For as long as time has been recorded, we’ve found people who look up at the night sky and tell stories. It’s one of the oldest, and most uniquely human actions we know about. Given how much nighttime light we’re exposed to on a nightly basis, one of the easiest activities has never been harder. Which is a damn shame.
Stargazing keeps you grounded. It’s not designed to entertain you. It makes you aware of how small you are in the grand scheme of the universe, but not like anything else I’ve run into. It doesn’t belittle your experiences, life, or anxieties, but gently reminds you about the vastness of the universe around you. It’s not a detox, but a resetting.
What Do I Need To Get Started?
Your eyes
Hear me out. The best way to start is just to do it, without any equipment.
In the right circumstances, you can see quite a bit with just your eyes.
There’s no commitment or waiting involved, just doing.
Binoculars
Even the cheapest pair of binoculars can substantially step up your stargazing experience.
Would strongly recommend using them on the moon and nearby planets.
Portable, so you can set up at the best spots without too much trouble (especially good if you’re hiking).
Telescope
Once you decide you’re very dedicated to stargazing, get a telescope.
I would recommend the hundred dollar range to maximize cost/benefits
Seriously, wait until you’re committed before buying.
Something to lay on
For stargazing longer than 15 minutes (which I recommend), you need a thick blanket to lay on and keep you warm.
Two blankets can leave you with a pillow too, which would be ideal.
Combine with a portable speaker for a real good time but be mindful of anyone around you. If you need a stellar playlist, here’s my mix.
Really Warm Clothes
You really want to maximize the coziness factor when stargazing, trust me.
The blanket will cover a lot, but make sure your head, hands, and toes are especially padded.
A beanie that doubles as a pillow would also be a nice touch, but that depends on your style.
Red Flashlight
If you really want to think ahead, you can get a red flashlight (for like 8 bucks on Amazon).
It allows you to keep your night vision without fumbling around in the dark when you’re moving.
Kind of limited use though, so I guess keep that in mind
How do I get started?
Step 1: Decide Your Approach
Bit of a philosophical point here. Decide how you want to star gaze. Do you want to use a app from your phone to find constellations, or would you rather maximize your night vision? Do you want to schedule it around an event, or go out with no expectations? I recommend starting by just doing it; no constellations, no events, just laying back enjoying the night sky as it is.
Step 2 - Find the Right Spot
To find the best spot, pull up a light pollution map and locate the best place nearby that has minimal light at night. Adding hiking to the experience is fun, but keep in mind that unless you’re camping, you will have to find your way back to your car in complete darkness.
Step 3: Pick the Best Time and Date
Two things you have to track: the weather and the moon. Fog, rain, and clouds are the obvious elements that can completely change how much you can see on any given night. But the moon should also be considered. Unless you’re going out to specifically stare at the moon, the best nights are the moonless ones.
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Artist Credit: BrightCoal Creative
