bunch of blogs: Hobbies

When there are billions of stars in the galaxy, there are a billion and one reasons for an amateur astronomer to stay up at night to watch the sky. If you’ve been bit by the stargazing bug, give in. It’s a very enjoyable hobby. To help you get started, here are some things you might want to know:
Get a sky chart
A sky chart or a field guide can help you find where the stars are in the heavens. Since their positions change depending on the seasons, you can use the sky chart to help you find a particular star immediately. You can also map out the locations of different constellations and recognize any star in the night sky by simply referring to your sky chart.
What to look for
The star that shines brightest in the northern hemisphere is Sirius. You might also want to find Polaris, the North Star. If you’re a little lost, you can look to the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) to show you the way. Find the ‘bowl’ or ‘ladle’ of the Dipper. The two stars located away from the handle are the Pointer Stars, called Dubhe and Merak. Follow where they point straight towards the North and you will find Polaris.
Don’t forget to enjoy the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor), Cassiopeia, Draco, Cepheus and other constellations – there are 88 of them, some of which are visible at different times of the year.
You can also watch for falling stars or meteor showers. Their appearance is usually announced on TV and newspapers. On special nights, you can enjoy hundreds of the most beautiful sight streaking across the night sky.
Star bright, star light
Stars are categorized by brightness, which is measured by magnitude. The magnitude scale has the brightest stars having 0 or even negative magnitudes. For example, Sirius has a magnitude of -1.46. Vega, a star that shines bright during summer, has a magnitude 0. Polaris has a magnitude 2 and Antares has a magnitude 1. Stars with a magnitude of 29 need the Hubble Space telescope to be seen and get this: they are 250,000,000,000 times less bright than Vega.
Telescope
As a newbie astronomer, you don’t really need a telescope to enjoy stargazing. It’s best to familiarize yourself first with stars and constellations using just your naked eye at first. You can also use a good pair of binoculars since these will do the job nicely. Buy a telescope only if you’re already familiar with the night sky and enjoy it to the fullest.

Many have learned from school and overall knowledge about the planet Earth and the Solar System that it belongs to. When we look at ourselves, we see ourselves as such a big piece of the Earth. However, compared to the vast greatness of the universe, human beings are like sand grains in terms of size.
If we think that the Earth is overpopulated with an estimated six billion people around the world, it is good to know that there are billions of stars in our galaxy the (Milky Way) alone. In addition to that, there are numerous galaxies which each contain billions of stars as well, and truly, the stars are too many to count. However, one really important star that all people know about is the sun, which our world couldn’t live without, realistically speaking.
The sun is the center of our solar system. Our planet, the other planets in this Solar System, and other pieces of matter, such as asteroids, comets, space dust, etc. – they all orbit the sun. This is different than when the early scientists concluded that our planet Earth is the center of the system and everything orbits around our planet. It’s been proven by scientists and astronomers that the sun is actually the one that is the center.
We can’t live without the sun. This is because sunlight is the primary source of energy to the Earth. Think about a world without any sunlight at all. Yes, there are some countries that don’t have sunlight for as long as six months, which is why it is cold, snowy and icy in those areas. In contrast, countries that have experience a lot of sunlight usually have fresh and healthy plant and animal life, which translates into better air and oxygen quality.
There are still some power plants that operate on solar energy, meaning they draw and manufacture power thanks to the energy coming from the sun. The sun is so powerful that the sunlight that reaches the Earth can be converted into energy. If the ozone layer was to be completely destroyed or the Earth somehow gets closer to the sun, it would mean death simply because of the immense power of the sun.
Astronomers can view the sun by means of proper filters. They can’t view it directly since it could be blinding, especially through a telescope. This also means that for some astronomers, or the ones that have set up a mini observatory at home, viewing the sun by means of a regular telescope can’t be done. You have to have proper filters installed on your telescope in order to view it so that it isn’t as bright, but still distinct in its characteristics.
Viewing the sun with the naked eye for a period of time would be very painful and may cause temporary blindness. If that is the case with the naked eye, think about what will happen when you use binoculars and/or telescopes without the proper filters, as this will magnify the light. Viewing the sun through unfiltered lenses can cause permanent blindness, even if you take only a small glance –a testament to the power of the sun.
Before attempting to view the sun and take a look at the sunspots, make sure you acquire the proper filters first. One of the better choices is using a neutral density filter, which can dim the sunlight by a great degree. Even photographers use neutral density filters.
Sunspots are one of the nice views you will get to see in the sun, if you’re using a telescope with a neutral density filter, even at home. They are noticeable because of their darker appearance while in the body of the sun, because of their lower temperatures.
The sun is a magnificent celestial body. In order to view it properly, even in home astronomy, you need to get a good telescope with the proper filters (neutral density is recommended). A good piece of advice would be to warn those in your house or those visiting before letting them use your telescope, especially children who play with the device. Point it away from the sun when not in use just to be safe.

Believe it or not, people have long been looking at the night time sky and have also been recording everything they have seen.
The following are some of the activities that one could involve himself in the exploration of astronomy-related activities. Who knows, you could discover celestial bodies in the process.
Video coverage activity
The astronomical observer as well as the photographer must maintain an astronomical vigil that is uninterrupted.
An activity that involves video recording of an astronomical observation is similar to being able to preserve insects in an amber.
The fact of the matter is that only few camcorders are able and equipped to have lenses which could be removed and at the same time allow attachment to telescopes.
Go to your neighborhood library
A public library is always a good resource of astronomy-related info. This is an activity that could also lead to discovery and ultimately knowledge.
The library is the tool of the beginning astronomer. As much as possible, search the shelf for books that offer you knowledge and guidebooks that will enable you to see the universe.
Read up on constellations and stars. However, if the library isn’t enough, go to your bookstore as well as magazine shops. Believe it or not there are magazines which offer sky maps every month. They also offer projects and tips for every astronomy skill level.
Search and bond with fellow astronomy amateurs
Nothing beats sharing your own interests with that of others. Contact an astronomy club near you. These organizations usually have nighttime observation sessions and meetings. This is also an opportunity to try on various telescopes, get valid advice and make friends.
Keep a diary on astronomy
Though this is an optional activity, it is best to keep note or a logbook of everything you see and do. Having a record keeps the mind concentrated and focused. This is very effective in jotting down notes such as, Nov 8 – binoculars a witness to a night that is windy, Cassiopeia present.
It is best to have a spiral notebook and always keep this along with your other observing gears. You will discover that looking back at previous entries and astronomical experiences gives a relevant meaning to your astronomical activities now.
All in all, engaging in the discovery of celestial bodies are relevant and good activities to do especially if this is where your passion lies. Keep it fun.

Astronomy is referred to as  the science of celestial objects and phenomena that originates outside the earth s atmosphere . (Wikipedia).
Astronomy equipment on the other hand refers to the instruments being used to study these areas.
Below are some of the most commonly used astronomy equipment which can probably be used by almost anyone that takes a fancy in the field of astronomy:
1. Telescopes. Probably one of the most well-known of all astronomical equipment, the telescope is used to have a closer view of the moon or other planets. A simple telescope which can be bought from any science or toy store can give it s owner a perfect view of even the moon s crater.
In buying the perfect telescope, there are many things to consider such as the locations where it would be brought to (weight considerations e.g., it has to be brought to remote locations), what one wishes to look for (planets or moon), and of course which among the three types of telescopes one wants to purchase (reflector, refractors or compounds).
Still, telescopes come in various styles. The most inexpensive of which is the Achromatic. If one opts for the perfect color or image, the Aprochromatic is the better choice. Other styles include the following: Newtonian, Maksutov-Cassegrain, Schmidt-Cassegrain and the Ritchey-Chretien.
One should NEVER use any type of telescope to look at the sun. Proper solar filters much accompany it for such viewing.
2. Computers. The basic need of any professional or would-be astronomers is the computer, wherein one can store data or run certain software for astronomical research.
Of the three kinds of computers (PC which runs Microsoft Windows, Macintosh OS X or Linux or Unix), the most preferred by professionals is the Linux since most software designs provided by government funded projetcs are in the Unix form.
3. Camera. Images that can be seen through the telescope can be captured and stored for future studies. This is called astrophotography.
The two basic photography methods that are being used are the film and CCD or Charged Coupled Device. The latter is made from the same materials as that of computer chips and uses the photo-electric effect, while the former uses various chemicals to extract the image of the captured object.
4. Radio. These are used by astronomers to enable them to study various phenomena. Astronomers make use of radio waves with a frequency range between 300GHz to 30MHz.

If you are aiming to become an astronomer in your own right, then the star guide is the best reference material for you. Astronomy, basically, involves the study of the heavenly bodies in outer space. So, the sky is the domain of this field of science.
There are millions of stars in the indefinite universe. The sun is also considered an average-sized star. Have you ever wondered what it would be like in the other stars? There might be planets similar to the earth, so there might be other living creatures in outer space.
Did you know that man is considered a child of the stars? Astronomers believe that the overall composition of stars is also the basic composition of the human body. The matter that constituted stars during the Big Bang, which is a popular theory of creation among scientists, are also believed to be the exact matter that constitutes the human body up to this moment.
Another interesting fact is that you can look at the past by simply looking at stars in the evening sky. That is because the light from the stars that reaches the earth are millions of light years away.
You know that light travels at fast speeds. So imagine how distant the stars are and how much time it would need for the stars’ lights to reach the earth. The current state of such stars can’t be visible yet, so what you look at right now are the stars’ state millions of years ago.
Amazing, isn’t it? Well, these and more facts and trivia about the stars could be yours if you want to invest in star guides. You could also learn more about stars, like their names, myths and legends, the discovery and so much more.
Star guides
Star guides are books that are specifically written to serve as guide to aspiring astronomers. It wouldn’t be easy being an accredited astronomer, so you could get on with your profession and pursue astronomy somehow as a hobby.
Star guides would be the reference material for you. There would be no need for technical schooling. Star guides touch on the subjects about all the 88 identified constellations observable in the evening sky.
Did you know that out of the millions of stars in the evening sky, only 70 are considered major and are given their specific names? Among these stars are Altair, Betelgeuse and Schedar. These stars have their own specific characteristics that set them different from each other.
Aside from the names, the stars’ particular and permanent positions in the sky are also established. Through regularly consulting with a star guide, you can easily tell which star is which and even boast of the knowledge about known facts and discoverers of the stars.
Every star guide comes with graphics that will illustrate the usual star arrangements so you could easily pinpoint locations of stars. Through this map, you could also identify the constellations or groups of stars that mimic a picture usually of man or animals.
Calculations
Aside from knowing the names and positions of stars, star guides also teach you how to predict when stars will rise. There are simplified calculations that are taught to you so you could easily predict the exact time when a star will rise from the horizon.
You know that the earth is rotating and is revolving around the sun. Logically, the position of stars at night could also vary. Know which stars are visible in any given season and which aren’t using the star guide.
Star guides and astrology
Aside from astronomy, star guides also make the Bible for astrology, or the art of predicting the future based on the positions of the stars. Astrologers may not be as scientific as you, or the astronomers, would be in treating data about the stars, but they share the same interest in stars.
There are 12 zodiac signs in modern astrology. These signs aren’t exclusively used in astrology because they are also used to identify groups of stars for astronomy.
Thus, some people assert that astronomy and astrology are estranged bed fellows. They only differ in purposes. Astronomy is more in identifying the scientific aspect of heavenly movements and locations, while astrology deals with the perceived significance of such data on lives of people.
Moreover, astronomy would be easy if you would have a star guide at hand. Invest on the reference material and know more about stars.

Astronomy, as stated in Wikipedia, is the science of celestial objects and phenomena that originates outside the Earth s atmosphere. Simply put, it studies the moon, the other planets and stars, and the universe we live in.
Since time immemorial, people have been intro Astronomy long before they gave it a name. Early studies of astronomy comprised of simple observation (through the naked eye) of visible heavenly bodies and predictions of its probable movements.
With the development of the ancient civilizations such as that of China, Greece, Egypt and India, various observatories where dedicated and used for the advancement of astronomical studies. Even before the telescope had been invented, various discoveries had already been made, such as the cycle of eclipses (by the Chaldeans), and the size of the Moon and its distance from the Earth (by Hipparchus).
Modern times brought in the invention of other equipment which had profound effects of uncovering other discoveries about the universe. The telescope enabled people to study and determine the other planets and had predicted and calculated the entry or passing through of various comets or meteorites.
Some of the most famous astronomers are the following:
1. Edmund Halley. He was the British astronomer who was the first to be able to calculate the orbit of a comet.
2. Galileo Galilei. Am Italian who is well known for his contributions to physics and astronomy, most notably of which is his invention of the telescope.
3. Claudius Ptolemy. He is the author of Almagest, which contained various geometric theories that mathematically explained the position and motion of the sun and planets and its moon. He was one of the first people to create the horoscopes, and although most of his theories had later been proved wrong, still, it had formed the foundation for future studies of certain matters.
4. Johannes Kepler. He was the German astronomer who founded the Kepler s Law which verifies the three laws of the planetary motion.
5. Tycho Brahe. He was one of the astronomers who first calculated the astronomical measurement of our solar system and more than 700 other stars. When King Frederick II of Norway and the King of Denmark had offered him funds to be able to build an observatory, he gradually accepted and built one in 1576, the castel of Uranienborg, which literally means the fortress of heavens.

“Beauty is essential to the naked eye.” This is a popular line from Antoine de Saint Exupery’s classic “The Little Prince.” Now “the naked eye” is figure of speech pertaining to human perception unaided by any equipment like binoculars or the telescope.
Now if you say naked eye astronomy, that seems impossible because we all know that we need binoculars or telescopes to see those cosmic objects and celestial bodies high up in the night sky.
But this isn’t the definition of naked eye astronomy. The term refers to events that can be seen by the public. These are commets, meteor showers and astronomical conjunctions. There are so many phenomena out there that can’t be observed by the unaided eye.
Normally, our visin has a magnitude of +6m, which is the anular resolution. But there are some people who have keener eyesight. There has been evidences that these people see Uranus and the moons of Jupiter.
The average eye can see 2500 stars up in the night sky but because of the dust and other atmospheric elements, their numbers are reduced to 1500 and 2000. A naked eye can also detect star clusters or what we call constellations. These are the Pleiades, Persei. Hercules, Andromeda and Orion.
In fact, five planets are visible with the naked eye. These are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Then there’s the sun and the moon - which is also part of the solar system – therefore earning the nickname the sixth and seven “planets.”
Naked eye astronomy has been evident throughout history. The ancient Egyptians, Mayans and Babylonians all measure time with their naked eye. The occultations of the moon are also observed.
When observing a small object without a miscroscope or a magnifying glass, the general distance is 20 to 25 centimeters. But when held at close range, 0.05 mm can already be seen clearly. This accuracy depends on the experience of the measurement.
If let’s say the Milky Way is visible, then it shows that the atmosphere is clean. If we look high up in the sky and locate zenith, the “blue-ness” degrades because of dust and pollution.
For astronomers, light pollution is a problem because it makes it harder for them to see the celestial objects and cosmic bodies at night. The seasons also affect what the naked eye can see. It is so hard to see high up in the sky during winter.

There aren’t many astronomy stores around. But rest assured that the existing shops are out to distribute the best instruments that are used for astronomy.
People are often very curious about how the stars, the sun and the moon would look like if viewed more closely. The naked eye sure would make looking at these celestial bodies possible, but you know your eyes’ vision and capacity is very limited.
An astronomy store is a specialized shop that is authorized to distribute high-quality and effective instruments for astronomy. There are several types of astronomy tools that are sold in an astronomy store.
Telescopes, eyepieces and binoculars are the most common products being marketed by the few astronomy stores around. You can easily purchase these tools elsewhere, but those products wouldn’t be appropriate for astronomy purposes.
Telescopes
The telescopes so far dominates the products sold by astronomy stores. You would be surprised at how many different types of telescopes can be bought on the market. There are specific types of telescopes for every astronomy purpose.
For the case of the sun, ordinary telescopes wouldn’t be effective if you are aiming to see sun glares or storms at the sun’s very bright surface. There are special telescopes for such and you won’t be able to purchase such devices unless you buy from an authorized astronomy store.
For observing the moon, simpler telescopes will do. That is because the moon is definitely much closer in distance to the earth than the sun and more particularly, the stars. However, specialized telescopes for moon-viewing are also available so you could look at the satellite’s face up close.
As for the stars, high-powered telescopes will be needed so you can look closely at the heavenly structures. These instruments will help you look into each star with greater magnitude, unlike when you are looking at the stars with your naked eye, which could lead to eyestrains because the subjects are too small and are blinking.
Astronomy stores for astronomy videos
Some astronomy stores also sell especially created movies and videos for greater dissemination of information about this field of science. Videos and movies will be helpful if you are aiming to introduce astronomy to your kids or to other people.
There are videos that are focused on the latest developments and discoveries about planets and other objects in outer space. More often, there are new and amazing discoveries about the planets in the Solar System. This information will surely add to your knowledge and entertain you as well.
Other products sold at astronomy stores
Of course, there are other interesting products sold at every astronomy store. Aside from the eyepieces and the videos, there are also special materials that would further draw you closer to astronomy.
One of these products is the star guide. A star guide is a special reference material that will help you understand stars better, identify names and locations of different stars and constellations and even predict the appearances of stars.
Mapping the stars can be an exact science no matter how hard counting stars in the evening sky is. There are techniques on how you could easily group and categorize stars so you can identify them much better.
Stars also rise and set from the horizons. That is because the earth is rotating and revolving around the sun. You could estimate the exact time when stars will be shining form the horizons using the simplified calculation schemes inside star guides.
There are also special cameras that will help if you want to document your observations. Stars in the evening sky won’t be easily captured in picture, but with the high-resolution cameras sold at astronomy stores, the once ardent task can be made significantly easier and more effective.
Reflectors and refractors can also be bought from these specialty stores, as well as other accessories for observing the sky. You would be surprised at how many accessories a single astronomy instrument can have.
Astronomy stores can be a great place not only for buying instruments and accessories, but also for learning. Visiting one surely would be like a field trip to the planetarium. There is just so much in store in every astronomy store. Check out one now.

Are you having troubles defining and understanding words or terms that have connection with the sky and space? Do you keep on hearing these words yet you don’t know what it means? Are you intrigued with the words such as star gazing, Big Dipper, Milky way and so on? Then an astronomy dictionary is the one that you need.
An astronomy dictionary is just like any other dictionary. The only difference is that in an astronomy dictionary, it is more focused or concentrated with the terms that are used in space and the sky such as constellation, planets and the universe. This dictionary is very beneficial to those who have a high interest with astrology or the study of the planets and the universe.
You can buy an astronomy dictionary in different forms. These dictionaries may come in a book type or even an interactive compact disk wherein you can open with the use of a computer. The book type is for people who are always on the go and want to have an instant access to the information wherever they may be. The book type may come in various sizes such as small, medium or large.
For travelers, they may opt to buy the smallest size or the handy one which can be brought along at all times without any bulk. The larger sized dictionaries on the other hand are more comprehensive than that of the smaller ones. It also provides mnemonics so that the reader may have an additional idea about the said term.
The interactive CD type of dictionary is also very useful. This is also as comprehensive as the large-sized dictionary but less the bulk since everything is already inside the CD. Most the CD-typed dictionaries are complete in providing information.
There are also dictionaries about astronomy that you can find online. There are so many astronomy websites or webmasters that provide their own dictionaries on their webpage. This is an instant access for those who are studying with the use of the internet and want to have a quick idea or information with regards to a particular term or word.
Studying astronomy is easy especially if you have a dictionary to guide you along the way. Some people may oversee the power of the dictionary but you will be surprise on how helpful an astronomy dictionary can be. So if you are having a hard time understanding astronomy, buy an astronomy dictionary now to fully enjoy the world of astronomy.

Astronomy is essentially the study of space – the universe and all the celestial bodies that make up our galaxy, including their structure and history. It means pointing our sights towards the sky and making observations about space.
Astronomy as a science is considered the oldest. It dates back to the time when people began looking at space and observing how everything in it behaved. They soon came to the conclusion that there was a certain predictability to the movements of the stars and planets. Ancient peoples then began to use this knowledge to tell time.
Astronomy and Time
Our modern use of clocks and other time measuring devices owe a lot to astronomy and the study of space. People during the ancient times used the movements of the sun, moon and other stars to tell time and set the seasons for human activities such as planting and harvesting.
Even early celebrations pertaining to religion was based on the movements of celestial bodies in space. The early form of astronomy was a great help in establishing regularity and measurable time, especially when used with man-made implements.
A famous example of this is the Stonehenge, a massive stone structure that was used as an observatory as far back as 3000 BC. It mainly tracked the sun’s movement along the horizon to predict the coming and going of the seasons. About 500 years later, Stonehenge may also have been utilized to predict lunar eclipses as well.
By 1800 BC, the early Babylonians were able to develop a rough calendar based on the Sun’s movement and the moon’s phases. Models of the supposed circular motions of the celestial bodies in space were developed by the Greeks and were later on enhanced by Hipparchus and Ptolemy. Johannes Kepler later replaced the circle with the ellipse.
Other famous astronomers who made major contributions to our modern knowledge of space include Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei. Copernicus refuted Ptolemy’s theory of an earth-centered galaxy and instead theorized that the sun was the center around which the planets revolved.
Galileo Galilei improved on this further when he used a telescope to explore space in 1609. Although he was tried by ecclesiastical authorities for his theories, Galileo’s insights were proven correct later on.
Astronomy today
Astronomy has a few practical uses, but it is engaged in by many professional and amateur astronomers because it does satisfy our thirst for knowledge of space. Today, various methods are used in exploring space, including radio, infrared, x-ray, ultraviolet and gamma-ray astronomy.