<p>Astrophotography is always a good step to take after just observation. That way, you can see things through your telescope that you cannot see with the naked eye,  and also share your findings.</p>

<p>Another thing you could do is start on a different part of astronomy, maybe getting a hydrogen alpha filter or a solar telescope to observe the Sun, which again could be combined with the astrophotography.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-06T01:13:12.957Z
I just bought a solar filter after a year and a half of observing and can confirm that this is a great way to expand your possibilities. You always have something to look at/take pictures of.
Jack Moody
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-28T09:48:58.950Z
2015-06-28T09:48:58.950Z
Beta Decay
<p>I have practiced astronomy as a hobby for a while now. I have an entry-level telescope (6-inch Newtonian). In addition to observing the night sky, I have been studying physics related to optics, astronomical distance &amp; temperature measurement, gravity, etc.</p>

<p>My plan is to next get a CCD camera, and do some astrophotography. It should keep me busy the next winter. However, I feel I should try to find some kind of project where I could gradually make progress. Otherwise, after learning all the basics, and seeing everything that can be seen with the smallish telescope I have, I might gradually start to lose interest.</p>

<p>What would you recommend as the "next stage"?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-27T14:46:03.833Z
Once you've learned how to make basic measurements, it's always fun and satisfying to prove to yourself that you can actually put those measurements to good use and deduce other things. See if you can derive accurate values for a planet's basic orbital parameters. If you are particularly ambitious, you could try to verify Kepler's laws, or determine Newton's constant.
David H
<amateur-observing><fundamental-astronomy>
What to do after first year of amateur astronomy?
user7557
# What to do after first year of amateur astronomy?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-06-27)

I have practiced astronomy as a hobby for a while now. I have an entry-level telescope (6-inch Newtonian). In addition to observing the night sky, I have been studying physics related to optics, astronomical distance & temperature measurement, gravity, etc.

My plan is to next get a CCD camera, and do some astrophotography. It should keep me busy the next winter. However, I feel I should try to find some kind of project where I could gradually make progress. Otherwise, after learning all the basics, and seeing everything that can be seen with the smallish telescope I have, I might gradually start to lose interest.

What would you recommend as the "next stage"?

**Tags:** amateur-observing, fundamental-astronomy

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Once you've learned how to make basic measurements, it's always fun and satisfying to prove to yourself that you can actually put those measurements to good use and deduce other things. See if you can derive accurate values for a planet's basic orbital parameters. If you are particularly ambitious, you could try to verify Kepler's laws, or determine Newton's constant.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-06-28. Score: 1

Astrophotography is always a good step to take after just observation. That way, you can see things through your telescope that you cannot see with the naked eye, and also share your findings.

Another thing you could do is start on a different part of astronomy, maybe getting a hydrogen alpha filter or a solar telescope to observe the Sun, which again could be combined with the astrophotography.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: I just bought a solar filter after a year and a half of observing and can confirm that this is a great way to expand your possibilities. You always have something to look at/take pictures of.  

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