Guide to the Night Sky

Guide to the night sky

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Guide To The Night Sky

There are at least 200 billion stars that exist in the Milky Way galaxy, which also contains our Solar System (Astronomy Trek). Fortunately, a person can get to see as many as half a million stars with only a pair of binoculars under a night sky (Astronomy Trek). The night sky is among the few things people can see from Earth for free. It provides perspective, inspiration and knowledge. Moreover, without the natural sky night we could not have learned about celestial bodies such as stars or planets, walked on the moon or navigated the globe. It is also a common and universal heritage that all human beings share. Many people would be surprised to know that certain conditions exist in order to watch the night sky.

Before starting to view the night sky, you need to watch the weather reports to make sure there aren't any storms coming soon. Then, look for a very dark place far away from the city lights. As well, look for a clear sky, which will give you ample opportunities of stargazing. Unfortunately, the coldest nights between -20F and 45F degrees are often the best temperatures for this activity; this is because the air is least turbulent and hazy. Unless, your target is the moon, try to avoid nights when it is full; therefore, the moon’s brightness can drown fainter celestial bodies.

Now that you already know a little bit about the perfect weather conditions to be able to gaze the night sky, begin packing your gear. In your gear you will need as much clothing, blankets, food and warm drinks as possible to stay comfortable throughout the night. Additionally, you will need a star chart, they are usually found in astronomy magazine like Sky and Telescope and come designed for northern or southern hemisphere; or a specialized mobile app, like Sky Week or Star Chart; this will help you to get more familiarized with your city’s sky to easily spot stars, planets, and galaxies, among others. Next, you will also need a binoculars and a lawn chair. The lawn chair will help keep your neck from aching as you look up, and the binoculars will help you to amplify distant objects. For general viewing a 7x50 binocular is a good place to start; the first number is the magnifying power, and the second is the diameter of the front lenses. As a result of being aware of the equipment that you need, your possibilities of viewing a night sky will increase and you will also feel more comfortable.

Now that you have everything that you need for this night sky adventure, you need to find the perfect spot. This spot must be away from the city lights because their glow can obscure fainter objects, and a clear sky. Once you do, don’t forget to give your eyes some time to adjust to the dark; it can take as long as an hour for your pupils to widen