Astronomy for beginners | Astronomy.com https://www.astronomy.com/astronomy-for-beginners/ Astronomy news, photos, observing events, and space missions. Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:16:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.4 https://www.astronomy.com/uploads/2024/10/cropped-favicon-32x32.jpg Astronomy for beginners | Astronomy.com https://www.astronomy.com/astronomy-for-beginners/ 32 32 Learn the difference between common astronomical terms https://www.astronomy.com/astronomy-for-beginners/learn-the-difference-between-common-astronomical-terms/ Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=154741// Astronomy is a science and a hobby that loves long words, acronyms, and abbreviations. At times, listening to someone talking about an event happening in the sky or an object faraway in space can feel like watching one of those episodes of Star Trek where the characters spend 10 minutes just speaking in “technobabble,” soContinue reading "Learn the difference between common astronomical terms"

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]]> Beginner’s guide: How to photograph comets https://www.astronomy.com/science/beginners-guide-how-to-photograph-comets/ Tue, 15 Oct 2024 20:17:53 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/beginners-guide-how-to-photograph-comets/ These fleeting beacons from the outer solar system make for fantastic shots.

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]]> What are NGC objects, and where did this catalog come from? https://www.astronomy.com/astronomy-for-beginners/what-are-ngc-objects/ Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=151754// The designation M stands for Messier objects. I understand the history behind how these were identified and cataloged. But what are NGC objects? Where did NGC come from and how is it applied? Dean TreadwayJesup, Georgia Anyone who has developed an interest in stargazing has certainly heard of the Messier and NGC catalogs. These publicationsContinue reading "What are NGC objects, and where did this catalog come from?"

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]]> What it means for planets to align https://www.astronomy.com/science/what-it-means-when-planets-align/ Tue, 28 May 2024 13:11:59 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=134029// When we look up at the night sky, the dance of the planets is a constant, mesmerizing ballet. And occasionally, this dance creates patterns that spark both wonder and curiosity, as is the case when the planets align. For centuries, the sight of multiple planets appearing close together in the night sky has fueled myths,Continue reading "What it means for planets to align"

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]]> Celestron NexStar Evolution 8HD telescope, reviewed https://www.astronomy.com/observing/celestron-nexstar-evolution-8hd-telescope-reviewed/ Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:56:05 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=144674// This review of the Celestron NexStar Evolution 8HD was first published in the February 2021 issue of Astronomy Magazine. It has been updated and contains affiliate links to the current model of this telescope. When you buy a product through a button on this page, we may earn a commission. When I was a teenager,Continue reading "Celestron NexStar Evolution 8HD telescope, reviewed"

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]]> How should we classify the cosmos? https://www.astronomy.com/science/how-should-we-classify-the-cosmos/ Tue, 19 Mar 2024 17:59:45 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=142569// So much is happening in astronomy these days that it’s hard to keep track of the cosmic zoo, much less how each object fits into the overall celestial landscape. Scientists typically organize  their respective domains through classification systems, such as biology’s five kingdoms and three domains, chemistry’s periodic table, and physics’ standard model. Finding orderContinue reading "How should we classify the cosmos?"

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]]> Best telescopes for beginners at High Point Scientific https://www.astronomy.com/astronomy-for-beginners/best-telescopes-for-beginners-at-high-point-scientific/ Fri, 08 Mar 2024 16:22:02 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=141930// This is a guide to help you learn about some of the best telescopes for beginners, all of which are available at highpointscientific.com. Choosing the perfect telescope is the first step in a hobby that can last a lifetime. The right telescope can unveil the craters of the Moon, the cloud bands of Jupiter, theContinue reading "Best telescopes for beginners at High Point Scientific"

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]]> The best telescopes under $1,000 https://www.astronomy.com/astronomy-for-beginners/the-best-telescopes-under-1000-picked-by-experts/ Mon, 12 Feb 2024 19:05:53 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=137594// Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy a product through the links in this article, we may earn a commission. In this guide, we explore whether it’s possible to have a remarkable stargazing experience for under $1,000. (Short answer: Absolutely!) We’ve scoured the market and evaluated numerous models to bring you this listContinue reading "The best telescopes under $1,000"

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]]> The best telescopes for kids, picked by experts https://www.astronomy.com/astronomy-for-beginners/the-best-telescopes-for-kids-picked-by-experts/ Mon, 12 Feb 2024 19:05:12 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=137196// Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy a product through the links in this article, we may earn a commission. Selecting the best telescopes for kids can be as important as the observations themselves. Gazing up at the stars can spark a love for astronomy in kids that lasts a lifetime. But theContinue reading "The best telescopes for kids, picked by experts"

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]]> Telescopes 101: 15 essential things to know https://www.astronomy.com/observing/telescopes-101-15-essential-things-to-know/ Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:46:27 +0000 https://www.astronomy.com/?p=140749// Buying a telescope is a big step, especially if you’re not sure what all those terms — f/ratio, magnification, go-to — mean. So, to eliminate confusion and make sure you understand what you’re buying, here’s what to check out before you write the check out. 1. I know telescopes make things appear bigger, but whatContinue reading "Telescopes 101: 15 essential things to know"

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