Humans have been observing the sky since the dawn of time. It is natural that the desire to learn more about space has continued to grow.
Hobby astronomers spend time learning about space, looking into space and capturing photographs of distant objects. Amatuer astronomers may spend time stargazing with no equipment or have a dedicated backyard observatory. Astronomy as a hobby can take many paths and may change over your lifetime.
Amateur astronomers are interested in observing the night sky with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. They may not have any scientific goals, but may make contributions to the field by careful observation.
Getting started in astronomy requires nothing more than looking up.
How do I start learning astronomy?
Many people become interested in astronomy when they learn about space. They may listen to a Neil DeGrasse Tyson documentary, see a comet or watch the latest space mission.
There are plenty of ways to explore space further without purchasing any equipment.
Without Equipment
Without any equipment you can start to explore astronomy by learning the constellations. An app like Sky Safari or Sky Map allows you to use your phone to identify objects as you are observing them.
Point your phone at the sky and the app will label the objects you are seeing.
If you choose to purchase equipment you will use the constellations to locate many objects in the night sky, a good knowledge of the constellations will be very useful.
It’s also possible to take some beautiful photographs without anything but your phone. Shots of the Milky Way, Orion or star trails from an unmagnified smart phone in a dark area can be really beautiful. Explore the world of smartphone astrophotography in facebook groups dedicated to the subject.
If you want to start learning more about astronomy, start by listening to and reading about current events in astronomy.
Podcasts:
365 Days of Astronomy Podcast
Star Talk
NASACast Audio
Houston, We Have a Podcast
Books:
Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
NightWatch by Terrance Dickenson
With Equipment
After spending time getting to know the night sky you may be anxious to get a telescope. I recommend that you visit a local astronomy club to get an idea of the differences between the types of telescopes available.
You can find these clubs by contacting the nearest science museum. You could also search for “star party near me” to see if there are any observing events taking place close by.
Shopping for a telescope can be very overwhelming and there are not many stores you can visit to check them out.
Depending on your budget you may choose to purchase:
| Binoculars | Small Refractor | Small Reflector |
| Least Expensive | Mid Range Cost | Most Expensive |
| Very Portable | Light and Portable | Less Portable |
| Most Intuitive to Use | Less Intuitive to Aim and Move | Very Intuitive to Aim and Move |
| Least Magnification | Good Magnification | Good Magnification |
| Least Aperture | Less Aperture for Dollar | Highest Aperture |
| Available In Stores | Can Be Used for Astrophotography | Most Are High Quality |
| Many Are Low Quality |
There are a lot of opinions when it comes to astronomy equipment, but I think everyone should have a Dobsonian Reflector. My first telescope was a 10” Dobsonian reflector and it was a great introduction to astronomy, but 6-8 inches will also give you beautiful views.
Aperture is what determines the brightness of objects that you are observing. The more aperture the more you will be able to see.
Prioritize aperture for your first telescope to give you the best chance to fall in love the with the hobby.
Read reviews and choose the best equipment that you can afford. I recommend buying used when possible because you will not only get a great deal, you will meet another astronomer. Read our handy guide to buying used telescopes before you lay down the cash.
No matter what gear you choose to start with, you will want to grab one or all of these books to help you find and identify objects in the night sky.
Books:
Turn Left At Orion by Guy Consolmagno
The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide by Terence Dickenson and Alan Dyer
Fifty Things to See with a Small Telescope by John A. Read
(affiliate links)
I own Turn Left at Orion and I find myself reading it often even two years into the hobby, it is just so helpful and interesting. Great investment.
What do I need to start astronomy as a hobby?
Ease into astronomy one step at a time, this allows you to get to know the hobby before you invest too much money. I have done all these things and I do not regret a single one of these choices.
Smart Phone
You can start exploring astronomy with just your phone. An app like Star Map or Sky Safari can be used to start identifying things in the night sky.
You can also use your phone’s camera to do some astrophotography of larger targets like the Milky Way, Orion and some star trails.
Binoculars
Move on to observing with binoculars. This is a great way to start because you will start to become aware of the weather conditions that are suitable for astronomy as well as any weather gear you may want as an observer.
As you find places and times to observe you will have a better idea of your telescope needs.
Telescope
Be very careful when you purchase a telescope. It is very important to avoid “Hobby Killers.” There are a lot of things that can be hobby killers, but a low quality or difficult to use telescope can be a big hobby killer.
Hobby killers are telescopes that are difficult or impossible to use.
What do I need to buy with my first telescope?
When you are ready to purchase your first telescope, be sure that you have everything you will need to start using it right away.
This is a short list of accessories that you will need to begin using your telescope.
Collimation Tool
Collimation is the act of lining up the primary and secondary mirrors in reflector telescopes. If you choose to buy a reflector, be sure to read our guide to collimation and select the tool you feel most comfortable using.
There are many options available at every price point.
Finderscope or Telrad
Most telescopes come with a finderscope installed on the side of your optical tube. A finderscope is used to locate objects in the sky before you find them in your telescope.
A 9×50 Rasi is the most common type of finderscope. When you are staring out and learning the sky from a book like Turn Left At Orion, they describe things based on how they will look in a 9×50 finderscope.
Tetrads are zero magnification devices that help you locate things with your telescope. I recommend that everyone get a telrad, I think these are so easy to use and makes it much easier to explore the night sky as a new astronomer.
It is difficult to find things with your telescope because of the high magnification. Using a finderscope or telrad, which has a much wider field of view, allows you to point your telescope to the correct place in the sky.
You will align your finder or Telrad with your telescope, I recommend doing this during the daytime, and then you will use it to locate things.
GoTo scopes use computers to locate things in the sky and the use of a telrad or finderscope is not necessary when using goto.
Observing Chair
You will want a way to sit down during observing sessions. There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing an observing chair.
Consider the height of your telescope when you are pointing it directly at the Zenith and close to the horizon, the eyepiece height changes quite a bit.
You will want to use an observing chair that is adjustable in height.
I chose to purchase a specially designed observing chair and it has made observing very comfortable.
You can also use kitchen stools, folding step stool, drummer’s throne, folding chair or books to stack.
Eyepieces
You will likely want to buy one high quality 9-15mm eyepiece for high power (high magnification) observing.
Your telescope probably came with a few eyepieces and the low power eyepiece is likely going to be good enough to use, but the high power one probably does not have enough eye relief, exit pupil and a narrow field of view.
If you wear glasses you may need to play around with eyepieces that work best for you.
Eyepieces are available separate from telescopes and if you buy one and find that it does not work for you, you can always resell it.
You may also choose to add a Barlow to your eyepiece collection. They have a lot of functions and they can make your eyepieces do double duty.
Moon Filter
Many new astronomers will begin by observing the moon, it is a great target and very beautiful to observe with your telescope.
The moon is very bright, you can buy a very inexpensive filter that will block some of the light, increase contrast and make it more comfortable to observe such a bright object.
Check to see if your eyepiece adapter is threaded, if it is, then you can use a 2” filter instead of the 1.25”. This can be a bit confusing, but just make sure your filter matches the size of the eyepiece or eyepiece adapter.
I have a neutral density filter and I find that I use it often.
Cooling Fan
When you bring your telescope out into the open air, the difference in temperature from the scope to the air may cause condensation to form on the glass and metal of the telescope.
We call this condensation dew.
Dew makes it difficult or impossible to see through your telescope.
Reflector telescopes use a cooling fan to combat dew. A cooling fan is a small fan mounted behind your primary mirror to help air circulate around it. This will keep dew from forming on your primary mirror.
Your telescope is likely to come with a cooling fan mounted behind the primary mirror, but if it does not you can use a small portable fan to help the air move around your scope.
This will allow the telescope to acclimate to ambient temperature.
Be sure your fan is not positioned in a way to blow dirt and dust onto your telescope.
Bug Spray
Grab a high quality bug deterrent spray if your climate requires it.
Bugs are a big reason that you may have to end your observing session.
How much does hobby astronomy cost?
A starter telescope and eyepieces will cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on the type of telescope. Some astronomers spend much more on the hobby, but astronomy can be enjoyed at any budget. There are apps available to learn constellations and track the movement of objects and binoculars can provide exciting views.
Astronomy can be enjoyed with just a smartphone and a dark sky. Free apps like Sky Safari allow you to point your phone at the sky and learn the position of the planets and constellations.
When you are ready to upgrade to some equipment it is often recommended that beginners buy a quality pair of binoculars.
Using binoculars you will have about 50x magnification, which allows you to see more detail in planets, you may be able to see the moons of Jupeter, more detail in the Orion Nebula, and the geography of the Moon.
Many telescope manufacturers also make binoculars. These binoculars by Celestron can give you a good start in astronomy.
When you are ready to buy a telescope, consider a used telescope.
Beginners can find quality equipment second hand to save money. Buying second hand has the added benefit of giving you the chance to ask the seller questions about the telescope.
Having someone explain all the components may allow you to start using your new telescope more quickly.
On the other hand, I have found the customer service with Orion and High Point to be very helpful. Purchasing new will give you a warranty and service plan.
Eyepieces are a whole other topic, and you can read my recommendations for beginners in the linked post.
If possible, visit an astronomy group to get an idea of what is available and what is comfortable for viewing.
Is astronomy an expensive hobby?
Astronomy with a computerized telescope, large eyepiece collection, astrophotography cameras and electronic dew control is very expensive, setups can range from $5,000 to well over $10,000. Astronomy with binoculars and dark skies will cost between $50 and $200. Telescopes last for decades and can be repaired if necessary.
Most people who are interested in astronomy will purchase a telescope.
It is important that you choose your telescope carefully, because some telescopes are incredibly difficult or impossible to use. In astronomy we call these “Hobby Killers.”
These telescopes may convince you that astronomy is no fun.
I mention this because you may be tempted to find the least expensive telescope available to start observing, but it may not provide the views you are expecting.
There are a lot of telescopes available in the low to mid range that will allow you to enjoy astronomy for a lifetime.
I recommend that everyone buy a Dobsonian Reflector telescope. These telescopes will cost you between $800 and $1800 for an 8-10” model.
These telescopes are high quality and they will last a lifetime.
How do I become an amateur in astronomy?
The term amateur astronomer is used to describe anyone who studies the sky as a hobby. Professional Astronomers have gone to years of graduate school to achieve that title and it is often their profession. Amature astronomers have spent time observing and enjoying the sky.
As in any field an amateur in astronomy is someone who is not paid to study the sky. While some amateur astronomers may make contributions to the scientific field of Astronomy, many are simply observing for enjoyment.
Amateur astronomers may use a telescope, binoculars or the naked eye to observe the night sky.
Amateur astronomers have made contributions to the field by carefully observing; sunspots, variable stars, or double stars. This is known as Citizen Science.
You can join other amateur astronomers by participating in astronomical societies or astronomy clubs. This is a great place to learn and grow in the hobby.
How many amateur astronomers are there?
It is estimated that there are between 10-15,000 people just learning to use astronomy equipment as a hobby at any given time. A larger number, roughly 70,000 people are considered experienced amateur astronomers. These people are in their second or third year in the hobby.
These numbers are estimated by contributors at the Professional Partnerships in Astronomy conference in 2000.
In a paper written in 2020 it was estimated that there are about 250,000 people involved in astronomy, from professionals to casual participants.
This diagram shows how they believe the group is broken into tiers of interest and skill.
They are quick to point out the those who are new to the hobby may get frustrated and abandon it when they are unable to master the equipment.
The difference between a struggling newbie and an established amateur is the connections made within the astronomy community.
I have been helped by astronomers all over the world as I have become more established in this hobby. If you are struggling, the best thing you can do is to reach out to a local astronomy group or attend an astronomy event and make a friend.
I have found that Facebook and forum sites are a great way to make connections if there are no local astronomy groups.
Interest in astronomy has grown in the past 20 years since the paper was published, so I think the numbers are somewhat larger than they were in 2020. I do think that the percentage is probably the same:
2% Professionals in Astronomy
5% New to the hobby
30% Established in the hobby
63% Casually interested in the hobby
