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Magazine > Practical tips > Spix's spotting tips
Practical tips

Spix's spotting tips

Sun, Moon and stars: here’s how to get started with astronomy, whether it is about the targets or the right equipment.

Teleskop Person Schatten Himmel Milchstrasse Hell

Lambert Spix's life-long passion is practical astronomy. He passes on the experience of countless observation nights in his books and articles, always reduced to the essentials. Whether it's observing the Sun, taking a stroll on the Moon, trips to the planets or the farthest deep sky objects: your chances of success are guaranteed with these tips!

Four in one go
Four in one go

Through binoculars or a telescope: the changing constellations of the four bright moons of Jupiter offer a spectacle that never gets boring.
The messenger of the gods passing in front of the Sun
The messenger of the gods passing in front of the Sun
A view of the Red Planet
A view of the Red Planet

Even with a 70mm telescope, you can observe structures on the surface of Mars - and the polar caps.
The silver celestial band
The silver celestial band

This destination requires a trip out into the countryside, far away from the city lights. From here, the Milky Way is a real experience.
Magnificent desolation
Magnificent desolation

No target in the sky reveals as many details as our Moon. But what exactly is there to see? We give you a brief overview in this article.
First light
First light

Is everything really so beautifully colourful? Here’s how deep sky objects such as clusters, nebulae and galaxies really look through an entry-level telescope.
The many faces of the goddess of love
The many faces of the goddess of love

Venus shines brighter than any star, but that's not all: just like the Moon, Venus has phases that you can observe.
Treats courtesy of Messier
Treats courtesy of Messier

The catalogue created by the French astronomer Charles Messier is a Who’s Who of deep sky objects. It includes the most beautiful destinations for beginners!
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings

Even a 80mm telescope will conjure up the Lord of the Rings in the eyepiece for you. No sight inspires beginners as much as Saturn can.
Make a wish
Make a wish

Shooting stars occur when particles from an orbiting comet come close to the Earth. An overview of the most beautiful meteor showers.
You see more with two
You see more with two

You don’t always need to have a telescope: observing is relaxed with two eyes, and some objects only show their true splendour through binoculars.
The Moon meets the eye of Taurus
The Moon meets the eye of Taurus
The darker, the better
The darker, the better

How to find the best possible observation site? Special maps can help you avoid light pollution.
The Moon with nothing added
The Moon with nothing added

You can discover regions of craters and mountain ranges on the Moon simply with the naked eye. You’ve surely already tried it!
Celestial navigation aids
Celestial navigation aids

Navigating the night sky is not easy when you’re starting out. But you can use these formations to make tracks through the jungle of stars!
All clear?
All clear?

No clouds in the sky - that's a good start. Why transparency matters and what seeing is all about.
Take a look!
Take a look!

Deep sky objects are often challenging. How dark skies and a few useful tips will ensure observing success.
A survival kit for amateur astronomers
A survival kit for amateur astronomers

Amateur astronomers generally observe in the open air, where it is not always cosy and warm. With this checklist you will be perfectly prepared.