Amateur astronomy

Amateur astronomers watch the night sky during the Perseid meteor shower.

Amateur astronomy is a hobby where people look at or photograph objects in the sky using their eyes, binoculars, or telescopes.

They can look at the sky at nighttime and at daytime. Amateurs can join as members of amateur astronomical societies. These societies advise, educate and guide their members. They promote the science of astronomy among the general public.

Amateur Astronomy Media

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  Amateur astronomer recording observations of the sun.

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  Places like Paranal Observatory offer crystal clear skies for observing astronomical objects with or without instruments.

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  An image of the Cat's Paw Nebula created combining the work of professional and amateur astronomers. The image is the combination of the 2.2-metre MPG/ESO telescope of the La Silla Observatory in Chile and a 0.4-meter amateur telescope.

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  Amateur astronomy groups are often involved in outreach to introduce astronomy to the general public

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  Sir Patrick Moore was one of the world's leading popularisers of astronomy.