JTDUK

Thanks for the responses guys.

I'm very keen to avoid any kind of app at this stage. I was just curious about the planisphere really, as so far I have not actually found anything with it. I looked at pictures in a book to identify the plough (after some delay before I realised it was called something else in the States) and then found everything else from that.

Mind you, I suppose its easier at the moment as there are only like 6/7 visible constellations here.

Hi guys,

So I got my planisphere... I have to be honest is seems pretty useless. I got the Philips one and I am sure I am following the instructions right, but it doesn't seem very accurate at all? 

I've found that, rather than match the date and time and line it up with north, it's much easier just to find the plough and orientate the map to that. The whole plastic oval thing seems pointless. It also seems that things aren't that clearly matched with what's actually in the sky! I've been finding the constellations by just Googling images!

Does this sound standard, or have I bought a dud planisphere?

Thanks for all the responses on this guys. Planisphere is on its way and I think I managed to identify Polaris the other night, so it's all go.

However, I've been looking at binoculars and found these:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Aculon-A211-12-Binocular/dp/B00BC1BXPW/ref=sr_1_9?crid=R215IPE8AV2R&dchild=1&keywords=nikon+binoculars&qid=1620164741&sprefix=nikon+bino%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-9

It says they are available in 10 - 22 x 50....

So does that mean these are a good buy, as they offer differing zoom levels, or are they still likely to be too heavy?  I know I am missing something here... or someone would have suggested zoom binoculars already!

Cheers

Sad news indeed. In my opinion, the moon landing was mankind's greatest ever single achievement. 

A little bit eerie for me, as I received a notification with the news of his passing quite literally as I was finishing a Lego build of the Apollo 11 LM 😔

42 minutes ago, wheresthetorch? said:

I found this book by SPM very helpful when I was starting out with binoculars.  While it's a bit dated now, the constellation and stars haven't moved (much). 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0521793904/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_QW06HMJBB3HVMR3T7MEJ

Ordered! I have to go with SPM!

So with the binoculars, is 50 the upper limit or is it worth trying to find other set-ups, say 10 x 70 or 12 x 60?

Also, I know summer isn't a good time for stargazing and I'm aware that a full moon makes it harder to see anything else, but the last couple of nights I could count the visible stars on my fingers and toes!  I don't live in a particularly built up area - my nearest town is Woking, which is hardly New York. I don't have a car at the moment so I'm wondering how typical this is? I was sure I could see a fair bit more when we first moved here a couple of months ago!

14 hours ago, Tiny Clanger said:

Oh, and the planets in order, from the Sun :

My             Very       Easy      Method    Just           Speeds    Up          Naming      Planets

Mercury      Venus   Earth     Mars         Jupiter      Saturn      Uranus   Neptune    Pluto    (not really a planet now, but it was when I learned the mnemonic !)

For a book with background information (not to do with observing, but what is up there and how it all works) I'd suggest if you can do it, a visit to a library or bookshop (second hand ones often have some good titles, but be aware that anything more than a few years old might have info which has been superseded, astronomy is a fast moving science ) ,, and do not be embarrassed to check out the children's section, there are some really good Dorling Kindersley and Usborne titles which would give you an easy overview to start off with. One book a friend said they enjoyed recently was 'The Astronomy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained' from Dorling K , which takes the historical approach , leading you through progressive discoveries by Kepler etc

Authors who I think are good at explaining to beginner adults I'd say Ian Ridpath, Heather Couper (no relation) and Nigel Henbest, but I've not really read any of their books recently, so cannot be specific about titles.

Heather

Fantastic, thanks for this.

I hear  you on the children's books idea. This wouldn't be the first time that the 'For Dummies' range has been a bridge too far for me. I have ordered the DK planets book. Looks like it has plenty of pictures...

Fantastic, thanks for all the input guys.

I see 10x50s are recommended. So does this mean I should avoid the really high magnification ones? As a newbie, I figured planets are far away so I need the most magnification possible...

Hello all,

I've recently found myself wanting to take up stargazing and learn more about astronomy in general.

I've read a few 'beginners guides' online and there are quite a few that suggest using binoculars or just the naked eye first, to learn where everything is and what not. I quite like this idea as I'd prefer to do things properly and it will also save me from wasting a fortune on a telescope if this turns out to be a fad.

So, firstly I'd be interested on people's thoughts and whether this is the best approach? And, if so, any recommendations on binoculars?

I am also totally clueless (I don't even know what order the planets are in) so if anyone could suggest any books to get started? I've searched the threads on here but am hoping for something that isn't too telescope-based, if possible? 

Finally, I'm not really sure what the difference between a planisphere and a night sky map is? Do I need both? (I prefer to rely on mobile apps/computer screen as little as possible)

Many thanks