Many people taking Astronomy classes expect it to be about star gazing. There is a lot of physics and math involved in Astronomy. Star gazing is fun. The winter skies offer fewer celestial bodies to observe, but the skies are clearer. I am the librarian in our local astronomy club. See if there is a planetarium in your city, contact your local college or university to see if they teach classes and if there are any clubs affiliated. Astronomy is awesome, good clean fun. There are some great web sites, and anyone on AOL can sign up for celestial alerts. Light pollution does wash out the night sky! So, go outside, shield the top of your lights, look up and enjoy the awesome wonders of the universe.

Jacqueline,

We have taken up 'star-gazing' - well my bf Paul has and I've tagged along. So far it has been a great hobby and seeing saturn and the moon close up are the highlights so far. Luckily there is not much light pollution where we live so there is a lot to see. Finding our way around the sky is the most difficult part and then there are the cold nights where you need to wrap up warm. I have also been to an astronomy class but found that a bit too involved though interesting. Its a great hobby and I'd recommend it.

Hi Carol! I own a large, heavy telescope and it is fun using it, but my favorite thing to do is to go outside, get in the old lounge chair and look up. The sky is so beautiful and I envy you where you live. I will make a list of books I highly recommend, easy to follow, and websites that will really make you want to go outside and look up. I make it a point to be at our club stargazes with my telescope because no other woman in the club does this, and a lot of women come to the gazes. They need to know this is not just for men!

Good to hear from someone else who likes stargazing. There is a good MSN club for astronomy http://groups.msn.com/astronow

I love just looking at the stars too - often see a meteor. Mars is so bright too at the moment.

Carol, this is an amazing site. I am in the middle of a family astronomy project, and this is just what I need! I never get on MSN, so thanks for turning us on to this. I just love it. <img src="/images/graemlins/heart.gif" alt="" />

You're correct firefly, there is a lot of math involved with astronomy and I have to brush up on the math I know and apply it to astronomy. My wife and friends are amazed at the large numbers that are envolved with 1 Light Year and then I tell them that some stars are located at more than 1,000 light years away. Gasps of amazement are heard from everyone. If you go any further into the different types measurement it becomes a lost cause with these people.