Messier Tips
Join an Astronomy Club. Attend a Star Party
One of the best ways to increase your knowledge of astronomy
is to join an astronomy club. Check your local newspaper, school,
library, or telescope dealer/store to find out if there’s a club in your area.
At club meetings, you will meet other astronomy and Meade enthusiasts with
whom you will be able to share your discoveries. Clubs are an excellent way
to learn more about observing the sky, to find out where the best observing
sites are, and to compare notes about telescopes, eyepieces, filters, tripods,
and so forth.
Often, club members are excellent astrophotographers. Not only will you be
able to see examples of their art, but you may even be able to pick up some
“tricks of the trade” to try out on your Messier-Series telescope. Many groups
also hold regularly scheduled Star Parties at which you can check out and
observe with many different telescopes and other pieces of astronomical
equipment.