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Guide to Backyard Astronomy

Mankind has been fascinated by what lays beyond the stars since long before we can recall, and astronomy is becoming one of America’s favorite pastimes. Formerly the sole reserve of scientists and science fiction enthusiasts, more and more of us are discovering the pleasures of planet spotting and stargazing.

If you’re ever feeling a little blue or worried, try just heading out and gazing at the night sky. You’ll be amazed at how quickly we realize that we are tiny and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

If you are ready to make a journey to the stars without leaving the comfort of your own home – or, at the very least, your home planet – this guide will discuss the many and varied ways that you can indulge in a little amateur astronomy.

General Information

There are plenty of sources of general information on the subject of astronomy all over the internet.

  • NASA is obviously the best place to start, and they offer a guide to backyard astronomy for anybody looking to take up this hobby.
  • As the name suggests, Astronomy for Beginners is a great resource for anybody new to stargazing.
  • This glossary of stargazing terms ensures that you will speak the lingo.
  • EarthSky is a constantly updated resource of information on all matters relating to the cosmos.
  • Astronomy Magazine is a popular periodical published in the USA.
  • Space,com is the website owned by Elon Musk, featuring updates on this eccentric businessman’s interstellar adventures in addition to general information on space.
  • Astronomy.net is hardly cutting edge in the web design department, but it does provide a feast of text-heavy information and data for aspiring astronomers.
  • Cornell University’s Ask an Astronomer page is a wealth of information for anybody with queries about the history of the universe.

The History of astronomy

Was your childhood imagination captured by the adventures of the Star Trek crew? Well, it’s not just fictional characters that have boldly gone. If you’re interested in learning more about some of the men and women that have taken giant leaps for mankind, here are some resources.

Equipment Required for Amateur Astronomy

Of course, if you’re going to need to engage in astronomy from your backyard or elsewhere in the home you’ll need to pick up the appropriate equipment. There can be a lot of options out there, so lets take a look at some of the most appropriate guides.

  • SeaSky discusses the many and varied pieces of equipment that a backyard astronomer could make use of, as does Awesome astronomy.
  • Deep Astronomy has a guide to what to look out for when buying a telescope.
  • More advanced astronomers may benefit from this guide from AstroBackyard, which caters to so-called ‘deep sky imaging’.
  • If you’re looking to get a younger member of your family interested in the stars, Space.com has a guide to the best equipment for children.
  • Sky and Telescope Magazine digs deep into possible guides and equipment.

Stargazing from Your Own Home

If you’re looking to make some home improvements that will enable you to indulge your interest in astronomy, there are a handful of things that you can consider.

  • Conservatories Etc provide some tips on how you could convert your sunroom into an observatory.
  • Sky and Telescope Magazine provides suggestions on what to avoid when building a backyard observatory.
  • Astronomy Knowhow has a step-by-step guide as to how somebody build their own observatory so they could watch the stars from their own home.

Guides to Stars, Constellations and Planets

Astronomy is only really fun if you know what you’re looking for – and at. Sure, you can blag it and talk about the Big Dipper a certain amount of times, but becoming an expert will make the whole thing more enjoyable.

  • Constellation Guide is a self-explanatory website that provides insight into clusters of stars in the night sky. For further information, you could also check out this page, What are Constellations?
  • SkyMaps constantly updates their information on the night sky, and what may be visible at any point.
  • If you’re looking to brush up on what’s what in a hurry, check out One Minute astronomer.
  • In the Sky is an online planetarium that advises what you’ll be able to see on any given evening, from any particular location.
  • The BBC can always be relied upon for insights, and while the site is obviously UK-based the information is universal.

The Finest Views of the Stars in the World

If you’ve seen everything that there is to see from your own home or back yard, you may want to get your astronomy show on the road. There are a number of locations throughout the world that offer amazing views of the stars – or you could even just take a tour using Google Earth.

  • The Smithsonian Magazine provides a list of eight must-see stargazing locations, while National Geographic goes two better with ten.
  • If you’d rather stay in the USA to watch the stars, check out these ten destinations from Fodors.
  • Travel experts Rough Guides provide their own suggestions.
  • The Northern Lights are a famous site for astronomers, and Space.com has some insights into this phenomena.
  • If you prefer to use VR and stargaze from your computer, check out Stellarium.

Summary of Useful Links

Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information found within this guide? Don’t worry – we have collated all the links discussed into one handy summary below.