Looking into the New Year it is clear that 2015 is going to be filled with an abundance of beautiful astronomical scenes. So, why wait to get into astronomy? Many people don’t consider taking to astronomy as a hobby because there’s often a large price tag attached to it. However, if you’re really interested in getting a start on this fascinating science there’s a few tricks you can use to avoid the high cost without having to miss out on all the fascinating happenings. With these ten tips you may find yourself searching the night sky in no time all. With all of the beautiful events speculated for the coming year, you’ll be so impressed with your new hobby that you may even consider getting rid of cable!
1. Start Basic
Often, when someone decides to get into a hobby they tend to go all out believing it will be more beneficial in the long run. Astronomy offers a wide selection of books, guides, programs and telescopes that can get you started off, but the price tag is a bit high. Rather than buying the most expensive items as soon as possible you should start on the more basic spectrum. You can usually get a basic telescope at a great price at any online or local retail store. You may also be able to find one at a second hand store. The basic telescope will allow you to ease into the hobby, thus giving you time to decide if you would even spend large portions of time on it if given the chance. It will also give you a chance to get used to the basic features of a telescope. Sometimes when you buy the most expensive model around you may find it confusing which often puts people off of the hobby entirely. You may also want to try the hobby with binoculars. This won’t give you as much seeing power, but it’s a great start especially if you don’t have a lot of space.
2. Shop Used
There’s no law saying you have to go out and buy a brand new telescope just because you’ve decided to take an interest in astronomy. Rather, you may find your best deal at a used store or auction. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or if you’ve been into the hobby for quite some time, typically you can find a used telescope at a great price. Although your options may be a tad limited locally, a few quick searches on the internet might lead you to a price that will leave you doing the happy dance. Before you buy a used telescope make sure you’ve looked it over or the seller has had it appraised. Appraisal could be key if you’re buying the item online as it will ensure you’re going to get what you’ve been asked to pay for. Sometimes a telescope may not have all of the accessories it originally came from, but some items you may want to have brand new, or you can find them for very cheap online.
3. Use an App
Living in the modern world is pretty awesome, especially when you want to try something new without spending a small fortune. There’s a lot of apps available for anyone looking to get into astronomy and quite a few of them are free to a very low cost! In fact, if you’re just starting out and want to know more about planets, constellations and other items you see then all you have to do is move your phone or tablet over the night sky and the universe will open up for you. This is perfect for those just starting to identify constellations! Of course, if you live in a city which makes its pretty hard to see stars then you may actually be able to use the app to see what normally would be there. This is great for those special events that many city dwellers are forced to miss out on due to the city’s ample lights!
4. Visit the Library
When it comes to unlocking information, your library is a great place to start. Sure, we all have internet access that can pretty much find whatever we want, but a librarian can actually become your tour guide to the wonderful world of space. Most librarians will be able to direct you to the best books on the subject and may even be able to provide you with a detailed list of things to research based on the topic of your interest. Better yet, some libraries will actually host star gazing days. You may end up watching the stars move on a ceiling, but the experience is both educational and rewarding. If you live in an area that has great star visibility then your local library might actually host star gazing events for the community, so make sure to ask around to see if your library is one of these. If not, you’ll still have free access to the numerous books as well as scholarly databases that your library can provide for you!
5. Planetarium
If stargazing is your favorite way to spend your spare time then a planetarium may be the perfect hang out for you! Not all communities have a planetarium so you may want to look and see if there is one nearby you. Typically, you’ll find these connected to schools or colleges, but occasionally there are standalone planetariums that cater to the public. When you’ve found what you’re looking for check out the pricing. Some will actually offer free entrance, especially if they are school or government funded, whilst others will charge a fee. You may be in luck if they have a free night though, but if not try to look for discounts wherever possible. At the planetarium you will be able to get basic information on outer space which will satisfy your star gazing needs. Many can even give you a closer look at stars that are closer to our own solar system. On special nights you may also be able to view the night sky in the planetarium, so make sure you buy tickets in advance whenever you want to catch a meteor shower up close!
6. Build a Telescope
If you want to create a fun science experiment for the family then make it your mission to build a telescope. Now, this may sound overly complicated so don’t stress out just yet. There’s different levels of telescopes you can build at home. One simple one that’s designed for kids can actually be made out of recyclables like a toilet paper roll. Of course, if you’re feeling adventurous you can step it up several notches, but work within your comfort zone. When it comes to building a telescope make sure you look for your materials at used stores and scrap or junk yards. This should help you find most of what you need without causing you to spend a fortune. You may also want to only choose DIY telescopes that you can build with your own tools or hands as paying for someone’s help may cost as much as actually buying a pricier telescope. Try to do some browsing online to see if anything strikes your fancy. You should be able to find video and written instructions that will guide you through each process.
7. Shop Wisely
Picking up a new hobby can be intimidating which leads many people to purchase items they don’t need. Before you go out and buy something, like a telescope, do some research on the item. You’ll find a lot of different brands out there and each will have their own feature. If you’re just interested in checking out the stars then you might end up paying too much for a telescope that’s never going to be used to its full potential. Likewise, if you end up buying a telescope that doesn’t meet your needs then you’re going to end up losing money when you have to sell it and buy something more suitable. You should also look at reviews before you settle on one such item. These usually help guide people in the right direction, especially if you can find a review that seems to fit your shopping situation. You should research other items too though, such as books and programs to help along the way! With the right shopping skills you’ll come out financially on top.
8. Free Classes
We live in a world filled with knowledge so utilize it as much as you can. Sometimes local colleges or planetariums will host free class night to anyone interested in learning more about the world outside of our world. Although these classes may be rare, finding a class online isn’t. Many colleges now release recorded lessons for students and the public, which can come in handy when you’re looking to learn. From apps to actual college websites, you should be able to find a class, or even full semesters worth of work, when you browse astronomy courses online. With these handy tools by your side you’ll know how to navigate the night sky in no time at all!
9. Follow Science News
If you’re simply wanting to catch the most action, rather than spend hours looking at stars then science news is the way to go. You can get basic science news on most news sites, but if you’re looking for astronomy related items then you may need to look on specialized pages. There’s an abundance of science websites on the net as well as those on astronomy, so help yourself to the news by visiting them daily or signing up for their newsletter. One of the best websites to sign up for is NASA as you’ll get the top news as well as suggestions to help improve the amount of fun you have with the hobby. With your subscriptions ready to go you’ll be alerted whenever something big is happening. Of course, if you have social media then simply follow or like a page that provides you with astronomy news!
10. Naked Eye
One of the cheapest and easiest ways to enjoy astronomy is through the naked eye. You don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy star gazing, nor do you need anything special to see some meteor showers, shooting stars and planets. If you live in the city then it may seem impossible to enjoy star gazing, so do yourself a favor and take a trip out of town. You may want to plan a camping trip or simply go for a long drive until there’s no people around. With the lack of lighting available you’ll be able to see some of the best scenes that the universe has to offer. Trips like this are also a great way to bond with the whole family, so it might be a good idea just to get away from it all and enjoy something spectacular together. If you’re not sure where to find the best spots to star gaze then look on the internet, or simply hop in the car and drive until you find just what you’re looking for.
Outer space is still a big mystery to us, but looking up at the night sky can be one of the most beautiful things we experience. When it comes to astronomy you shouldn’t have to shudder away because of the price tag attached to it. In fact, with these ten tips you should be on top of the latest happenings while getting to see all of the beautiful things headed our way in 2015!
