A beginner's guide to backyard astronomy includes tips on understanding the observable cosmos, finding a good stargazing location, essential gear such as binoculars and apps, and exploring celestial objects during the day. It also suggests connecting with other backyard astronomers and highlights notable astronomy events in 2024.
The Dwarf II Smart Telescope is a compact and versatile smart telescope designed for astrophotography, featuring wide-angle and telephoto lenses, GOTO and object tracking capabilities, and connectivity to mobile devices. While it offers good image quality for its size and is suitable for day and night use, it has an awkward user experience, limited battery life, and lacks an eyepiece. Available in Classic and Deluxe packages, it is well-priced and portable, making it a viable option for backyard astronomy enthusiasts despite some usability issues.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been capturing stunning images of various celestial objects since its launch. To celebrate its achievements, astronomers are encouraged to observe some of the targets that JWST has captured. These targets include Jupiter, Neptune, the Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula, and Stephan's Quintet. With a small backyard telescope or even binoculars, observers in the Northern Hemisphere can enjoy these sights during the fall and winter months.