Often hobbies develop with just that bit of curiosity, and fortunately, many are such that it needs precious little to get started. When you spot that delightful bird in your backyard which you may not have noticed earlier, you are eager to learn more and soon find that bird-watching can be an interesting activity. Similarly, almost all of us watch the moon and stars in the sky, but perhaps too cursorily. The night sky is just so many twinkling stars and little else to many of us. But with a little persistence and a guide book, star gazing can become a fulfilling pastime.

Of course for the city-dwellers, the opulently-lit night offers few possibilities, but when you go out of the city, to some countryside or a farm house over the weekend, you must take in the night sky. Away from throbbing lights, the night sky puts up a star-studded show which has to be seen. Initially, the sky seems like a crowded canvas of dots, too closely clustered for comfort and you may actually wonder what star gazing is all about, after all. It is not simply lying down on the grass and looking at them, but then again, it is that too.

Tools of the trade

You may associate star gazing with telescope, but you'll need that only when you graduate deeper into the hobby. The naked eye is enough to spot stars. A powerful flashlight would be a good aid to begin with. You may need to flash it to describe a pattern, especially if you are communicating with someone else. Armed with this, all you need to get started is a guide book or star charts to help identify constellations and planets. If you are into bird-watching and possess a good pair of binoculars, that should serve the purpose for star gazing, too.

Star charts and guide book

The star charts are nothing but sky maps that locate stars. For all practical purposes, the stars are in fixed positions in relation to one another, hence they can be mapped. Astronomers have grouped stars into constellations and these patterns are documented. The most familiar constellation, which many of us know from our school textbook, is the Great Bear or the Ursa Major. When you join the seven stars to form a ladle in the sky, you get this constellation, which is also called the Big Dipper. Having located the constellation, the star chart will further guide you on how to locate the Polaris or the Pole star in the North with the help of the two stars in this constellation.

Locating constellations

So you see you just need a landmark to begin with. Therefore, look for the brightest and the biggest stars, figure out which constellation they belong to and soon you'll find patterns emerging in the night sky. In bird-watching you look for the characteristics of birds and with the help of a guide book try and identify them. Soon, over a period of time, you graduate into their nesting behaviour and habitats. Similarly, in star gazing, initially you should learn to identify constellations and planets, and over a period of time, you'll find how stars change their positions with seasons, and much more.

Soon Orion - the hunter with his belt, Big Dog of Canis Major, Leo with its mane and Little Bear constellations will appear like so many friendly friends in the sky! Just as interest begets interest, soon you will be tripping over yourself trying to find more and learn more.