Page 74 - NJCOA-2019Guidebook-web

Camping is a great opportunity to do some stargazing. Here are some tips to get started.
– United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey, Inc.
LIGHT POLLUTION – Our homes, towns and cities are so lit up with street and security lights that 80% of Americans can
no longer see the Milky Way. Campgrounds and parks offer stargazers a refuge from the bright light that pollutes our skies.
Night Vision – Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for the best views.
RED LIGHTS – Put red plastic over your flashlight and use night mode on your smartphone. Looking at a bright light or
screen will ruin your night vision.
FIND NORTH – Use the Big Dipper: the stars at the front of the Dipper (the two furthest from the handle) always point at
the North Star. If you can’t see the Dipper, use a magnetic compass to get yourself oriented.
STAR MAPS – A good star map or star wheel is essential to help you find your way around the sky. Like a paper planetarium,
a star wheel can be set for the current date and time to show you what is visible tonight. Smartphone apps (in night mode
of course) can also point you in the right direction.
BINOCULARS – These aren’t just for bird watching. A good pair of 7x50 binoculars can show you many star clusters and
nebulae in the night sky.
TELESCOPE – Zoom in with a small telescope to get a good look at the planets and the Moon. The larger lens or mirror
collects more light and gives you better and brighter views of star clusters, nebulae and even distant galaxies.
74 GoCampingNJ.com