(Newswire.net — August 20, 2020) — The news and social media all seem filled with updates on the coronavirus. While it’s important to stay updated, developing new hobbies can give you a welcome break from the scary statistics and warnings.
Amateur Astronomy Expands Your Mind
When you learn about the planets, moon and stars, you take your mind to new places. SkyWatcher Telescopes and Mounts for beginners don’t put too big a dent in your pocket. Yet, they open a whole new world to explore.
You can learn about your new pastime by joining virtual clubs or taking online classes. Expand your horizons and travel through the universe without breaking any social distancing or lockdown rules.
Are You Ready to Answer the Big Questions?
Astronomy isn’t just for geeks, although being a geek has become way cooler in recent years. When you take up stargazing you activate the learning centers in your brain. It’s a great alternative compared to other things to do during coronavirus. It’s also a great way to get outdoors and draw kids away from social media and other electronic entertainment.
According to ScienceDaily, astronomers learn about celestial objects like galaxies, stars and comets, but they also ask the big questions about our existence. Where did we come from? Looking beyond Earth’s atmosphere, the Solar System and the Milky Way galaxy, astronomers can assist scientists with evidence that impacts physics, evolution, meteorology and other fields. Answers to the big questions really are “out there.”
Maybe this is all a bit ambitious for someone looking for things to do during coronavirus. However, you definitely get a different perspective when you gaze through a telescope at the night sky. Amateur astronomy tends to impact the scale of your thinking. Humans have always pushed the boundaries of our limited knowledge and the entire universe makes a great playground for what-if questions that could reveal vital information about our past and future as a species.
Important Resources to Get Started
There are tons of resources online. Start with a guide to the stars overhead. Depending on what side of the equator you call home, you need an appropriate guide. Getting Started in Astronomy is a free, comprehensive tool for walking through the heavens with your telescope. Choose the version that matches your latitude:
- Northern Hemisphere version works best for mid-northern latitudes in the U.S., Europe and Canada.
- Southern Hemisphere version has the information needed for mid-southern latitudes in Australia, South America and Southern Africa.
These charts indicate where to find the constellation. Since the planets and moon constantly change positions, you’ll have to look those up for the day you plan to stargaze. You can find the planets and moon on Sky & Telescopes Interactive Sky Chart.
Pass the star charts on to other aspiring astronomers in your area online and start a stargazing event on social media to give others cool things to do during coronavirus.