🔭 No telescope? No problem.
Space is huge. My knowledge is not. But hey—we all start somewhere. You don’t need fancy gear (or a physics degree) to fall in love with the night sky. I’m starting from scratch, and this blog is my guidebook-in-progress for fellow curious minds who want to explore the cosmos—without spiraling into an existential crisis. Probably.

Jupiter, Joy, and New Eyes on the Night Sky

Dobsonian telescope glowing under red light at a star party, photographed from an angle showing the full setup

I almost skipped this one. I’d been running on fumes all week, chasing too many projects. My plan to sleep in? Foiled by the neighbor’s lawn service. I kind of hoped the clouds would roll in and give me a guilt-free out. But no. The sky was crystal clear. At least I remembered the mosquito … Read more

Auroras, the Sun, and a Firehose of Science: What I Learned at Astronomy Club

A vivid aurora borealis arches across the night sky over Bear Lake, Alaska, reflected in still water

At our latest astronomy club meeting, Dr. Robin Metcalfe treated us to a fascinating presentation on the science behind auroras. Dr. Metcalfe directs the Division of Natural Sciences at York University in Canada. Her talk, titled “Astrosleuthing an Aurora,” blended stunning visuals, cultural insight, and a deep dive into the science of these mysterious lights. … Read more

May Meeting Recap: Science Overload & Bathroom Destiny

Confused man shrugging under northern lights with question marks above his head

This month’s meeting was held in a completely different location—the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, provided by a couple of club members. I wasn’t expecting the dirt road, but yes, I was in the right place. The building had a rustic charm, with a spacious meeting room, exposed ceilings, and a brick façade along the … Read more

What Is Astronomy Day? (And How I Almost Missed It)

A black telescope pointed at a starry night sky, capturing the essence of stargazing on Astronomy Day.

Surprise! It’s International Astronomy Day — and I almost missed it. Somehow this cosmic celebration snuck up on me, which feels a little ironic given that I just launched a site called Novice Astronomer. I only found out thanks to a quick scroll through my club’s Facebook page. As someone passionate about helping fellow beginners … Read more