4 Astronomy Basics You Need for Your Outdoor Astronomy Hobby: A Beginner’s Guide

Basic Astronomy Gear Recommendations for the Amateur Astronomer

Stars over Joshua Tree National Park, CA - Photo Credit: Scott Carnahan

Astronomy, as a hobby, is deeply rooted in the outdoors and beyond. Connecting to the world and the celestial bodies we exist with is therapeutic and invigorating. And it's great for backpackers because all you need are your eyes and a clear night to study the stars.

That said, in order to really make the most of your stargazing experience, there's some basic astronomy gear that you should consider. Four to be exact: A magnifier, a guide, a logbook, and a comfortable place to watch the stars move across the sky.

Sequoia National Forest, CA - Photo Credit: Scott Carnahan

The Magnifier: Choosing the Right Telescope

As I said, casual stargazing can make do with the naked eye or perhaps binoculars. But to truly unlock the beauty of deep space you need a telescope.

For beginners, start with a manual astronomy telescope, as this will teach you the essential tech foundations. Thankfully, many beginner-friendly models compromise by offering manual models with smartphone support. Case in point, the StarSense Explorer requires the user to guide the telescope itself, while the companion app shows celestial objects currently visible, and charts a path for the user chooses to view them.

Plus, since it’s relatively lightweight at around 18 pounds, this telescope is portable for astronomy hobbyists who want to venture to more remote locations. That said, before making any telescope purchase, it’s also best to try it out in-person. This way, you can gauge if it works well for your own individual preferences and needs.

Stars over the Chihuahuan Desert: Lobo, TX - Photo Credit: Bryan Donoghue

Stargazing Guides

Although you can easily stargaze from the comfort of your own backyard, there are certain times and places that can seriously enhance the experience. To pinpoint these, you need resources specially created to determine dates, times, and coordinates where the skies are darkest, where there is ideal visibility, and exactly when certain events are bound to occur.

Fortunately, many of these resources are freely available today via the app store. Yep, you can download star charts and best times to view right to your phone. For example, Google Sky shows users the exact placement of planets at any given time. Meanwhile, apps like NightSky can help you identify stars, planets, constellations, and more. Some apps (like the ones that accompany the aforementioned StarSense telescope) can even be used as guides for telescopes, directing you where to point it to view celestial events and phenomena. It's a great tool you can use to educate yourself about astronomy and ensure that each stargazing trip will reveal something new and exciting.

Moraine Campground: Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - Photo Credit: Scott Carnahan

Astronomy Logbook

Astronomy is the study of astrological phenomena. It's a science, and that makes you a scientist. Which, in turn, means you get to learn how to take really good notes of your observations.

A logbook is one of the key items you’ll need to hone your hobby. More than just a notebook of ramblings, a logbook represents a systematic way of recording observations. This will allow you to note interesting patterns and phenomena that may otherwise go unnoticed – which can help make stargazing far more exciting and rewarding in the long run. As a rule of thumb, astronomy logbooks are typically notebooks with good quality paper and a hardback. This will help ensure your ink won’t smudge, and it will be less likely to rip or stain after repeated use.

Since logging your observations can be fairly intimidating at first, you can also use free downloadable observation forms to help you get started. Using these will make it easy to learn what to take note of, and what to start jotting down later once you start your own logbook. Over time, you may even find you have a personal approach that can help you find the planets or galaxies of your choosing.

Stargazing at Night over Loon Lake, CA - Photo Credit: Bryan Donoghue

A Comfortable Tent

Stargazing can often feel like a waiting game, and the best views often require quite a bit of travel. Light pollution from nearby cities or towns make it harder to see the night sky properly, which is why experienced astronomers recommend visiting optimal stargazing spots that are far from civilization. As such, these places will likely be in undeveloped areas that may not be the most accommodating for the long stretches of time you’ll want to allocate for the task.

So pack in a comfortable chair and tent for when it's time to hit the hay. Just keep in mind that while it’s useful to bring a solid rainfly for protection should it suddenly rain or snow, it’s better to remove this so you can view stars through the mesh top.

Conclusion

Really, that's all the basic astronomy gear you need when you're just getting started. Stargazing gives the wanderer, explorer, and all-around nature lover an enlightening and restful activity for after hours in the back country. It's both scientific and creative. Something you can enjoy whether you’re out solo or with your friends or loved ones.

Go ahead, explore some extraterrestrial trails through the stars on your next trip into the backcountry.

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Guest Blogger Abigail Caster is a freelance writer who has been published in numerous local and international publications. A passionate writer, Abigail is currently working on her personal blog while caring for her three rescue dogs.