Beginner’s Guide to Backyard astronomy – Video 3

The Virtual Astronomy ClubFree Training · Video 3 of 3
The final video

Hunting Down Your First Deep Sky Object

The payoff. Once you can find a galaxy or nebula on your own, the whole sky opens up. Here’s exactly how.

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22 thoughts on “Beginner’s Guide to Backyard astronomy – Video 3”

    1. Adam, you are indeed the brightest STAR. Many thanks for these videos, very informative, from a very polite and knowledgeable Astronomer.
      Keep up the good work.
      Many thanks Pete 

    2. Hi Adam, I thank you for all your videos ,I’m getting a dobsonian 16 in in July, I’m really looking forward to seeing what this telescope can do,I also am getting a camera fitted,I look forward to to your next video ,take care.

  1. I have loved observing Jupiter and Saturn over the last couple of months and showing friends and family the gas giants. Mars and Venus were my first planets in summer and they were a bit of a let down. Thank you for your information and enthusiasm. This video could not be better timed! My curiosity is growing and double Stars/multi stars are next on the list and thanks to you Albireo will be the first one I point my scope at. My first galaxy will be the obvious Andromeda but that must wait as I promised my neighbor that we would do it together. Just waiting on clear skies now. Thanks, Nick

      1. I just read the guide on love the night sky! I don’t know how I missed it. Adam I must say it is freaking awsome! Thank you for all the information I am now more excited than ever to “hunt” it and it’s neighbours. The entire article is fantastic! From warning would be viewers what not to expect to all the interesting facts with out overwhelming technical jargon you manage to explain mind boggling information in a fun and informative manor. I have never been so excited to view a disappointing smudge in the night sky 😂

        1. Lol – “I’ve never been so excited to view a disappointing smudge” is one of the best compliments I’ve ever received!

          I hope Andromeda lives up to your (lowered) expectations!

  2. These videos have been very informative and helpful. I am a complete neophyte. What has been keeping me from using my Meade StarNavigator is difficulty getting it set up and aligned properly. I would like to be able to find sky objects manually but also be able to use the computerized starfinder capabilities of my telescope.

    1. Hi Terry,

      No. The view in the video is ‘stereographic’. You can set it in the bottom half of the ‘sky and viewing options’ window [F4]. This is the standard view that Stellarium starts up with.

      Best wishes,

      Adam

  3. Hi Adam, thank you for the wonderful instructional videos. I had a telescope as a teenager and used to just observe the closer planets when available. But now at age 78 you have rekindled my interest in astronomy and I look forward to many exciting observations.
    Rob Gorton, Kerikeri, New Zealand

  4. Does this exercise apply to the southern hemisphere? As far as I can tell from Stellarium this star
     
     
     
    Does this apply to the southern hemisphere? As far as I can tell from Stellarium Albireo is always below the horizon.

    1. Hi Ian,

      This is only relevant for northern hemisphere observers. I’m afraid that living so far north I’m unable to provide observation guides for southern hemisphere observers.

    2. Hello, Mr. Hagan;
      Go online to the web version of  < https://stellarium-web.org/ >.
      In the lower left hand corner look for the dark area, it should have a road or street near your location.
      Clink in that dark area to change to your actual location.
      Drag the location ballon to where you are, click use this location.
      W/ your location Stellalium can show you your sky view, & what is visible from your location.
      CLEAR SKYS!

  5. Hello Adam! We are getting our telescope on Thursday! A Gskyer 130EQ. We can’t wait to put your lessons into use.
    Thanks so much for making things simple and easy to understand! 
    Cheers!

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