Category: Guides
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The Bortle Scale Explained – Everything You Need to Know
There was a time, hundreds of years ago, when you could look up at the night sky and see thousands of stars. The Milky Way would arch overhead and misty patches of light, such as the Andromeda Galaxy or the Beehive Cluster, could be easily seen from almost anywhere with just the naked eye. In…
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How to Focus a Telescope: Tips That Work
Everyone remembers their first telescope – and for good reason. After staring at the night sky with just your eyes, it now seems as though the Moon, planets and even the distant stars themselves are now within your reach. The entire universe is at your doorstep. There’s just one problem: a lot of it seems…
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Preparing for Your First Meteor Shower Extravaganza: A Stargazer’s Guide
Meteor showers, those celestial spectacles that paint the night sky with streaks of light, are awe-inspiring events that capture the imagination of both seasoned astronomers and casual skywatchers alike. If you’re gearing up for your first meteor shower experience, this comprehensive guide will ensure you make the most of this celestial extravaganza. From planning the…
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Green Astronomy Lasers: Should You Use One?
Finding your way around the night sky is not always easy, especially for beginner astronomers. One way that you can more easily navigate the night sky is by using a green astronomy laser. But are these lasers really helpful and should you use one? Or more importantly, are these even legal!? In this article we…
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What Is a Planisphere? (And How to Use One)
There are lots of accessories out there for amateur astronomers — some cheap and some not so cheap. One of the cheaper accessories is called a planisphere (or rotating star finder). It’s become one of the go to accessories for me and has helped me find my way around the night sky on many nights. For that…