The Astronomy 101 program is a resource for learning the basics of astronomy and star-gazing. We cover a wide range of topics in various formats. Our most popular resource is the introductory talk that precedes each In-Town Star Party and is additionally also offered online. This consists of an hour-long presentation, usually geared towards how and what to observe in the night sky. Questions and other audience participation is encouraged before, during, and after these talks. We also hold a bimonthly (every two months) online question-and-answer session, the Astronomy Beginners’ Forum, where we spend about an hour answering whatever astronomy-related questions participants come with. For more information about attending these, and other, programs, check our meetup page.
On Meetup, look for:
- Astro 101: Intro to Observing The Night Sky (Astronomy Close to Home)
- Astro 101: Know Your Cosmic Neighborhood
- Astro 101: Sights of The Cosmos (Stuff In Space: What We See And How We See It)
- Astro 101: Moons of The Solar System (Planets Are For Snobs)
- Astro 101: Exploring Nebulae
- Astro 101: Exploring Galaxies
- Astro 101: Astro Science Tidbits 1: Gravity, Rockets, Rogues and Aliens
- Astro 101: Celestial Tales (History and Mythology of the Night Sky)
- Astro 101: Sky Tour and Tutorials (Stellarium Planetarium Software In Action)
- Astro 101: All About Binoculars
- Astro 101: Telescope Seminar (half-day seminar held twice a year)
- Astro 101: Telescope Primer (greatly shortened version of the telescope seminar)
- Astro 101: Intro to Astrophotography
- Astronomy Beginner’s Forum
Current and planned future topics covered by this program include:
- How to find objects in the night sky
- Basic science of light, orbits, gravity, and other relevant physical phenomena
- Different forms of observation, including photography and spectroscopy
- How to read astronomical forecasts
- DIY Astronomy projects
We also have a growing library of Astro 101 video content on the SJAA YouTube channel.
Reference Material
Many of us amateur astronomers find great values in the plethora of astro-related resources available online, such as: intro-to-astronomy presentations, sky maps and planetarium software, telescope guides, and various science entertainment media. Some of these resources are described in further detail below.
Sky Maps and Planetarium Software
Use these resources to help you navigate the night sky.
- SkyMaps
- A free, monthly, downloadable, and printable map of the month’s night sky. The map highlights interesting sights for the month, and how to observe them.
- Stellarium
- A free, downloadable planetarium app for your computer, that’s also available via the web. Search and explore the cosmos as they would appear from any location on Earth, and even connect and control your telescope from this app. A mobile version for iPhone or Android is also available. All versions of Stellarium are free to use, and some include additional paid content.
- Sky Safari
- A paid app for your computer or phone that lets you view the night sky as it appears from any location on Earth at any time. Useful for planning observations, and includes a database of historical information to accompany many targets. Similar to Stellarium and other planetarium apps. Also includes telescope control.
Telescopes
- External Resources
- These links are intended as starting points for your own research. SJAA is not affiliated with any of these sources, does not guarantee the completeness and correctness of the information, and is not endorsing any particular product or vendor.
- Telescope buying guides:
- https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/a-holiday-telescope-buying-guide
- https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/so-you-wanna-buy-a-telescope-for-the-holidays-heres-what-you-should-do
- https://skepchick.org/2019/11/noisyastronomers-holiday-telescope-buying-guide/
- https://starlust.org/how-to-buy-a-telescope/
- https://optcorp.com/blogs/telescopes-101/telescope-buying-guide
- Solar-astronomy specific items:
- Observing the Sun in white light vs hydrogen alpha:
https://astronomyhubs.com/observing/astrophotography/observing-the-sun-in-white-light-vs-hydrogen-alpha/ - An Explanation of the Steps to Buying a Solar Telescope:
https://luntsolarsystems.com/an-explanation-of-the-steps-to-buying-a-solar-telescope/
- Observing the Sun in white light vs hydrogen alpha:
- SJAA Telescope Primer / Telescope Workshop
- Workshop May 18, 2025:
- Primer, March 7, 2025
- All About Binoculars (PDF)
- Brief presentation about different types of binoculars and their features
- Telescope Cheat Sheet (PDF)
- A one-page, printable “cheat sheet” describing the basics of telescope vocabulary, equations, and uses.
Podcasts, Videos, and Science Entertainment
This informational and educational content is a fun way to continue learning about space and science.
- Crash Course Astronomy
- A free YouTube series that covers the basics of many astronomy concepts.
- Astronomy Cast
- A free astronomy podcast hosted by Dr. Pamela Gay
- StarDate
- A daily radio show and magazine produced by the University of Texas McDonald Observatory, covering a new cosmic concept every day. Audio content is free.
- Star Talk
- Free audio and video content hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Experts and comedians discuss cutting edge astrophysics in an accessible and fun way.
- Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD)
- A NASA-curated collection of astronomy pictures from amateurs and professionals.
