Best books or resources for the burgeoning at-home stargazer
October 5, 2022 1:41 PM Subscribe
My partner is continuing to get really into backyard stargazing and I'd love to help support them. I'm very much not an expert, so would love books or other ideas that I could get them to support their journey. I'm not interested in telescope recommendations as they have that covered.
We're located in the bay area in case there are great trip ideas for less light-polluted areas.
Currently we've a spotting scope along side the main telescope, an iPhone app used to help locate stars and/or planets. I'd love to get them books or resources on the stars, the planets, or the moon that are targeted at someone enjoying this hobby. They've just bought a new telescope, so I'd love to help add resources on to that to help them get the most out of it!
This really started with a love of looking at the moon through the scope, so I know a book focused on the moon alone would also be appreciated.
We're located in the bay area in case there are great trip ideas for less light-polluted areas.
Currently we've a spotting scope along side the main telescope, an iPhone app used to help locate stars and/or planets. I'd love to get them books or resources on the stars, the planets, or the moon that are targeted at someone enjoying this hobby. They've just bought a new telescope, so I'd love to help add resources on to that to help them get the most out of it!
This really started with a love of looking at the moon through the scope, so I know a book focused on the moon alone would also be appreciated.
Definitely look up some upcoming stellar events and plan a couple potential weekend or overnight trips! You don't have to go far to get much lower light pollution. Might be worth looking at any local astro groups online, not necessarily to join but they will have schedules and events worth noting.
You might look into some of the more expensive/works-offline type apps. I don't know any personally but I imagine like any hobby there are the standard ones and then some nice ones that cost $20-40 but have loads of cool features. There might even be some astrophotography ones.
If you're going to be outside for these, get them a nice packable chair of the right height to use, and maybe some kind of packable blanket as well like a Rumpl.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 2:15 PM on October 5, 2022
You might look into some of the more expensive/works-offline type apps. I don't know any personally but I imagine like any hobby there are the standard ones and then some nice ones that cost $20-40 but have loads of cool features. There might even be some astrophotography ones.
If you're going to be outside for these, get them a nice packable chair of the right height to use, and maybe some kind of packable blanket as well like a Rumpl.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 2:15 PM on October 5, 2022
There's all kinds of flashlights and lanterns out there with a red mode for astronomy, but I really like this form factor because you can clip it to your shirt or pants pocket.
posted by Lyn Never at 3:23 PM on October 5, 2022
posted by Lyn Never at 3:23 PM on October 5, 2022
You need The Stars, A New Way to See Them, a 1952 book by H. L. Rey, the author of the Curious George children's books. We found it very helpful when our friend had a great homemade telescope but didn't know where in the sky to point it to see the cool things there.
posted by metonym at 4:12 PM on October 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by metonym at 4:12 PM on October 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
Here's an off-the wall suggestion - but as a burgeoning astrophotographer one of the coolest things I've come across is the planetarium app Stellarium.
Why is it an off-the-wall gift suggestion? Because it's free! (They do accept donations.)
Don't let the "free" part put you off - it's useful, feature-filled and lots of fun.
posted by dono at 7:54 PM on October 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
Why is it an off-the-wall gift suggestion? Because it's free! (They do accept donations.)
Don't let the "free" part put you off - it's useful, feature-filled and lots of fun.
posted by dono at 7:54 PM on October 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
There are books on urban astronomy and backyard astronomy.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:29 AM on October 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by SemiSalt at 5:29 AM on October 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
My local astronomy club has put together some fabulous resources, especially over the last couple of years. I'd highly recommend their (free) Introduction to Amateur Astronomy series on youtube. While the later sessions in the series get into telescopes, the first couple of episodes are one the basics of stargazing. Even aside from that series, the KAS channel has great lectures that you might find really inspiring. Turn Left at Orion might be another good book for your needs.
posted by hessie at 5:38 AM on October 6, 2022
posted by hessie at 5:38 AM on October 6, 2022
I recommend the book 365 Starry Nights for people new to astronomy, in addition to other books mentioned above.
The website In The Sky has upcoming astronomical events of note on its main page like phases of the moon, meteor showers, planetary conjunctions, and when other astro objects are well placed for viewing. I also like its customizable planetarium for seeing what's viewable from my location at any time. You can also look for things during the day like sunspots (with a good solar filter and appropriate safety precautions!) and the moon when it's up. The Space Weather website is fun for that kind of stuff, and there are some big sunspots up there right now.
Enjoy!
posted by indexy at 7:38 AM on October 6, 2022
The website In The Sky has upcoming astronomical events of note on its main page like phases of the moon, meteor showers, planetary conjunctions, and when other astro objects are well placed for viewing. I also like its customizable planetarium for seeing what's viewable from my location at any time. You can also look for things during the day like sunspots (with a good solar filter and appropriate safety precautions!) and the moon when it's up. The Space Weather website is fun for that kind of stuff, and there are some big sunspots up there right now.
Enjoy!
posted by indexy at 7:38 AM on October 6, 2022
All those, and one more: my favorite app is Sky Guide, which has a really nice feature where you hold the phone up to the sky and it shows you what you’re looking at. It will also alert you to satellite passes, and has a “what’s best tonight” page, broken down into naked-eye, binocular, and small telescope items. Worth its weight in gold!
posted by fuzzy.little.sock at 11:36 AM on October 6, 2022
posted by fuzzy.little.sock at 11:36 AM on October 6, 2022
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posted by niicholas at 1:59 PM on October 5, 2022