A Beginner’s Guide to Skywatching (Without a Telescope)

Look up. No really, just for a second.

That endless stretch above you? That’s the same sky our ancestors looked up at.

You don’t need a telescope. No pressure to know your Ursa Major from your Orion’s Belt.

Just you, the sky, and a willingness to notice!

So, what is skywatching?

It’s exactly what it sounds like. Watching the sky. But with intention.

You’re not just glancing out the car window or checking the weather.

You’re choosing to pause… and connect.

It’s part astronomy, part meditation, part cosmic therapy.

And once you start, you might never stop noticing how alive the sky feels.

Step One: Get Away From the Lights

If you're in a city, you’ll know the struggle.

Streetlights, neon signs, and the ever-glowing haze of the urban sky can drown out the stars.

But don’t worry – you don’t need to drive hours into the wilderness.

Even finding a local park, a field, or your own back garden (if you’re lucky enough to have one) can make a difference.

But if you head out during a New Moon, that's even better. That’s when the moon isn’t visible – meaning darker skies and more starglow for you!

Check the forecast too – apps like Clear Outside or Star Walk can give you a heads-up on visibility.

What to Bring

• A blanket or something soft to lie on
• A flask of something warm
• Layers – it always gets colder than you expect
• A notebook, if you like to write things down
• A stargazing app, if you’re curious (but optional – your eyes are enough)

And maybe a friend. But honestly, some of the best sky watching moments happen solo.

Start With the Moon

The moon is an easy, rewarding place to begin.

It’s bright, visible, and changes every few days!

Watch how it shifts through moon phases – new, waxing, full, waning.

Full moons are especially atmospheric. As mentioned earlier, new moons are best for spotting stars as the sky will be significantly darker.

Then, Try Spotting a Constellation

You don’t have to memorise the sky. Just try to find one or two patterns.

The Plough (part of Ursa Major) is visible year-round in the northern hemisphere and easy to recognise.

Orion is another good one to spot in winter months – the three stars in his belt are a clear starting point.

Use an app if you want a bit of guidance. But also, don’t be afraid to just… guess. This isn’t a test.

And if you want to spot more constellations, check out our easily recognisable constellations blog.

Look for Movement

It’s not just stars up there.

There are satellites, meteors, planets… and yes, the occasional unexplainable thing. 👀

If you see something zoom across the sky and vanish – that’s a meteor.

If it glides smoothly and doesn’t blink, probably a satellite.

If it’s a bright, non-twinkling dot? That could be a planet.

But sometimes, it’s none of those. And that’s where the fun begins. (We’re not saying aliens… but we’re also not not saying it.)

Watch the Weather

Not every night will be clear. Some will be overcast, hazy, or just plain uneventful.

That’s part of the experience.

Skywatching invites you to slow down and accept whatever the sky has to offer – even if it’s nothing!

A cloudy night is still a chance to breathe deeply and be outside.

No Pressure, Just Presence

Remember, there’s no right way to sky watch.

You’re not ticking off constellations.

You’re reconnecting – with the universe, the present moment, and maybe even yourself.

It’s not about knowing. It’s about noticing.

So look up. Breathe out.

The sky is waiting!