Due to the need for minimal light pollution and a clear night sky, stargazing trips often entail traveling to a remote location miles away from a town or city.
It’s essential to pack the right items to make the most of your adventure.
In this article, we discuss seven items to make the most of your next stargazing trip.
Telescope
If you’re serious about stargazing and you’re looking to identify distant stars and planets you should take a telescope with you on your stargazing trip.
Telescopes use mirrors or lenses to help us to look at distant celestial objects.
The larger the mirror, the more light you can gather, making it easier to see distant and fainter objects.
Telescopes come in many different sizes of varying quality. The Moon and planets such as Jupiter and Saturn are visible using smaller telescopes. To see more distant celestial objects, such as galaxies and distant stars, you will need a telescope with a larger mirror.
Binoculars
If you’re not ready to take the plunge and order a telescope, a pair of binoculars will do the job!
Beginning stargazers often find that a pair of binoculars can give them the light experience they’re looking for. Binoculars have sufficient magnification to offer great views of the stars and other celestial objects.
Astrology Guide or Stargazing App
If you’re an amateur astrologist or new to stargazing, we suggest that you download an app or take a guide to the night sky with you.
We recommend downloading an app to your mobile device as it will guide you on what stars you can see from your current location. Alternatively, there are hundreds of stargazing guides to point you in the right direction of your favorite star constellation.
Red Torch/Flashlight
A red torch is an essential piece of equipment for any stargazing trip.
A red flashlight torch won’t ruin your night vision but will help you to see your equipment in the dark.
Warm Drinks & Food
You could be outside stargazing for a while, so it’s important to fuel your adventure with the right food and drink.
Why not take a flask of warm tea or coffee in the winter months? If you’re hiking to your location, we recommend taking food such as cereal bars, nuts, and fruit as an energy source for your trip.
Don’t forget, if you’re camping, you might want to take a beer (or two!) with you.
A Camera To Capture The Moment
The are two reasons to take a camera on your stargazing trip.
The first is to capture pictures of the night sky. Taking photos of celestial bodies is a skill in itself. With the right camera equipment and a clear night sky, you can take a picture of the stars!
And don’t worry, if you forgot your camera you can order a personalised star map to capture your special moment.
The second reason to take a camera with you is to capture your friends and family on your stargazing trip.
A Chair & Camping Equipment
Most of the best stargazing spots are located away from the light pollution of towns and cities. It’s fairly common for people to camp to make the most of their trip.
When spending the night outside in the wilderness, it’s essential to pack the correct camping equipment for your adventure. Ensure you’ve packed a tent and a sleeping bag as a bare minimum.
Even if you’re not planning the spend the entire night stargazing we recommend taking a camping chair for comfort!
Warm Clothes & Blankets
When you’re planning your stargazing trip, it’s essential to pack warm clothing and blankets (especially in the autumn and winter!). There’s nothing worse than failing to wrap up warm.
Taking a blanket with you also allows you to lie down comfortably and admire the amazing night sky above you.
Essential Items To Take Stargazing
When packing for a stargazing trip, it’s essential to take crucial items such as a telescope/binoculars and an astrology guide/app to enable you to see your favorite celestial bodies.
Another factor that’s often overlooked is comfort. For your trip to be enjoyable, you need to remember to pack comfortable clothing and bring warm food and drink.
Hopefully, you found this article useful and informative and you know what to pack for your next stargazing trip.
Order your personal star map today and capture your special moment forever.
