Top 10 Astronomy Tips For Beginners

In this video I share some of my top tips for the new astronomer

[edufau]

With your permission Mr. Jason, I would add a couple more tips.

1. Avoid placing your telescope near heat sources such as chimneys, walls or facades hit by sunlight during the day, running motors that can give off heat or, of course, heaters, etc. Also move away from open doors or windows through which there may be air circulation that interferes with the line of sight of the tube, or close them. In summary, place the telescope in the most isolated place possible on your terrace, garden or in the field of observation. If you have no choice but to observe from the balcony of your home, which is the case for many colleagues, close the balcony door and try to isolate yourself or at least isolate the aperture of the telescope, for example with a handmade extension of the shield anti-dew, from stray light coming from urban lighting, that will avoid many unwanted reflections and strange figures in your sight.

And 2. Prepare your observation in advance, consult astronomical charts, web pages or applications where the main objects visible on that night will be suggested, find out about them, something is always more pleasant to contemplate when you know about it. Select objects accessible to your viewing conditions and the aperture of your telescope, and as high above the horizon as possible, where observing conditions always improve, whatever the atmospheric or seeing conditions of the night, at least above 45º. If there is a Moon that night, it is better to forget about observing deep sky, at least until the moonset, since the moonglow dramatically decreases the contrast with the DSO, that is the time to dedicate for observing the Moon and the planets, but also double stars and open clusters...

In short, as we gains experience we become aware of many things that then we execute automatically, but I think that these two tips are important to consider for the most inexperienced colleagues.

[angryginger]

You can also flip the eye patch over to your "seeing" eye when not looking into the eyepiece. It'll help it get extra dark adapted, and protect your night vision in case you have to use a light or a car drives by or whatever. In the military, we used our night vision monocles on on our non-dominant eye so we'd always have good night vision in our shooting eye. I love the channel. You've been a great help getting me started in astronomy. Keep up the great work!

[kennethwilson]

Number one tip is get outside and practice this makes you a better observer.

[Doomclown]

As long as you have an eyepatch on, make sure you switch it to your viewing eye if you have to go inside to preserve dark-adaptation!

[Astrolavista]

Well done Jason. Tip 7 really is gold for the visual observer. My wife used to think I was mad for wearing an eye patch over my observing eye for a good while before going out so my pupil dilated as much as possible. I would then switch eyes at the eyepiece...dual purpose :)

[philipedwards]

Another very nice informative video. I like the eyepatch, and averted vision tips. And, yes, leaving the dust cap on and just remove the central (or offset) cap off to reduce the glare of the Moon. Many thanks jason.

[bushcraftandastronomer.]

Great tips and I'd put dew heater or dew straps on to stop lens getting fogged up. Collimate a reflector is good tip but I stick to refractors because they can be used straight away and hassle free. A tip I would suggest to people that they don't have a garden is to find somewhere local that's a safe place where your not going to be seen in case a nasty person sees you. I don't have much of a garden and I go to local area and I know area is quiet at night. Safety first. It's always good to hear some tips that you gave in this video. In 2013 I looked at the blinking nebula through a telescope and then looked at side of it and it blinked at me and I thought thats so cool this nebula knew I was looking at it and it blinked at me. Great tips and very enjoyable video to watch! Stay safe buddy!

[louboom]

This is information that everyone who is starting out in astronomy needs to hear. Great job in helping others get on the right track so as not to get frustrated and quit. Keep em looking up Jason!
Clear Skies

[StargateMax]

It's cute how you pronounce "telescope" like "telly-scope" :D

[toml.]

I know the value of having dark-adapted eyes, from my backpacking trips into the Rockies, to see the sunsets and sunrises. And I only set up my Dob inside the house after clearing the entire room- it's the same as opening an umbrella! Then you take it out as soon a you can to acclimate to the night air.

[epic_playz]

And june bugs here in the southeast are crazy and gotta worry about them getting in your tube if you own a reflector like me and there in the eastern U.S., but mainly in the southeastern U.S.

[ferdinandoesposito]

Thank you for explaining about the dust cap filters. I have the same telescope as the one you have on this video and that dust cap is a pain :)

[pkschack]

I just bought my first telescope, an Orion 90mm, with 910 mm focal length. Doing fine with low power. (25mm, but having difficulty getting an image with my 10mm eyepiece)

[RobBob]

your videos a very good.. far better than most . thanks :O)

[jimwebster]

AWESOME! You've answered so many questions I had in this video. I can't wait to get outside (when it's warmer) and use your tips and tricks. Thanks again!

[jenniferj]

A headlamp for hiking would work, they always have a red light mode and will leave you hands free.

[robmains]

Really great tips Jason, really liked 6 & 7 you make this hobby simple. Keep it up my friend. 🌜

[milansvetna]

Newcomer to your channel. You are great at what you do! Thank you for informing me

[ianmckenney]

Going to try the eyepatch if I can find one! I learned the both eyes open technique when using a microscope and sketching what I was viewing, but with the scope there are too many distracting light sources.

[mtippett]

always wondered what the small caps at the end of the dust cover were