If you think you’ve seen a bright meteor in the sky, or have found a rock that might be a meteorite, check out the Meteors and Meteorites<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Firstly, you should learn your way around the night sky using some of the resources listed below. Then move on to binocular viewing if you have access to a pair. Or borrow a telescope<\/a> from one of PEI’s libraries. And be sure to contact one or more of the local amateur astronomer associations listed below as they are filled with enthusiastic folks who would love to share their hobby of astronomy with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you plan on eventually buying your own telescope (or have one already), this is an important and necessary step for the amateur astronomer. You can\u2019t point a telescope at the object you want to view if you don\u2019t know how to navigate the sky (and you can\u2019t troubleshoot issues with a go-to telescope properly either).<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve probably looked at the stars and noticed a few patterns already and can probably name a few constellations. Start with those you know and then use some of the resources below to build your knowledge of the stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Printed star maps<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sky and Telescope offers free sky maps in their Getting Started in Astronomy<\/a> guide. There\u2019s a map for each month of the year plus a map of the Moon.<\/p>\n\n\n SkyMaps.com<\/a> also offers free maps that you can download each month. These maps are intended for certain hours of the evening of the given month, but they are particularly useful because: (1) they show the position of the planets in that month and (2) they include a list of viewing highlights for the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’d like to print a star map for any location at any time of day, try Heavens Above Interactive Sky Chart<\/a>. You’ll have to set your location and the date and time that you want the map for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a map that is sturdier and will work for all months of the year, you can use what’s called a star finder or planisphere. The National Research Council and RASC offer a star finder<\/a> that you can print, cut out, and glue on to sturdy paper. This star-finder allows you to turn its disc to set it to the date and time at which you\u2019re observing. (Please note that when using it during Daylight Savings Time, you\u2019ll need to subtract an hour). The video below (from Discover the Universe<\/a>) gives a good overview of how to use a star finder.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGetting Started in Astronomy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Learn your way around the night sky<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Example](\"https:\/\/projects.upei.ca\/astronomy\/files\/2014\/04\/SkyMapExample-300x232.png\")