Getting started in astronomy and choosing the right equipment
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Being passionate about the sky and the stars is a prerequisite for embarking on an in-depth study of celestial bodies. You have to go step by step, don’t rush into online purchases and do things gradually. As a beginner astronomer, there are a number of things you need to do to fully understand this science. To make your debut in astronomy, here are some tips to put into practice.
Do not purchase equipment in the beginning
When you want to buy astronomy equipment, you shouldn’t go too fast. It may be advisable to start by enrolling in a astronomy club or school. In an astronomy club, the basics of astronomy can be learned. The professor will be able to guide all beginner astronomers so that they can make a good start and not start on a false note. In order not to waste your money unnecessarily, you should also read. On the Internet, there are many reviews and articles to guide beginner astronomers to take them to another stage of astronomy. To have a good foundation, you must also read a lot of books on astronomy, books that describe this science of celestial bodies well. For example, there is for example the little guide to the sky which is recommended when you start the astronomy.
Astronomy is four areas
As a beginner, you should know that astronomy is divided into two main categories: visual and photo. Each category has two domains. Thus, in the visual category we have planetary observation and deep sky observation. So much for the photo category, we have planetary photography and deep sky photography. It is more advisable for a beginner who has little financial means to start with planetary observation, because it is an area accessible to small learning instruments. In this area, light pollution is not to be feared. While in the observation of the deep sky, it is necessary to fear the light pollution which is absent. It is also necessary to use expensive equipment, such as Newton telescopes of the Dobston type.
Knowing what you are looking for when embarking on astronomy
Before taking the initiative to embark on the study of celestial bodies, there was indeed a trigger for this desire. It is therefore a question of clearly defining the project born of this passion. Don’t just jump in for no reason. Instead, set goals. You have to take your desires into account, because very often, you may be interested only in planetary observation or even in photography of the deep sky, astronomy replete with several areas. By registering for example in an astronomy club, it is therefore possible to know that to embark on this exciting activity, you must have an observation site. An astronomer is quite naturally an observer. And depending on the choice of site, you can observe the deep sky. For example, the choice of a polluted site will offer the observer the only possibility of planetary observation. The choice of site will also have an impact on the cost of the equipment to be purchased. You also have to take into account your budget, because doing astronomy can often require significant sums of money. It all depends on the area chosen. For example, photography requires a lot more budget than observation. Personal experience is important because as a beginner there are many things you may miss. Therefore, one must seek advice in choosing the material to buy.
The choice of material
For good observation, it is advisable to use, for example, binoculars. These can help a beginner. For photography, we use the telescope with a long focal length, a mount and a digital sensor. To discover all the cosmology, it is advisable to buy this telescope. It allows any beginner to approach astronomy at a low price, with the possibility of transporting the telescope and its tripod wherever desired. One can also use a CDD camera of lesser quality, connected to a computer. Similarly, it is possible to use an independent autoguider, linked between the bezel and the frame. There is a wide selection of materials online. You just have to determine the area to explore and define your budget.
