tools than your
own two eyes.However, a
good pair of binoculars
will help take you to the
next level. These
Bushnell Falcon
Binoculars are ideal for
observing the night sky.
backyard astronomy with
no other tools than your
own two eyes.However, a
good pair of binoculars
will help take you to the
next level. These
Bushnell Falcon
Binoculars are ideal for
observing the night sky.
Looking for a good
beginner's guide to
backyard astronomy? Try
one of these two excellent
selections:
beginner's guide to
backyard astronomy? Try
one of these two excellent
selections:
| New! Backyard Astronomy Starter Kit. We suggest that you consider this unique astronomy starter kit from our friends at The Discovery Channel Store. Everything you need to begin exploring the heavens on your next clear night: |
Astronomy - An Introduction
An Introduction to BACKYARD ASTRONOMY in 4 easy steps.
Backyard astronomy can be an exciting and rewarding hobby for anyone. No
formal scientific training is necessary. Astronomy is the study of the stars, planets
and other fascinating objects in the universe around us. (Not to be confused with
ASTROLOGY, which attempts to relate the positions of the stars or planets with
events in our lives.) Although professional astronomers use sophisticated
equipment to perform their research, backyard astronomers need only their eyes
to get started. Once interest takes root and grows, then a good pair of binoculars,
or perhaps even a telescope, can further enhance the experience. Try these four
easy steps to begin to experience the wonder of backyard astronomy.
1. Get oriented. Yes, you're going to be looking UP, but you need to know which
way you're facing. So pay attention to where the sun is rising and setting. With
your left arm pointing in the direction of the rising sun and your right arm pointing
in the direction of the setting sun you will be facing SOUTH. Therefore, behind
you is NORTH. To your left is EAST and to your right is WEST. Make a mental
note of which local landmarks line up with these compass points.
2. Find the "Big Dipper". Now you need a clear night. After about an hour after
sunset, find a spot with as unobstructed a view of the nighttime sky as possible.
Since you know your directions from Step 1, face NORTH. The Big Dipper is part
of the constellation Ursa Major - the Greater Bear. You're looking for this:
Note: This time of year, at about 10:00 p.m., the Big
Dipper is oriented with the handle to the right (east) and
the bowl to the left (west) in the northern sky. Said another
way, the Big Dipper appears to be "upside down".
3. Find and Mizar and Alcor. Look carefully at the middle star in the handle of the
Big Dipper. If your eyesight is average or better, you'll notice a second dimmer
star close by. The brighter star is named "Mizar", its dimmer companion is "Alcor".
This pair was considered to be a test of eyesight in ancient times. Mizar and Alcor
comprise a double star. This particular double star is an "optical" double; that is,
the stars line up along our line of sight and are not actually orbiting one-another.
A good pair of binoculars or a small telescope will reveal that Mizar is itself a
double star.
4. Find the North Star. A common misconception is that the North Star (also
known as Polaris) is a bright star, perhaps the brightest star in the nighttime sky.
Actually, the North Star is not very bright at all. What is special about it is the fact
that it happens to nearly line up with the axis of the Earth's rotation. As a result, it
is nearly fixed in the sky and all of the other stars appear to follow a circular path
around the North Star. Once you know how to find Polaris, you will always know
what direction you're facing - provided the sky is clear! Using the Big Dipper as a
starting point, look at the two stars which define the outer line of the bowl. (See the
diagram below.) Now simply follow a line along these two stars in the direction
away from the top of the bowl and the first conspicuous star you arrive at is the
North Star. You’ll notice that it is dimmer than all but one of the stars in the Big
Dipper.
Congratulations! You’ve taken the
first step on what could be an
enjoyable life-long interest, and you
likely already know more about the
nighttime sky than most everyone
you know.
Copyright 2004-2007 NewExplorations.Net
All rights reserved.
Watch for future Explorations on naked-eye and binocular backyard astronomy.
Backyard astronomy can be an exciting and rewarding hobby for anyone. No
formal scientific training is necessary. Astronomy is the study of the stars, planets
and other fascinating objects in the universe around us. (Not to be confused with
ASTROLOGY, which attempts to relate the positions of the stars or planets with
events in our lives.) Although professional astronomers use sophisticated
equipment to perform their research, backyard astronomers need only their eyes
to get started. Once interest takes root and grows, then a good pair of binoculars,
or perhaps even a telescope, can further enhance the experience. Try these four
easy steps to begin to experience the wonder of backyard astronomy.
1. Get oriented. Yes, you're going to be looking UP, but you need to know which
way you're facing. So pay attention to where the sun is rising and setting. With
your left arm pointing in the direction of the rising sun and your right arm pointing
in the direction of the setting sun you will be facing SOUTH. Therefore, behind
you is NORTH. To your left is EAST and to your right is WEST. Make a mental
note of which local landmarks line up with these compass points.
2. Find the "Big Dipper". Now you need a clear night. After about an hour after
sunset, find a spot with as unobstructed a view of the nighttime sky as possible.
Since you know your directions from Step 1, face NORTH. The Big Dipper is part
of the constellation Ursa Major - the Greater Bear. You're looking for this:
Note: This time of year, at about 10:00 p.m., the Big
Dipper is oriented with the handle to the right (east) and
the bowl to the left (west) in the northern sky. Said another
way, the Big Dipper appears to be "upside down".
3. Find and Mizar and Alcor. Look carefully at the middle star in the handle of the
Big Dipper. If your eyesight is average or better, you'll notice a second dimmer
star close by. The brighter star is named "Mizar", its dimmer companion is "Alcor".
This pair was considered to be a test of eyesight in ancient times. Mizar and Alcor
comprise a double star. This particular double star is an "optical" double; that is,
the stars line up along our line of sight and are not actually orbiting one-another.
A good pair of binoculars or a small telescope will reveal that Mizar is itself a
double star.
4. Find the North Star. A common misconception is that the North Star (also
known as Polaris) is a bright star, perhaps the brightest star in the nighttime sky.
Actually, the North Star is not very bright at all. What is special about it is the fact
that it happens to nearly line up with the axis of the Earth's rotation. As a result, it
is nearly fixed in the sky and all of the other stars appear to follow a circular path
around the North Star. Once you know how to find Polaris, you will always know
what direction you're facing - provided the sky is clear! Using the Big Dipper as a
starting point, look at the two stars which define the outer line of the bowl. (See the
diagram below.) Now simply follow a line along these two stars in the direction
away from the top of the bowl and the first conspicuous star you arrive at is the
North Star. You’ll notice that it is dimmer than all but one of the stars in the Big
Dipper.
Congratulations! You’ve taken the
first step on what could be an
enjoyable life-long interest, and you
likely already know more about the
nighttime sky than most everyone
you know.
Copyright 2004-2007 NewExplorations.Net
All rights reserved.
Watch for future Explorations on naked-eye and binocular backyard astronomy.
NewExplorations.Net
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