Sitting under the night sky and looking up at thousands of stars is one of the most memorable experiences you can have in your life. The feeling you get when you watch a shooting star fly across the sky or look at planets shining amongst thousands of twinkling stars is indescribable. Stargazing isn’t as simple as going into your backyard and looking up at the sky, it takes a bit of planning to catch the perfect night sky. However, it can be quite straightforward and with these 8 tips for beginners, you can simply grab your binoculars, head to a dark spot, and look up at the sky.
Tip #1: Proper Equipment
You’ll need some equipment in order to properly see the night sky. Although you can watch the night sky with your naked eye, it will be a much more spectacular experience if you have some equipment handy. Grab a pair of binoculars for your star gazing expedition. These don’t have to be expensive; they can be about $20, and you’ll have the chance to see loads of stars. Make sure they’re antifog and antiglare so you’re not dealing with any annoyances during your stargazing! You can even invest in a telescope and a camera if you have the funds, but if you’re just starting out, then binoculars will be just fine!
Tip #2: Download an App
There are loads of apps out there that will tell you which constellations are in the sky and where! All you have to do is simply hold up your phone to the night sky and it will tell you exactly what you’re looking at. This is a great way to learn about the night sky instead of just simply staring up at it. Apps like Star Walk and Star Guide are two good apps to go stargazing with. You should also keep an eye on the weather and cloud coverage. Apps like Windy tell you the cloud coverage every hour. If you notice that it’s going to be a cloudy night, then you’re better off waiting to go star gazing until you have a clear night sky.
Tip #3: Bring Blankets
Make sure you bring plenty of blankets with you to keep yourself warm from the cold! You should also bring chairs so you can comfortably sit. If you’re stargazing in the wintertime, temperatures can plummet to below freezing, so make sure you’re prepared with enough warm blankets and clothing so you’re not going home early! Bringing things like gloves, socks, and hats are also a good idea in case it’s very cold. It can even get chilly in the evening during the summer months, so make sure you’re prepared even if it’s hot during the daytime. This is especially true if you’re somewhere in the desert, where it gets cold at night.
Tip #4: Bring Bugspray
You don’t want to get eaten alive by mosquitos! Since mosquitos are more active during the nighttime, you’ll have more of a chance of getting bitten. Make sure you bring some bugspray with you to prevent those pesky pests from biting you! This is especially true in states that tend to be more humid during the summer months.
Tip #5: Bring Snacks and Water
Snacks and water are also a good idea to bring in case you’re outside for several hours. You won’t want to get dehydrated or hungry while you’re far away in the wild looking at the stars! Pack more than enough food for yourself and whoever else is with you. Having snacks like nuts, fruit, and cereal bars are easy to carry around with you and easy to break open and eat on the go. Don’t worry about bringing any cookware or big meals with you, since you’ll want to go stargazing late at night when the sky is dark and there are smaller chances of light pollution.
Tip #6: Head to a Dark Place
There are tons of national parks in the USA that are great for stargazing. These places are away from any light pollution, so you won’t have any disruptions when you’re looking at the sky. Light pollution can really affect your star gazing experience, since it masks any stars that otherwise would have been visible. There are various national parks in the USA that have been certified as a Dark Sky park, such as Capitol Reef National Park and Cherry Springs State Park.
Tip #7: Go Higher
If you can, it’s better to go stargazing at mid-altitude. If you can find an elevated plateau or even an observatory that’s high up in the sky, you’ll have a much better chance of seeing thousands of stars with little to no disruptions. For example, you can sit on top of a plateau to go stargazing at Cherry Springs National Park in Pennsylvania. You can also go stargazing on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the world’s largest observatory at 14,000 feet.
Tip #8: Keep an Eye Out!
Put away any distractions and keep your focus on the night sky. This is when you’ll have the best chance of seeing shooting stars, planets, and watching the Milky Way come to life. You won’t want to be staring at your phone when you could have watched a meteor glide across the night sky!
Stargazing is one of the best things you can do with your friends and family. As long as you’re prepared, you’ll have a good chance of seeing thousands of stars and might even get to see natural phenomena like meteors and the Northern Lights, depending on where you’re located in the world. With the proper viewing equipment, phone apps, blankets, bugspray, snacks, water, dark area, altitude, and focus, you’ll be a stargazing pro in no time! If you’re out camping in the wild, you can make this a nightly adventure, so your chances increase every night of seeing something spectacular. Grab your gear, your binoculars, and your snacks, and head into the wild to see some of the most spectacular shows that nature can give us!
