Have you ever gazed upon the vast night sky while camping and marveled at its vastness?
Discover the wonders of space with SCIENCE author Brian Cox – often called “Carl Sagan with a Britpop haircut”- on this fascinating tour through our solar system and its many wonders.
How to Get Stargazing
Stargazing is an easy activity – all it requires is relaxing on a camp blanket and looking up into the night sky. Perhaps try and spot constellations or planets as you gaze into their bright lights! Stargazing will remind you of your own childlike wonder when gazing upon these twinkling stars as a child!
If you are truly dedicated to stargazing, consider camping in a Dark Sky area with low light pollution and clear views of the stars. In addition, Hipcamp (a site which helps reserve private lands for camping) features an event and club locator which may prove invaluable for information.
Be mindful of the moon phase. Stargazing at new moon can give you more visibility of stars.
Astronomy Equipment
If you’re serious about astronomy and camping, investing in dedicated equipment will allow you to truly appreciate the nighttime experience and open up more doors than your eyes alone can. Experience its magic more fully than ever!
Consider investing in a telescope mount equipped with setting circles for celestial coordinates; this will enable you to easily and precisely locate Deep Sky Objects in the sky.
If you plan on observing for extended periods, a comfortable observing chair or gardener’s kneepads are an absolute necessity. Also essential: insect repellent. In summer nights of astronomy a swarm of mosquitoes can ruin an otherwise enjoyable night of observation, so bring some spray or electronic device that will repel them away from you – including electronic mosquito traps!
Nighttime Conditions
Astronomy camping offers an unforgettable experience that combines celestial observation with camping sites that are less-than-light polluted. Astronomical twilight (around an hour after sunset when skies become almost dark enough to see stars and constellations) is the optimal time for stargazing.
Under ideal conditions, the night sky becomes an extraordinary mystery. Find an area without moonlight and clear weather; use telescope or binoculars to identify our universe’s many constellations; every season brings with it new constellations as well as annual events like meteor showers.
Craters of the Moon International Dark Sky Discovery Park in Idaho is an unforgettable dark-sky destination, providing mesmerizing views of an otherworldly lava landscape resembling that found on Mars’ surface. Additionally, its peaceful surroundings enable visitors to easily spot the Milky Way, an incredible celestial river of stars visible only during extremely dark nights away from urban environments.
Astronomy Tips
Are You an Astronomy Camper, or New to Dark Sky Camping? – Some helpful astronomy tips could make your camping trip even more satisfying and memorable, whether you are experienced or new to dark sky camping, such as Geminids meteor shower. When photographing night sky images you should have the appropriate equipment, whether amateur photographer or experienced pro.
Your stargazing trip requires accessories to keep warm and comfortable; such as insulated gloves and heat wraps. A reversible blanket, with both silver reflective sides and dark absorptive ones could also come in handy for keeping warm while gazing upon the stars.
Make sure that you set aside enough time and energy to select an excellent stargazing camping destination, one that offers clear skies with minimal light pollution. The International Dark Sky Association website offers a tool which displays color coded maps of light pollution overlaid on Google Maps for assistance.https://www.youtube.com/embed/cOw-I7DK2n0