Most people, to be fair, would probably be hard pressed to find the north star, even though it's always in practically the same place in the sky. If that's true of you, but you want to learn the stars, and know Antares from Uranus, read on. Read more
Not all amateur astronomers have binoculars or a telescope. Some folks might be interested in watching by the naked eye, some might not have money enough to purchase a telescope, some might be looking for the right instruments for him/herself. Whatever the reason is, the fact is that not everybody owns a telescope or binoculars. What if they try to observe from a crowded city, say New York or Tokyo? They probably suffer from artificial lights, right? Could they have any changes to observe better without changing their location? Oh yes, they could use the good old black tube! Read more
Galileo first turned his telescope to the skies 400 years ago. But even those without fancy equipment can watch the stars - here are five notable formations to look for. Wherever you are in the world, there will always be stars in the night sky above. And spotting these heavenly bodies - be it a solitary star amid the light pollution or great drifts dotted across the inky darkness - can give a certain thrill. Read more
Tips for Those Wearing Glasses Some of you that wear glasses may notice that it makes astronomical observing more difficult, sometimes even aggravating. These tips from Michael Gilmer, a fellow member of the Cloudy Nights forum, will make your observing sessions work out much better and more enjoyable.
Astronomy without a binocular or telescope One of the most enjoyable parts of astronomy is finding and naming constellations and stars I see in the sky, above. Indeed, my favourite duty as a former tour guide at a small, local astronomy observatory, was taking our visitors on a tour of the night sky before showing them a telescope or binocular.