IST 605: Journey to the Stars: Astronomy (and Astrophysics!) for Beginners

The resources below are a small collection to help you delve into astronomy, and there is so much more to discover! Use the tips below as you conduct your own web searches.

Search Engine Strategies

• Search from a private or incognito window to eliminate results filtered through algorithms based on your location or search history, so that a wide range of results are provided
• Use Advanced Search to narrow your search and get more specific results
  • Google "astronomy beginner" and on the results page click "Tools" then click "Advanced Search"
• Search exact phrases by using quotes, or in Google click "Tools" and then click "All Results" and "Verbatim" to get results that match your terms exactly
• Use the advanced search box options provided in Google to expand or limit search terms
• Use filters to limit by: language; timeframe; words appearing in titles or anywhere on a page; specific sites; specific file types like .pdf 
• Remember searching can sometimes require multiple attempts before you find the resources you want! If you need assistance ask a librarian who can help you with search strategies and filters

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Astronomy for Beginners 

The BBC Sky at Night magazine has an informative guide geared towards the beginner sky gazer, taking you from your first night looking at the stars and onward. This article may be especially helpful if you have an interest in astronomy, but you’re truly stumped on where to start. Note that this is a BBC publication, so it is written from the English perspective, but the concepts and tips are useful no matter where you happen to be located. Take particular note of the “7 tips for astronomy beginners” section- being prepared, comfortably dressed and allowing time for your eyes to adjust are all key ingredients to a positive starwatching experience. There is also some practical and helpful advice about considering a telescope purchase. The linked article on how to read star charts is also a useful resource if you're unsure how to decipher star coordinates.

Dudley Observatory/Albany Area Amateur Astronomers 

Many of the guides and books in this LibGuide will mention at some point that one of the best ways to dive into hobbyist astronomy to meet others with the same interest. For those in the Capital Region, the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers (AAAA) organization is a great place to meet others who have an interest in astronomy and stargazing. The website includes information on in-person observation events and group meetings. AAAA is open to all so beginners are welcome, and the group provides access to tools like telescopes for those who may not own their own equipment. For additional regional astronomy clubs outside of Albany, visit Sky and Telescope Magazine for their club search tool.

James Webb Space Telescope 

Since its unveiling in 2022, the NASA Webb telescope has been making news that has captivated the world. In June of 2022 images from the Webb telescope gave a stunning new view of galaxies from the deepest parts of space ever observed. These images have become iconic and the gallery on the Webb Telescope webpage are awe-inspiring to view. The website also has tabs to delve into the science behind the Webb Telescope, details about the telescope observatory and a variety of multimedia resources. This site is routinely updated and is a great way to stay informed about the leading edge of astronomy and astrophysics.

NASA Skywatching 

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) website has a wealth of information, and is worth browsing as your time allows. The Skywatching page is particularly relevant and provides tips, guides, tools and an interactive digital telescope. A really useful feature of this page is a monthly guide that points out what stargazers should look out for during the current month. This includes any meteor showers or other special cosmic events, along with visibility of planets and constellations. A moon phase graphic is also provided. Stargazers will typically avoid full moons and the days surrounding them as light from the moon can dim other stars- but of course if you’re interested in using binoculars or a telescope to inspect the various features of the moon, a full moon evening can provide a great view!

Webb Telescope Detects a Possible Signature of Life on Distant World 

This Washington Post article by Joel Achenbach can be accessed via the Gale OneFile Science database shared in this guide. The recent discoveries from the James Webb telescope highlight how our understanding of the universe continues to shift as the science advances. As noted in the article, while the science is still murky as to “life beyond Earth”- there is now data available to indicate a biosignature from the most remote location in the universe ever observed. These types of scientific breakthroughs keep astronomy and astrophysics constantly interesting with new facets to learn and discover!