Monster in the Suitcase
The Night Sky
Getting into the campground is a beautiful experience, and over the years, stargazing took hold. Investing in a great pair of binoculars set the tone, but we wanted more, so along came our monster in a suitcase. At first, we tried something smaller, but to be honest, I could never find anything in the sky, including the moon so stepping it up with a telescope that came with a suitcase became our go-to choice for night sky viewing.
If you are looking for a telescope, here are a few thoughts.
Treat it well, and it will give you years of night sky pleasure.
1. Telescopes have a broad range, but it is an investment, so choose wisely.
2. Know your camping needs-think about the size, set-up, and storage space.
3. Look for features that will work for your night sky needs.
4. Pay attention to the tripod the telescope will sit on.
5. Take a look at lenses to choose from for viewing the full moon bright light or going into deep space for Jupiter’s spots and Saturn’s Rings.
6. If you do not want to bring along the extra equipment to find the planetary experiences, invest in maps and a good telescope finder.
7. Know the weather pattern; no use bringing the monster along if the night will be cloudy.
8. Take the time to let the telescope set the view. Just sit and watch what floats by. The show is incredible on a dark moonless night.
9. Let the campground enjoy the view.
Adding a telescope to our camping experience has become a great way to enjoy the night sky, and it also gives a chance to let fellow campers enjoy the experience. But, be careful; there could be a line waiting to see Saturn’s rings on a good night in the campground, so think before bringing the monster out of the suitcase.