July 30, 2012 12:00 PM
Binoculars don't just bring birds into focus?they're a cheap, portable tool for zooming in on the night sky too. The handheld lenses let you examine a wide field of view, right side up and with both eyes, unlike most backyard telescopes. Robin Scagell, co-author of Stargazing With Binoculars, advises setting up shop a mile from well-lit areas. "Avoid looking at bright lights before you go out," he says. "And give yourself 20 minutes to let your eyes adapt to the darkness."
Start by checking out craters in the nearly full moon, which in the U.S. will be in the southeastern portion of the night sky in early August. Then look for Mars and Saturn hugging the horizon to the southwest. Pick up the trail of the Milky Way arcing overhead, and follow it to features such as the Butterfly Cluster and Eagle Nebula. To spot fainter objects, such as the Andromeda Galaxy, wait until the moon wanes. Scagell also suggests relying on more sensitive peripheral vision: Gaze to the side rather than directly at where an object is located. As midnight approaches on Aug. 11 and 12, set down the binoculars and face south to take in the fast bright streaks of the Perseids meteor shower.
Guide: What To Take
STAR CHART Choose a printed map or an app with a red-light mode, such as GoSkyWatch.
BINOCULARS AND MONOPOD Use 10x50 binoculars or, to hunt for less luminous objects, 15x70. To support and swivel them during sustained stargazing, a monopod is helpful.
BUG SPRAY Nothing spoils a great night of observation faster than mosquitoes.
LAYERS It may be summer, but nighttime temps and dewy grass chill.
FLASHLIGHT Red light only: It preserves night vision. (White light from a cellphone kills it.)
CAMP CHAIR Avoid neck strain by leaning back in an adjustable camp chair.
pawn stars restrepo nba news nba news florida gators texas high school football fugazi
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.