Amateur astronomy to be precise - Some professionals get really uptight on this little difference. But really, it's basically astronomy, but you don't have a phd in the field, you don't do it for a living, and you know a lot less about a lot more, rather than a lot more about a lot less.

A side effect of the hobby is also that you'll know a lot about what nightly creatures you have around the place you live, and usually get to know them up close and personal.

If you do have a spouse, they will not see you on clear, moonless nights.

Also, "a night out" is still a very appealing concept, but for some reason, no one else shows up for them!

You should also be prepared for any number of interventions by colleagues and family since they will think your zombie like behaviour the day after an observation is a sign of drug abuse, or worse. This fear will not be tamed during full moon, or a spell of cloudy nights, when your bad mood and ill temper can cause similar suspicions.

One may simply gaze upon the stars at no cost or more tools than the look of the eye.

Visual astronomy has been the inspiration of human kind for as long as we have existed.

For astrophotography, the tools, the skills and the discipline is of a different nature.