6 Stargazing Secrets, According to Astronomy Experts

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Even though it’s something we see daily, it can be easy to forget that looking into the night sky is really our planet’s view of the far reaches of our galaxy. Whether it’s watching a meteor shower , spotting a passing comet, or just taking advantage of a warm summer night with good conditions, all stargazers really need on hand to enjoy the show is a little bit of time to take it all in. But whether you’re an expert or a beginner, there are a few tips that can help you get the most out of the experience. Read on for stargazing secrets, according to astronomy experts.

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Under the right conditions, looking up at the night sky can be a breathtaking experience all on its own. But if you want to get a closer look, experts point out that you can improve your sights without investing in a telescope.

“Use binoculars to enhance your viewing experience and see more detail in the night sky,” Chris Klein , amateur astronomy advisor and founder of AstroRover, tells Best Life . “This will allow you to observe celestial objects in greater detail and appreciate their beauty,” adding that binoculars are much more portable and easier to travel with.

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The night sky starts to come alive as soon as the sun’s light begins to sink below the horizon. But just as daylight makes it hard to see stars, streetlights and other sources of brightness can really mute what you see above.

“Bright lights wash away the stars,” says Klein. He suggests avoiding light pollution by heading away from population centers and finding dark sky locations further from city lights.

“This will allow you to see more stars and celestial objects in the night sky, creating a better stargazing experience,” he says.

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Our eyes are built to optimize our vision depending on the conditions we’re working with. Of course, anyone who has stumbled around trying to find their way in the dark after exiting a bright room knows how disorienting it can be until your eyes acclimate. Experts note that the same rule applies to stargazing.

“Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least 20 minutes before observing to see more stars,” suggests Klein. “This will help your eyes adapt to the low light conditions and allow you to see more celestial objects in the night sky.”

This also includes avoiding the brightness of looking at your phone screen, he adds.

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One of the most appealing parts about stargazing for amateur astronomers is that it’s an outdoor activity. Unfortunately, this can also become a problem if you’re prone to getting cold.

“It gets chilly at night, even in summer,” Klein cautions. He recommends staying comfortable during extended stargazing sessions by wearing warm layers and bringing a blanket or chair that lets you lie back and look up easily.

“This will allow you to focus on the night sky and avoid distractions caused by discomfort,” he adds.

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The moon can be quite the spectacle in the night sky in and of itself—especially in the case of a lunar eclipse. But while it can be fun to gaze upon our closest celestial neighbor, it can also create lousy conditions for taking in the stars.

“Plan your stargazing trips around the new moon or crescent moon phases when the sky is darkest,” Klein says. “This will allow you to see more stars and celestial objects in the night sky, as the moon’s brightness can make it challenging to observe faint objects.”

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The night sky is so vast that it can feel overwhelming trying to locate any points of interest. But just like any other hobby, doing a little research in advance about what the sky will look like in your area can be a great way to get started.

“A little preparation will go a long way,” says Klein. He suggests using star charts or apps to identify and locate constellations, stars, and other celestial objects in the night sky, especially if you’re visiting a new corner of the globe or stargazing at a different time of year.

Once you’ve located some significant points of interest, it will help you navigate the night sky on your own and find the objects you want to observe.

The Next Total Solar Eclipse Will Be the Last Until 2044, NASA Says

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Whether you’re a casual stargazer or a devoted amateur astronomer, there’s no denying that there’s something special about witnessing a rare celestial event like a solar eclipse. Besides the fact that they only occur a few times each decade, getting a good view can come down to where you live having the right weather conditions. If you’d love to witness a solar eclipse anytime soon, you may want to mark off your calendars. NASA says the next one will be the last you can see from the U.S. until 2044. Read on for more info on how to catch this unique event.

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If catching a major cosmic event has been an item on your bucket list, you might want to grab your calendar . On Apr. 8, 2024, North America will have front-row seats to a total solar eclipse for the first time since 2017. But besides being a relatively rare event in and of itself, this will also be the last opportunity to view a full eclipse from within the contiguous United States until Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.

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Even though many areas across the U.S. will be treated to at least a partial eclipse, only places that are in the total eclipse’s direct path will get to experience the moon entirely blocking out the sun . The first sight of totality on the continent will start on Mexico’s Pacific Coast before it becomes visible stateside around noon in Texas, according to NASA. From there, the path will continue north through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine before leaving the U.S. in the late afternoon.

Viewers in Canada will be able to experience the eclipse as it begins its path through Southern Ontario and eventually makes its way through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse will disappear from North America as it passes off the East Coast of Canada in the early evening.

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So long as weather conditions remain favorable, part of what makes the experience of a total solar eclipse so special is the truly unique conditions it can create for those in its path. During the initial partial eclipse phase—or for those watching in areas outside of the total eclipse’s path—viewers will first notice a crescent blocking out part of the sun as the moon slightly covers the star while wearing the appropriate safety glasses, according to NASA.

For a few fleeting moments before the sun is covered, spectators might also be able to catch sight of Baily’s Beads, which are glimmers of light that form bright spots as sunlight passes through crags, craters, and valleys on the moon. A sharp, bright spot on the edge of the moon’s shadow known as the “diamond ring” will then appear, named for its resemblance to a sparkling piece of jewelry.

The moment the sun is completely blocked out is known as “totality,” marking the only point of the experience you can watch directly without protective glasses. Spectators might be able to make out different parts of the sun’s atmosphere, including a pink ring created by the star’s chromosphere or rays of white light from the corona. But while the view above is spectacular, sights on the ground can be just as surreal as conditions can create “a 360-degree sunset,” planets and bright stars can become briefly visible, the air temperature can drop, and “often an eerie silence will settle around you,” NASA describes.

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If you’re already excited to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial event for the last time until 2044, it might not be a bad idea to start preparing for the experience. Arguably most importantly, NASA warns you’ll need the correct specially designed safe solar viewing glasses or handheld viewer to actually be able to see it . Otherwise, you’ll need to use an indirect viewing technique, such as a pinhole projector.

“Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing,” the space agency warns, clarifying that normal sunglasses won’t offer sufficient protection. “Viewing any part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.”

And besides ensuring you have the proper equipment, you might also want to consider arranging a place to stay if you have to travel to witness the event. Cities along the path of totality will likely see a large influx of tourists scooping up available lodging, with Ross saying organizers expect anywhere between 375,000 to 500,000 people to descend upon Rochester alone.

“We’ve been starting to spread the word really since 2019 by meeting and also kind of designating everyone as an eclipse ambassador, so everyone watching right now, get ready because all of your out-of-town relatives are coming here [and] they’re gonna want to stay in your house,” Ross told WROC.