Getting Started
It doesn't take much to get started in astronomy. All you need is a curiosity about our Universe. With just your naked eyes you can do a variety of things.
- Learn the constellations
- Observe the planets and the Moon
- Identify auroras, comets, meteor showers
- View solar and lunar eclipses
A pair of 7 X 50 binoculars is an inexpensive opportunity to see more. Sights you can see with binoculars include the rich star fields of the Milky Way, some beautiful star clusters, galaxies and nebulae.
You can also enrich your mind with astronomy books and magazines. The joy of learning, intellectual discovery and the pursuit of knowledge feed the passion of amateur astronomers. The North Bay Public Library has many books, magazines, and videos suitable for beginners. Also available are three wondeful astronomy magazines. For beginners, the Canadian magazine Sky News is an excellent place to start. Astronomy is a magazine suitable for both beginers and seasoned astronomers. Sky and Telescope appeals mainly to the more seasoned amateur astronomer.