What do WWII battles, ballistic missiles, and the deadly brown tree snake have in common?
Perhaps not surprisingly, the success of your stargazing depends on the Moon and which phase it's in. It's best to check where the Moon is before you head out.
If you are not doing your stargazing at home but instead venturing out, try to choose a location with the minimum light pollution possible, i.e. few surrounding buildings and street lights.
Stargazing is always most rewarding when done just before a Full Moon. With this in mind, why not turn your stargazing trips into a monthly endeavor?
One of the biggest enemies of the stargazer is light pollution. If you are doing your stargazing from home, be sure to turn off all the lights to get the best view possible.
If you do your stargazing at different times of the year as well as at different times of night, you may well be able to spot seasonal constellations.
Whether you are a beginner or not, you may like to download an app to help you identify exactly which stars you are looking at. There are a number of apps out there to choose from.
Stars move around a lot and the starry night sky is constantly changing. For the most rewarding experience, try to practice your stargazing at varying times of night.
As with the blanket, it is important to dress appropriately if you are going to stargaze outside. Even if it's summer time, the nights can get cold, so wrap up warm!
It's important not to forget the practical matters. If you plan to stargaze outside and you'll be sitting down, don't forget to take something with you to sit on.
Why not try downloading something like Star Walk or Google Sky? Even if you are not glued to your smartphone normally, you may be surprised by what you can learn.
It is also a good idea to take plenty of food and drinks to keep everyone happy while you wait. If you go during winter, you might want to invest in a thermos to keep your drinks warm.
It doesn't even have to be space-related. There is something awe-inspiring about the night sky, so any group of songs that inspire you should do the trick.
If you are uncomfortable while you stargaze, you probably won't stay out as long and you might miss stuff! So be sure to pack your blanket or your camping mat and be prepared.
You may decide that your stargazing experience speaks for itself, but in the event that you want to document your discoveries, be sure to take your camera with you.
To feel like a real explorer, you might like to invest in a compass too. Use your compass along with the guide to find specific constellations.
If you are not a fan of technology but are still looking for a way to find out more about the stars you are looking at, why not opt for a star spotter guide? There are plenty out there.
As mentioned earlier, it is important to choose a stargazing location that is affected by little light pollution. However, there are other considerations when it comes to choosing a site.
You may not even want to document the stars or the sky itself, but you won't want to miss the looks on the faces of your friends and family as they explore the night sky.
If you choose to go stargazing on your own, it's a nice idea to create a playlist to accompany your experience. Why not put together a playlist of space-related songs?
This so-called 'dark adaptation' normally takes around 30 minutes, and you'll be amazed how much more you can see after that time. Try not to look at your phone while you wait, as this will disrupt the process.
When you go stargazing, you probably are hoping to see stars. But it is worth remembering that you can spot other wonders, such as planets and meteors, too.
Although trees can look amazing under the starry night sky, you probably want to maximize the amount of sky you can see. Try to choose somewhere with few obstructions, like a field.
Have you ever noticed how it sometimes takes a while before you can really see the stars? This is because your eyes take time to adjust and become effective in the dark.
If you are patient with your stargazing, you will eventually see a meteor or a shooting star. These are basically grains of space dust that are burning up in the atmosphere.
The best way to recognize a planet is to remember that stars twinkle and planets don't. If you think you see a star but it doesn't twinkle, it's probably because it's a planet.
Stargazing is not only a great hobby for adults—kids can definitely enjoy it, too. Why not have your kids wrap up, grab the telescope, and make your stargazing trip a family event?
If you have a child who has expressed a particular interest in astronomy, you may want to think about getting them their first telescope.
As with anything, there is no point waiting around! You don't need to spend much money or effort to stargaze, so why not give it a go tonight?
If you see something that looks like a shooting star but it is faint and moves more slowly, you're probably looking at a satellite. Earth's biggest satellite is the International Space Station.
All you need is a location with a good view of the sky and few surrounding lights, and you'll be set for a great evening full of learning and discovery.
Sources: (National Trust) (Sky at Night)
See also: Celebs who plan to travel to space - and bought a ticket!
One of the great things about stargazing is that anyone can do it. You don't need an expensive telescope or any fancy equipment—just your eyes and the night sky. That said, there are some things to bear in mind if you want to make your stargazing as wondrous as possible.
Check out this gallery for some top tips on how to get the most out of your stargazing.
Top tips to get the most out of your stargazing
Have the most dazzling experience possible
LIFESTYLE Astronomy
One of the great things about stargazing is that anyone can do it. You don't need an expensive telescope or any fancy equipment—just your eyes and the night sky. That said, there are some things to bear in mind if you want to make your stargazing as wondrous as possible.
Check out this gallery for some top tips on how to get the most out of your stargazing.