Category: Guides
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Hosting Your First Star Party: A Beginner’s Guide to Stargazing with Family and Friends
Hosting your first star party can be a lot of fun as every amateur astronomer will probably enjoy sharing the night sky with family and friends. In this guide, we’ll explore the key elements to ensure a successful and enjoyable stargazing event for a small group. From preparing a list of observable objects to creating…
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Is a Dobsonian the Same as a Newtonian Telescope?
If you have spent any time reading about telescopes, you have probably seen the words Dobsonian and Newtonian used like they mean the same thing. They do not — but the confusion is understandable, and once you know the difference it all clicks into place pretty quickly. The short answer is this: Newtonian describes the…
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What is Telescope Magnification?
Curious about a telescope’s “zoom” or more accurately “power” and how far its gaze can extend? Wondering which planets might grace your view? It all boils down to magnification, a key factor often misunderstood. In this article, we’ll demystify telescope magnification, offering insights that enhance your understanding of your telescope. From the basics to choosing…
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What is the New General Catalogue?
There have been hundreds of deep sky catalogues compiled over the millennia, with a handful remaining popular with both professional and amateur astronomers alike. One of these is the New General Catalogue* (NGC), and it’s fair to say there probably isn’t a serious astronomer alive who hasn’t observed objects listed in it. That said, if…
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What is a Comet? A Beginner Astronomer’s Guide
Exploring the cosmos is an exhilarating experience for budding astronomers, and one celestial phenomenon that captivates both novice and seasoned stargazers alike is the enigmatic comet. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll unravel the mysteries of these cosmic wanderers, exploring what comets are, why they are special, and how to observe them with different instruments. What…