You may wish to become more deeply involved and observe the universe yourself. Astronomical clubs and societies can be found all over the UK and always welcome newcomers. Some will provide lectures and other even have their own observatories. They are the best place to start, as they often have very experienced amateur and sometimes professional astronomers, who can offer guidance and advice. The Federation of Astronomical Societies lists many UK societies and the website gives a great deal of very useful information. The BBC Space website also lists local clubs

Buying a good pair of binoculars is a sound investment. Please see the Eqipment section for more details on what to buy and what to avoid. You may also wish to invest in some warm clothing and a thermos flask, as astronomy field trips in the UK can get very cold. Most people live in urban or suburban areas and light pollution is a serious problem. This will provide an obsticle for observing galaxies, nebulae and other deep sky objects, but observing the Moon and Planets should still be rewarding from you back yard.

Many people often form a particular specialised interest, for some it is the Moon, others photographing Galaxies and yet others looking at variable stars. Astronomy is one of the few areas of science where amateurs can contribute. Many exciting discoveries have been made by amateur astronomers.