What is astronomy ?
Astronomy is the study of everything in the universe that’s beyond our own planet’s atmosphere. The planets in our own solar system, our own star the sun, and the bright stars can all be seen with the eye. However, astronomy can go much deeper, taking advantage of telescopes and other scientific instruments to study other stars and their planets in our galaxy, as well as distant galaxies beyond our own. It can gather clues about the nature of the physical, chemical and biological universe itself.
Astronomy as a hobby
Astronomy can be a fascinating and rewarding pastime, whether you have a substantial telescope and accessories such as a CCD camera, or are a beginner observing with the eye. It is one of the few sciences where amateurs make genuine contributions to research, but many observers simply do it for the excitement of seeing with their own eyes the planets, star clusters, nebulae and so on that are familiar from books. Observing directly by eye with an amateur telescope, it is not possible to see most astronomical objects with the amount of detail and color captured in the images recorded by large professional instruments. However, many experienced amateurs make beautiful drawings at the telescope, and some achieve spectacular results with photography and CCD imaging.
Getting to know the night sky
For anyone completely new to astronomy, the first step is to become familiar with the night sky, how it changes through the night and season by season, and how it varies according to the observer's latitude. An atmosphere (or "star wheel"), monthly sky guide, or computer software will help with this.
Buying a telescope
The next step may be to get some sort of optical aid. Keep in mind that good views of faint or diffuse astronomical objects will never be obtained from poor sites, such as urban locations. Furthermore, inexpensive telescopes sold by toy shops, natural-history stores, and other non-specialist outlets are often of poor optical quality and are very likely to give a disappointing performance.
A wide range of astronomical telescopes is available for purchase, but one which is large enough to be of much use, and which will give satisfying images, will cost several hundreds of pounds; it makes no sense to spend that amount of money until the observer knows enough to choose which type of observing is of interest. A good-quality pair of binoculars is a relatively economical alternative, and worthwhile experience can be gained with them. They are also useful for non-astronomical purposes! Sizes usually recommended are 8 x 40 or 10 x 50; while higher magnifications and bigger objective glasses may in principle reveal more detail, they increase the weight and bulk. Large binoculars can be difficult to use without a stand or tripod, because most people cannot hold them steady enough. High-power optically stabilized binoculars are available, but are expensive.
Good-quality terrestrial telescopes, such as those used by birdwatchers, generally offer good value, and can easily be pressed into use for casual astronomical observations; though not optimized for such purposes, they give excellent views of the Moon, and the rings of Saturn, Jupiter's major moons, and the phases of Venus can all be seen.
Thank you all
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