Some Great Star Gazing Tips

Cost can be a prohibitive factor in many interests but not star gazing, because in the beginning it doesn’t have to cost you a cent – so if you are interested, read on. Now that the thought of a free hobby has peaked your interest further, just what do you need to start it? Luckily there is nothing much but it could really help if you got yourself a Star Chart, available in books or any thing which talks about the Zodiac.

Initially you will need to obtain a star chart from a book or try the internet although some people just use a book that contains images of the astrological zodiac. Try to find a simple one to begin with as some can be very complex and may contain too much information when you are just starting. These are readily available from planetarium or any observatory and you need to get hold of the cheapest one if possible, as the only need you have of it is to locate the brightest star and the rest can be done by yourself.

If you intend to spend any money on a telescope, do not buy a cheap one – it really will be waste of money and won’t help you enjoy your new interest at all. Even if you buy one, the revolving earth would make the star disappear in such a split second that you would continue your search from the beginning all over again. This will frustrate you and before the night is over the telescope will be back in its box.

My second tip is a far cheaper option but one that will bring many nights of star gazing and all you need to do here is lend, borrow or buy a normal 10×50 set of binoculars. This could your viewing the complete constellation including star groups, the moon and other planets as well a reality. Luck is also on your side as almost every school, but certainly each town has a library and this is your best resource for free literature on the stars, star gazing, the Universe and the Solar System.

Look for books that contain star charts, preferably pull-out versions and don’t worry if the book is quite old because the stars won’t have changed. Before you go into too much depth, locate the Southern Cross or Scorpio in the book and then see if you can find it in the night sky. As it’s name suggests, the Southern Cross is situated in the south while Orion can be found moving from East to West as the night progresses. Remember that it may not always be noticeable because it may appear early or later in the morning.

Do you need to read a lot I hear you ask? Not really, but the moment you start to explore the stars, you will want to know more about them, where they come from and probably where they are going. Strangely, some of the best books to study with in the beginning are those written especially for children as they do not overcomplicate the subject. So in reality all you need to start start gazing is a star chart in the early days which should present you with enough to peak your interest. Do not buy a decent telescope until you are sure about your interest but once you do it will open up a whole new world for you.