1) Learn the brightest stars in the sky.
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/extra/brightest.html
This will help when it comes to finding constellations. Also, soon enough they'll end up feeling like friends.
Then they go away and you'll become sad
, then when they return, you'll be jumping with excitement like a kid.
Okay, maybe I just do that..
2) Learn the greek alphabet (in lower case).
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/lan.../answers.shtml
This will help you read maps better.
And possible make you look smarter to other people
3) Learn how to measure the sky in degrees using your hand.
http://oldthoughts.wordpress.com/200...ing-your-hand/
Don't let neighbours see you, those hand gestures could mean something else to them.
4) Get some computer software.
Both my dobs purchased thru Ozscopes and Sirius (Saxon) came with Starry Night software. This programme will help teach you the constellations as the move around the sky and make no sense
and will also give you a zillion targets to keep you happy with. You can also measure (by dragging the mouse on the object) the angular distance between a star and the object. Then proceed using hand measurements mentioned above when looking at the sky. Otherwise, download
Stellarium (but I find Starry Nights much better).
5) A Planisphere.
Most definitely as you can take it outside with you (unless you get a software programme on a lappy that you can take outside). If you choose the latter, be sure to use low powered battery mode so the screen isn't so bright or better still, cover it with red cellophane paper so it doesn't ruin your dark adaptation.
The planisphere will teach you the sky no matter what time of day or time as the stars rotate around. Remember when I said it can be confusing, well this will definitely help.
I got mine from
here from Australian Sky & Telescope for $14.95 and love it.
I've gone one step further with it and have cut out using post-it notes (the sticky strip), little arrows, which I can peel off and stick on zillion times over for the point of interest on the disc.
Comes in handy for marking places on maps in my books too!
I wonder if I can get rich selling sticky arrows
6) Refer to this website-
monthy.
Southern Sky Watch. Every month it tells you what goodies to look for in the sky for that month.
7) Absolutely get Australian Sky & Telescope magazine. This too will tell you what's in the sky for that month. It also has a monthly article for binocular viewing and gives a target every month, along with how to find it, as well as a monthly star chart.
8) Read up on observing tips.
Visit the Observational and Visual section of our forum. While you're there, look at the top of the page- there's a sub forum there called
"Observation Reports". Plenty to learn here - read, read, read. You'll get some great ideas from here as to what objects interest you that you want to chase down as well as how they appear through a telescope.
I have supplied further reading/links on observing tips towards the end of this post.
9) Go to your local star party.
Or join an astronomy club in your area.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/f...splay.php?f=16
10) How to determine seeing and transparency
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-196-0-0-1-0.html
Post #2 will be continued as I have gone past the word/post restrictions,
Imagine that!
I've finally excelled myself in word usage.
