Getting Started In Astronomy

[@tubedude54]

Spot on with everything you said. When I first got interested in astronomy all I had was a pair of 6x30 WW2 binoculars my uncle gave me. I read every book I could find at the local library and even found a magazine that had one of those rotating constellation charts in it you could cut out and construct that let you set the date and time and it showed you what constellations were in view. I learned the night sky long before I graduated to a real telescope.

[@bushcraftandastronomer.3775]

Hey Jason you brought back my early years when I first started in astronomy! I got book and small star chart and in September 1988 I learned my first constellation Ursa major or plough. I then learned the constellations and stars. I started to watch the stars tv series presented by Heather couper and I also watched the sky at night with the legendary Sir Patrick Moore. I bought more books on astronomy and learned few deep sky objects. I started with binoculars and ever since I first saw M31 it became my all time favourite deep sky object. When people I knew started to ask me is there life out there? I knew Astronomy was for me! I'm studying the so called Multiverse and what dark matter and dark energy really is. My favourite Astronomer now is Neil degreese tyson as I just love how he explains astronomy and research! I really like Michio Kaku the American japanese guy who believes in parallel universes and multiverse. Is the universe a vast super computer simulation or is the universe as small as an atom? Astronomy has been a study for me ever since I got interested in it in 1988. How you got interested in it and how you started in astronomy? Great video and thanks for bringing back the memories!!! Stay safe buddy!

[@smalloptics753]

Hey Bushcraft, Thanks buddy... Nostalgla rises high whenever I hear the name Patrick Moore...I have fond memories of me as a kid desperately trying to stay awake to watch his show. My earliest memory of astronomy was when I was about 11, I was given a book called "The spotters guide to the stars," I loved that book, read it from cover to cover many times, so a combination of that book and "The Sky At Night" is why I;m doing what I'm doing 30 somthing years later. :) Take care buddy.

[@jack002tuber]

I need a place to observe. Front yard has streetlights, back yard has a lot of trees. Love the videos.

[@estymendyr8175]

It's 9 months since u made this video ,we could buy a telescope by now...lol

[@martinlegg8642]

I started learning the constellations back in October whilst out on late evening dog walks. Wish I bought some binoculars in hindsight, instead of the department store telescope I unknowingly got off Amazon 😬 Although not a great scope, I kept going with it, and got more and more interested. I can however, see how these scopes can be hobby killers ☹️ I managed to get a Skyhawk 114p late February and the difference blew me away. Still loads to learn, which is great and so glad I found this hobby. Another great video Jason. Brilliant and easy channel for beginners like me. Will definitely be joining a club when this covid thing eases up. Thank you and stay well 👍🏻🪐

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Martin, Thank you my friend.... Your not on your own making the mistake of buying a cheap telescope, a lot of us have had one of those things at some point early on in the hobby...Including me, but like you say as long as it's not "killed" the hobby for you, when you do get a "proper" telescope the difference is unbelievable... You'll not regret joining a club, you will learn so much very quickly if you do, and get to use some fantastic equipment, and best of all, you'll make new friends that are also passionate about the hobby .....Win win situation :) Take care.

[@zay6848]

I spent 3 months learning the night sky and I'm pretty decent at finding and naming the stars so I just ordered my telescope and I'm so excited!!!!

[@smalloptics753]

Well done zay, that's the way to do it.. Hope you have many hours of enjoyment with your new telescope :)

[@tomjones2121]

If you're interested in astronomy , and you are in high school, consider applying to Cornel University school of astrophysics , the very school that Carl Sagan taught at and Neil DeGrasse Tyson attended , not all viewers are hobbyists , some are aspiring astronomers , Cornel is at the top of the space study among universities but there are many others , Learn more , reach for the stars kids

[@marii8282]

i bought a ''trashcope'' and i had so much hope that it would show me acceptable views of the night sky, i was wrong. the first time looking at a star it was just a fuzzy white ball, i was dissapointed but didnt accept it. I tried looking at the moon and it was worse than looking at it with my eyes. i was so excited about getting my first telescope since i've liked astronomy for 2 years (im 14), but well i guess thats a beginner mistake i can learn from. Thank you for this video, or otherwise i wouldn't accept that i was let down and dissapointed. Have a great day.

[@ridleyroid9060]

I failed your "don't buy a telescope for nine months" test, I bought it day 1! Don't regret a thing tho!

[@astroninstruments189]

Very happy to have found your channel.

[@stevew585]

Fantastic video, cheers mate.

[@smalloptics753]

Thank you Steve. Your more than welcome pal

[@25jessieg]

My niece got a little Tasco 49 refractor and never used it. I found it in my moms closet when visiting one day. Just got it unboxed and setup, but it's been snowing the last couple days :) Always loved nerding out on space, astronomy, cosmology, etc. Your video helped a ton in getting me pointed in the right direction from here...thanks! And "get a book for kids" is actually a pretty smart idea, never thought of that before. Thanks again!

[@smalloptics753]

Hello there.. That's great to hear and Your more than welcome my friend. :)

[@bobmarleystoe]

great chanel jason its helping me big time cheers.👍

[@smalloptics753]

Great to hear my friend. Thank you for watching.

[@ZopcsakFeri]

Indeed I only had a pair of Binoculars when starting, and then I got me second pair (a much better one), and only after those did I invest in a Telescope. I still miss the binocular viewing experience they provide!

[@Astrolavista]

Really great advice about astronomy clubs, Jason. Worth their weight in gold....or er? fpl53 glass :D....Book wise - Turn Left at Orion :)

[@smalloptics753]

Thanks Chris....Do you know, I've never read Turn left as Orion, I've heard a lot of good things about it though.....Must get a copy.

[@Astrolavista]

@@smalloptics753It's great! Not only does it tell you how to find objects, it also depicts what each object looks like though binoculars, a refractor, and a larger Dobsonian. If people can't get to an astronomy club to help them decide on what optics are right for them, then Turn Left at Orion is a very good back up plan. It's a big old book though, almost like one of those coffee table books.

[@smalloptics753]

@@Astrolavista I'll definitely be adding it to my wish list....Thanks Chris :)

[@GalaxyArtMedia]

Good video Jason. 2 nights ago i used my finder scope to observe M44, while imaging it with my telescope, i think i will try some Binoculars also.

[@smalloptics753]

Hey G.A.M Thank you buddy, M44 is lovely though bino's :)

[@marsc198]

I am so loving your channel Jason! I have just bought my first telescope, second hand. I was going to buy some binoculars from a neighbour but he found a AU$900 Saxon refractor telescope for AU$200 second hand, so I grabbed it. My neighbour is just as excited as I am! And I am lucky enough that he knows a lot more about optics than I do! Funny you have suggested going out looking for constellations, as I have been going out on nightly walks here in my small country town in South Australia and just trying to pick out objects using Stellarium on my mobile phone. I have also been taking photos of the moon with my Samsung S22 Ultra. To be honest, this has been the absolute best medicine for my severe depression after the passing of my partner 18 months ago - who can be depressed when looking up at the stars and realising how awesome our universe is! Will you be doing another live Q&A anytime soon? Sorry for the 'essay', Jason. Please keep doing what you do! Absolutely LOVE it! Thanks from Down Under!

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Marianne. Great to hear you are enjoying my channel I'm hoping to do another Q&A soon so stay tuned.. So sorry to hear about your loss but its great to hear that astronomy has eased things a little for you. Enjoy your new telescope and I hope it stays clear for you. All the best, stay safe. 🙂

[@marsc198]

@@smalloptics753 thank you Jason! Have a great week :)

[@Dr.Q960]

Just found your channel👏

[@SimRacingVeteran]

I decided to buy an 8” Dobsonian for my first scope. I’ll fake it until I make it.

[@Goku61001]

Any thoughts on the following binoculars Celestron SkyMaster Pro 20x80 (Pro) as a beginner? ...and which mount to pick?

[@JFSVideos]

I have these and they are great except they are pretty big. I also have a simple pair of 10x50, which may be better because they are easier to handle. If you do get the 20x80 consider a mount. Either simple tripod or better yet a parallelogram.

[@hellhoundytb]

130/900 spherical mirror?If so, I have the same one, it's great for taking pictures of the Moon and such.Can you see nebulae with it?Geat channel !

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Sorin, Thank you friend. Yes you can see some of the brighter nebula it all depends on sky conditions and light pollution levels. Good targets for a 130mm telescope are... M42, M81/82, M27(dunbbell Nebula) M57(The Ring Nebula) to name a few. Take care, clear skies :)

[@andrewpattie358]

I had a book for beginners i got my boy 🤣 found it very helpful i also think the app stellarium is very useful and helpful too and I would also say the best thing I got for my basic telescopes was the 24/8mm eyepiece I used it both my table top one and 76/700 az not great scopes i no but im just starting and have found it be brilliant at keeping track of objects wich I think is the hardest part of astronomy dam things keep moving 🤣

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Andrew, Me too, my first book was called "Spotters guide to the stars" I loved it, read from cover to cover many times, I often wonder what happend to that.....Fond memories... Ha ha ha yes it is hard to keep track of the stars and planets if you haven't got some kind of motor....Then they decide to speed up when you increase the power....Don't know what they are running away from, we only want to admire them :)

[@andrewpattie358]

@@smalloptics753 🤣

[@rayyan-g3x]

So Jason can I see the m57 ring nabula

[@westwater73]

Hey Jason I've been thinking about getting some binoculars for my telescope 🔭, Have you ever used them,or have any opinions on them...

[@smalloptics753]

Hello westwater73, binoculars are fantastic for astronomy, I use them all the time, sometimes more than my telescope. They are great for a lot of night time targets, especially star clusters. I don't know many astronomers, if any, that don't have a pair. Ideal practical size are 7x50 or 10x50 anything larger than that will need a tripod because they get heavy and hard to keep the target still in the eyepiece. If you are thinking of buying a pair do so, you'll not regret it. Take care, clear skies :)

[@raphnhat]

Hello Jason. I tried to see Jupiter last night but it seems too bright. Could you please recommend to me some filter that could improve my vision?

[@rayyan-g3x]

Jason is 76/700 telescope good for deep sky object's ??

[@dwaynerobertson383]

Excellent video and advice. Thank you for sharing this!!

[@raymarvelez]

I'm going to get the 15x70 Celestron skymaster and use the broom trick you taught me

[@thegamerguy1801]

Hello, thank you for all the information. I'm a guy with a negative eyesight and can't see far away objects. Is it possible for me to continue in astronomy? I have always been a theoretical physics guy, but I would like to observe now. Please let me know, thanks a lot for making this video🙂

[@smalloptics753]

Hello Murthy, I can't see why not pal I know a few people with eyesight problems who still managed ok, I would imagine you wear eye glasses if you do, the only thing to be aware of is you will need a eyepiece with a long eye relief (distance your eye is from the eyepiece) when purchasing eyepieces it will state the eye relief in the description you tend to pay a little bit more for long eye relief eyepieces but they are worth it in the long run. So I say go for it my friend. All the best.

[@thegamerguy1801]

@@smalloptics753 thanks a lot for the answer. I will check it out 🙂

[@cdz9400]

I bought the telescope, then decided to watch these videos. I have done the complete opposite of what you said 😂

[@anata5127]

What book? Get Stelarium or Star Walk 2.

[@ryank1273]

I have ADHD, I can not wait nine months to buy a telescope.

[@rayyan-g3x]

Jason is 76/700 telescope good for deep sky object's ??

[@smalloptics753]

Not really.. For the brighter dso's it will be OK such as orion nebula and Andromeda galaxy. You will be quite limited with that size but there is still a lot of astronomy that can be done with a small telescope.. You are best looking at reflectors if your main interest are dso's. Anything above 130mm of aperture will do the job. Hope this helps 🙂