Preparations for a nights stargazing

In this age of the Internet, information and images of the stars, planets, nebulae, the Milky Way and other galaxies, can be found at the click of a button. However, there is nothing so inspiring, or as romantic, as seeing them for real, twinkling and shimmering overhead; to pick-out constellations, see the Milky Way flow across the sky and the occasional satellite whizz by.

If it’s your first time stargazing, there are a few things you may wish to take with you.

For instance, when the stars are visible, the lack of cloud cover causes a drop in temperature so you will have to wrap-up warm. It is also a good idea to take a flask of something hot, some sandwiches and a bar of chocolate to keep your energy up.

Some visible aids are also useful. A Planisphere is invaluable. It can seem a little tricky to use at first but with a little practice you’ll soon get the knack of it. Also useful are tables of the visible planet’s positions so you can follow them as they make their own journey across the sky. Binoculars are also very useful for viewing star clusters, the moon and even the moons of Jupiter.

Of course cloud cover is not the only obstruction to stargazing. Light pollution is also a problem. Streetlights cause a glare that can hamper your view by dulling the brightness of the stars, making the fainter stars indistinguishable. So it is best to go to the countryside were there is less streetlights or failing that a local park can provide clearer skies from light pollution. So, don’t forget to add a torch to your accessories.

So with a little preparation, a night of stargazing can be very rewarding. I’ll never forget my first clear view of the night sky, and I hope yours will be as memorable and inspiring as mine.

Happy Stargazing!

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