Stargazing - getting started in astronomy

In this video we present a round up of the essentials needed to get the most out of stargazing, from naked eye observing to binocular astronomy and your first telescope.

So all you need now is a clear night!

Presented by Robert J Dalby

Produced by A.R.B Media Productions for The Astronomy and Nature Centre

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Stargazing
• getting
• started
• Astronomy
• Stars
• Planets
• Observatory
• Observatories
• Sun
• Moon
• Mercury
• Venus
• Earth
• Mars
• Jupiter
• Saturn
• Uranus
• Neptune
• Pluto
• Galaxy
• Solar
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• Nebula
• Telescope
• Constellations
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• Mount
• EQ
• Astrophotography
• Night
• Sky
• Lunar
• Space
• Astroboot
• Astrofest
• Sky-Watcher
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• Robert
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• Buying
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[Adam1996hru]

What would you recommend as a beginners target in the sky to look at? I've seen Jupiter, but am looking for some deep sky objects to observe and was wondering if you could suggest some that are suitable for beginners? Thanks

[AstronomyAndNatureTV]

@Adam1996hru There's plenty to choose from in the winter sky. Be sure to check out the wealth of DSOs in the environs of Orion. M42 is a stunning target and there's a veritable zoo of targets that will show well in telescopes of all sizes. Clear skies A&NC

[ferrett78]

Just thought I'd let you know that at least some apps for smart-phones or ipad will actually have a night vision setting, which changes the display to shades of red.

[AstronomyAndNatureTV]

@ferrett78 Thanks for your message. Sure enough some of the NV modes work well (Go SkyWatch & Starmap) but others are not so good and nearly all that have a night mode are too bright (at least for the best deep sky observing). But the driller-killer comes when the phone rings and lights up like Blackepool sea front! And then it's another 30 minutes before your dark adapted vision is restored! Clear skies A&NC

[bicnarok]

Excellent info, just wondering what´s best Reflector or Refractor telescopes? And come on tell us how you did the background effects:)

[AstronomyAndNatureTV]

@bicnarok Thanks for your message. That's a big question and would require too many factors to be considered here, and the question only really admits of a simple answer in the realm of low-cost starter scopes (and even then it's a matter of debate) where we normally recommend mirror based telescopes over refractors. Reflectors offer bigger aperture per UKP/USD, and thus better light grasp, and better colour fidelity. Hope this helps. A&NC

[AstronomyAndNatureTV]

@bicnarok Sorry I forgot the second part of your question on the background effects! The answer of course is it's magic! It's actually a technique called 'green screen'. Basically Rob is standing in front of a green screen and when the recorded material is edited they can switch the green to any other imagery. The only snag is the 'actor' can't actually see anything but the green screen behind him. KR A&NC

[OrenBoder]

I love these videos.

Thank you for making them.

The ending was hilarious! :D

[TheBigProc]

Brilliant video really helpful and even hints if humour, well done!

[Valliant2007]

great chan,, ive recently purchased the starwalk app as ive always been interested in the night sky, really wanting to get a telescope now, keep up the great work!!

[i8umd9bOM]

Nice vid

[bicnarok]

@AstronomyAndNatureTV Thanks for the info, I have a small reflector and it seems like a lot more work having to culminate & clean the mirror as apposed to the refractor I used to have. Your videos are excellent and very informative.