Star Gazing for beginners

But all that dust and sand will ruin a telescope!

Croatia might be a place if you want to leave the UK
https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/best-stargazing-places-eastern-europe/

I guess if you are really keen you can travel abroad on a regular basis - pick a place on a cheap airline that has good night skies.

That article links to https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/ - a handy resource!

Maybe fly to Madrid, hire a care and drive to Caneneros National Park. https://ecobnb.com/blog/2016/08/tree-houses-europe/

UK camping ideas here
https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/camping/articles/travel/10-great-camping-spots-for-stargazing
 
A hill away from towns and roads is good. I used to use a hut in Borrowdale owned by the York Mountaineering club, and you get very little light or atmospheric pollution. It is often cloudy though. Some cloud is below you.

I have passed quite a few observatories in Switzerland. The ones by the mountain railways are most convenient as roads are scarce. The height means the atmosphere is thinner and clearer, and there are no trees or other buildings.

If you are working close to a house or other building, it will often be in your way, and there will usually be light pollution.
 
You can see peoples amazed reaction as they see the moon through an expensive telescope! How much would this type of telescope cost or what sort of budget would you need for a good quality telescope for amateur star gazing?
 
A few years ago, Mrs Mottie bought me a telescope for Christmas. Supposed to be a table top one but it was bloody big. Tried looking at stars but no joy. Joined up to a forum where I was told that no matter what telescope you have, you’ll never get a good view of a 'star' - they’re too far away. You can study the planets. I’ve seen some good views of the moon.....and then I lost interest!
 
Mottie said:
A few years ago, Mrs Mottie bought me a telescope for Christmas. Supposed to be a table top one but it was bloody big. Tried looking at stars but no joy. Joined up to a forum where I was told that no matter what telescope you have, you’ll never get a good view of a 'star' - they’re too far away. You can study the planets. I’ve seen some good views of the moon.....and then I lost interest!
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How does a modern amateur telescope compare with the telescopes of the astronomers of the "Renaissance" age of Copernicus and Galileo
 
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teaboyjim said:
I would like to do some amateur star gazing - is there anywhere that's closer to home that is well known for being a good spot?
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I live at the base of the Cambrian Mountains and this is a designated
dark sky area. It is absolutely wonderful and I often sleep outdoors. I have never seen anything like it. Not even abroad on my travels.
 
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