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Beginner’s Guide to Astronomy
Everything you need to start your journey under the night sky
👋 Welcome to Astronomy
You don’t need a telescope to start. You just need a clear night and curiosity.
Whether you just looked up at the night sky and felt wonder for the first time, or you’ve been curious about the cosmos for years — you’re in the right place. The Bluewater Astronomical Society welcomes beginners of all ages. BAS hosts public nights, member meetings, and star parties throughout the year where you can look through real telescopes and ask as many questions as you like.
📱 Recommended Apps — Learn the Night Sky
The best planetarium apps for smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers — recommended by BAS members.
⭐ BAS Top Picks
BAS #1 recommendation. The gold standard in planetarium software. Works on iOS, Android, Desktop, and free at stellarium-web.org. Shows the real-time sky from your exact location with constellation lines, deep sky objects, satellite passes, and a time-slider. If you install only one app, make it Stellarium.
The choice of serious amateur astronomers. Huge database, telescope control, detailed object descriptions, custom observing lists, and night vision mode.
An excellent mid-tier option with a massive database and all the observing planning tools, without telescope control. Great value for intermediate astronomers.
📱 Also Recommended
No frills, no ads, no paywalls. Originally Google Sky Map. Works offline. Simple, accurate, and reliable.
The most visually polished AR planetarium app. Point your phone at the sky and identify stars, planets, and constellations instantly.
The simplest AR stargazing app. Just point and identify. Perfect for absolute beginners and children.
Official NASA app with APOD, mission updates, ISS tracker, and live streaming.
Track the ISS, satellites, and iridium flares. Know exactly when and where to look up.
Get push notifications before the ISS passes over your location. Includes AR compass mode.
Rich visuals, events calendar, and excellent planning tools. A strong alternative to SkySafari.
🖥️ Free Desktop Planetarium Software
Free, open-source, and the most powerful free planetarium software available.
Excellent deep sky object support. A solid free alternative to paid software, popular with visual observers.
🔭 Choosing Your First Telescope
There are many telescope types and it can be overwhelming. BAS recommends trying before you buy.
Come out to a BAS public night first — you can look through several different telescopes before spending anything. When you’re ready to buy, our recommended Canadian suppliers have astronomers on staff who actually use the equipment.
Start with binoculars — 10×50 binoculars reveal the Moon’s craters, Jupiter’s moons, star clusters, and even the Andromeda Galaxy.
Best visual telescope — A 6″ or 8″ Dobsonian reflector gives stunning views of nebulae, galaxies, and planets at exceptional value.
Interested in astrophotography from the start? — See our Astrophotography & Technology page for dedicated setup recommendations.
BAS recommended Canadian suppliers: Astronomy Plus · Khan Scope Centre · DeepSkyDad
📺 Recommended YouTube Channels for Beginners
Hand-picked channels used and recommended by BAS members — sorted A to Z.
A free 46-episode astronomy course covering everything from naked-eye observing to cosmology. Excellent for all ages.
Practical beginner observing guides. What to look at this week, how to star hop, and how to find objects.
Great beginner-friendly astrophotography and observing content.
Deep dives into astrophysics and cosmology for curious minds who want to go deeper.
Excellent science communication. Weekly news on space exploration and astronomy discoveries.
🌟 BAS Presentations & Learning Materials
Educational materials created by BAS members.
Stargazing 101: Coma Berenices & Its Treasures
A beginner-friendly presentation exploring the spring constellation Coma Berenices — star hopping, galaxy observing, binocular targets, and astrophotography examples. Presented at a BAS Members Meeting and Public Viewing Night.
View Presentation PDF on Education Page →More presentations will be added as they become available. BAS members who wish to contribute — please contact us.