But stargazing isn’t only an ancient hobby. It’s a modern, low-cost way to appreciate the immensity of space, ponder the cosmos, or simply catch a few shooting stars. It makes for a wonderful free date night, and it’s a fun, zero-cost activity to help children connect with nature.
Want to try stargazing tonight?
Join an Astronomy Club
Becoming a member of an astronomy club, or even just attending their meetups, is an excellent way to find fellow sky lovers, absorb more knowledge than you’d expect, and peer through some impressive telescopes.
Sky and Telescope provides a useful searchfor clubs near you. MeetUpis another handy place to discover local groups of enthusiasts where you can sharpen your stargazing know-how.
Attend an Astronomy Event
If joining a club isn’t your thing, many astronomy organizations and groups host public programs that are open to everyone.
Search for colleges, universities, planetariums and observatories in your region and review their schedules. Most of these institutions operate as non-profits with educational goals and are eager to inspire new skywatchers. While a high-powered personal telescope can cost tens of thousands of dollars (or more), many planetariums, schools and universities open up their equipment to the public (often at no cost) during community events.
Just Look Up
Clubs and organized events are valuable ways to learn, but they aren’t required.
Echoing Walt Whitman’s well-known poem “When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer, sometimes it’s nicer to step outside by yourself, savor the cool night air and simply admire the stars. You don’t need a telescope to enjoy the night sky.
Tips for Beginners
Get an App
Stargazing becomes much more enjoyable when you can identify what you’re seeing. Look for apps that decode the night sky, from NASA’s offerings to iPad-only planetarium apps. This roundupwill introduce you to 10 helpful sky apps.
Check the Weather
I’ve been to locations predicted to have stunning northern lights only to be met with clouds instead of colorful curtains of light. If the sky is overcast, it will be tough to observe celestial sights. Always check the weather before committing to stargazing plans—rain and clouds are a skywatcher’s common setback.
Check the Moon Cycle
A bright full moon can outshine fainter stars. The new moon provides the darkest skies and is ideal for star spotting. Consult a lunar calendar when planning to ensure the best viewing conditions.
Dress Warmly and Bring Bug Spray
Sitting or standing still outdoors at night can get chilly quickly. Dress in layers and be prepared for changing temperatures. If insects are active, cover up and use repellent so you don’t bring home itchy reminders.
What Can I See and When?
Note these upcoming must-see astronomical happenings. If you miss these, you’ll find many other upcoming sky events online.
May 5: Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
August 12: Perseids Meteor Shower
September 27: Total Lunar Eclipse (The eastern U.S. will witness the entire eclipse; other regions may catch it as the moon rises.)
October 21: Orionids Meteor Shower
Other Events: Every night the heavens offer wonders. You don’t have to wait for a big meteor shower to go outside and enjoy the view. Here’s a week-by-week scheduleof celestial events, from an excellent view of Saturn to the rise of seldom-seen constellations. For planet observers, this guidelists the best times and places to spot the planets this year.
Northern Lights: And don’t overlook the aurora! The aurora borealis, or northern lights, are a breathtaking phenomenon generally seen in high-latitude regions.
The aurora borealis (and its southern counterpart, aurora australis) are driven by solar activity, so scientists can forecast when they’re likely to be strong. The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks publishes an aurora forecastthat rates the day’s auroral potential and shows where it might appear, including a live aurora map.
But even if you don’t live far north, keep watch. In March 2015, a powerful solar storm brought the northern lights as far south as Oregon and Illinois.
Looking for a budget-friendly evening out? Consider a goodwill date night or an inexpensive date night in nashville that can pair nicely with an evening of stargazing.
Your Turn: Do you like stargazing as a free date night, a hobby or a family outing?
