How to beat your age in amateur astronomy
Ageing is inevitable, and so are the aches and pains that come with it. As we get older, it becomes more difficult to spend nights observing the sky without some additional accessories to aid comfort. Standing on your feet for hours is now more tiring than it was 10 years ago. Picking up a heavy telescope is harder than it used to be. Even spending an extra hour at night is hard. It’s annoying and inconvenient but it’s not going to get any easier.
Sometimes a hobby just isn’t as accessible anymore – but there are ways around these difficulties. Your eyes have extra help due to filters and special eye pieces. Your back can have a break since astronomy chairs are widely available. These aren’t perfect solutions – but we do hope that at least one person will have an easier time watching the skies now.
If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments section below so others can see.
#1 First aid kit
No one is invincible – and we lose a lot of our perception in the dark. A tree root or dip in the ground is hard to see, and many have been taken down by smaller things. A first aid kit is the #1 must-have for everyone going to viewing sites with uneven ground, especially sites outside of urban areas.
If you take medications, make sure to pack spares into the kit in case you spend more time away from your home than you thought you would. Here is a quick guide to buying your first aid kit.
#2 Observing chair
A godsend if we ever saw one. Observing chairs are becoming much more commonplace, especially at star parties where participants can expect to be stargazing for several nights in a row. Observing chairs can be quite expensive, but they’re worth the cost since they’re an invaluable piece of equipment.
If you’re not 100% sure you want to spend $150+ on a specialised chair, a cheaper option is a drummer’s chair. This one by Gibraltar has been recommended – you can see Gibraltar’s other chairs here for more choice.
You can also DIY one! Here is an article with a few guides.
#3 Lightweight scope
Noticed how your scope just seems to get heavier every year, even though it definitely hasn’t changed in weight? Heavy scopes aren’t the best option if your neck and back are weakening – but the good news is that lightweight telescopes can be just as good as a massive one that weighs >30kg. The TeleVue-76 has been recommended by several people. Your favourite telescope brand should also have several lighter options, so make sure to check with them before buying an unfamiliar brand.
#4 Eyepiece filters
Filters serve to enhance contract, increase definition and resolution, and reduce light and glare – amongst many other benefits. Buying guides can be found here and here. The most popular filters we’ve seen so far are made by Baader.
The above brand can be quite expensive, but luckily Celestron makes a more affordable filter set.
#5 Astigmatism eyepiece
People with eyesight problems still want to look at the stars! And TeleVue has heard their please. TeleVue has made the DIOPTRX to correct vision problems. Sky & Telescope’s Dennis Di Cicco has given it a positive review.
#6 Knee pads
This is a weird one and we were surprised to read about it, but it’s a pretty brilliant idea since some kneeling is required to assemble scopes and sometimes to observe. We recommend heading to your local sports supply store and asking for their recommendation to ensure you’re getting the right product for your body’s requirements.
#7 Digital setting circles
No one’s got time (or the eyes!) for flipping through physical star maps. But that doesn’t mean you need to upgrade to a motorised telescope to find your favourite objects. You can simply get a DSC unit to mount to your existing scope and you’ll be ready to go in just a couple of minutes. You’ll want to look for something with a clear display, tactile buttons, and WiFi to interface with devices like iPads if you’d like to use larger displays.
#8 Fingerless gloves
It gets cold at night – and it can get damn cold in some places way up north or way down south. But eyepieces and focuser knobs are a bit hard to operate with regular gloves or mittens, so this is where fingerless gloves come in. You can also get a pair of fold-back gloves to ensure your entire hand stays warm.
#9 A really good thermos
To go with your gloves! A hot drink on a cold night can do wonders for the constitution, so you’ll need a thermos to keep your coffee or tea warm. Our personal favourite is the Thermos brand, which has lasted us years and has never let our drinks go cold.
#10 A jacket with zip pockets
Pockets are essential! They hold things, but sometimes those things can fall out. It’s annoying and it may cause breakages, so we recommend finding a jacket or coat with pockets that zip up. A rain jacket made by The North Face is one that all of the team at Astro Devices uses and loves.
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