Having the right stargazing gear makes navigating the night sky a cinch.
Here are seven of the top stargazing spots in South Africa.
1. Read and research
Read up on the night sky before stargazing, but go at your own pace – it’s not called the infinite universe for nothing. The Astronomical Handbook for Southern Africa is an informative companion to the night skies that helps decipher space-speak and lists unusual sightings for 2014 to plan a trip around.
There are also many good websites: www.skymaps.com, www.planetarium.co.za and www.iziko.org.za/museums/planetarium are updated regularly. Use these to find current constellations, planetary movements and download free sky maps.
R100 from major bookstores and Kalahari.com
TIP
Take a family outing to a planetarium. Both the Johannesburg (011-717-1390) and Cape Town (021-481-3900) planetariums have weekly shows for kids and adults.
Find more great sky guides tested by Getaway Magazine here.
2. Get a red light
The best stargazing spots are isolated and dark, but you still need light to function.
Red light doesn’t destroy night vision so use Joby Gorillatorch Switchback for reading star maps and you’ll see more stars. Both a lantern and headlamp, this torch features a flexible tripod stand so you can strap it to anything and has a standard white-light to pack up afterwards.
R650, Mobile Gadgets
TIP
Create your own night vision light by attaching red cellophane to your torch with an elastic band.
3. Orientate yourself
Use a sky map to find stars, planets and constellations, but first orientate yourself to check you’re looking at the right objects.
Find north with an old fashioned compass like the Scout Compass from Cape Union Mart to accurately position the star map. Place the compass on the map and line up true north with the bearings of the sky map. Once aligned with the current night sky, you can start stargazing.
R120, Cape Union Mart
TIP
Of the many stargazing apps, the user-friendly Sky Map app (free for android and iOS devices) outlines constellations, stars, planets and galaxies to help you navigate the sky. Use it to search for objects you’re battling to find.
4. Look up
Once your stargazing station is ready, you can look up. Start with the unaided eye to get to know the night sky by tracing constellations, identifying bright stars and spotting planets.
Use binoculars for a closer look at moon craters (the most rewarding view), the two Magellanic clouds and planets – they are cheaper than telescopes and provide a wider field of view. The Nikon 12×42 Monarch 5 binoculars have 12X magnification, are waterproof, impressively sharp and light for their size.
R4 699, Nikon
5. Go pro
Test a telescope before buying and when its time to invest, don’t skimp.
The award-winning 85mm Zeiss DiaScope is an enchanting piece of equipment with a magnification of up to 75 times. You can clearly see the rings of Saturn at night or observe birds and animals during the day. It’s easy to travel with when packed into the specially designed LowePro backpack and can go on an airplane without issue.
Observing the night sky takes patience and using the DiaScope to its full potential involves practice, but it’s rewarding once you get the hang of it.
DiaScope 85 T* FL Angled Viewing Spotting Scope with Ocular D 15-45/20-60x variable magnification costs R41 931. Carbon tripod costs R8#150 and LowePro backpack costs R2 100 from Zeiss.
TIP
Try different telescopes at your local astronomy club.
- The Kroonstad Astronomy Club meets once a month. Contact Barry Fourie (082-443-3246 or 056-212-2535)
- The University of Cape Town Astronomy Club meets every second Tuesday. ([email protected] or UCT Astronomy Club on Facebook)
- Join the Friends of Boyden organisation in Bloemfontein. Contact Braam van Zyl (051-436-7555, www.assabfn.co.za/friendsofboyden)
- The Port Elizabeth People’s Observatory Society meets every two months. (041-363-9040)
- The Soutpansberg Astronomy Club meets just outside Makhado. Contact Kos Coronaios (015-516-3110, email [email protected])
- The West Rand Astronomy Club arranges weekend star parties and caters for all levels. Contact Kenny Neville (082-335-1983, www.wrac.org.za)
