Essential kit for stargazing, from cosy clothing to clever astronomy tools

07.01.2024 - 09:11 / nationalgeographic.com

JugCoffee is a stargazing essential, as much about keeping you warm as it is about keeping you awake. This stainless steel jug from Yeti can be counted on to keep yours hot for hours, with double-wall insulation and a thick lid for heat retention. It’s available in two sizes — 1.9L and 3.8L — and comes in almost all the colours of the rainbow. £100. uk.

Is that the Big Dipper or the Little Dipper? Banish all confusion with this moveable disc map of the night sky, which can show your exact place in the universe no matter the time of year, thanks to a dial adjustable to the date and time. To go deeper, pair it with Philip’s Stargazing 2024, a guide to the year ahead. £12.99. 

Cold toes? They’ll be a thing of the past when you don these waterproof yet breathable winter boots, which will keep you feeling stellar even if the mercury drops to -30C, thanks to a thick, fleecy internal layer. They offer good grip on wintery surfaces and have a cushioned midsole. £125. 

If you’d rather take your stargazing at a leisurely pace, pack this four-in-one insulated blanket from Voited, which can change into a pillow, a sleeping bag and a hands-free cape, with water-resistant recycled ripstop fabric on one side and faux fleece on the other. Available in various designs. £128. 

An excellent beginner’s telescope, this Celestron model comes with a smartphone app. Not only does it list celestial objects you can view, it also has on-screen arrows to point you in the right direction. Once your target is in view, the app shows a green bull’s eye, prompting you to look into the eye piece.£399. 

While avoiding man-made light sources is key to making the most of the night sky, you’ll inevitably need a torch. Ordinary white lights can ruin your night vision, so opt for a model like this head torch from Petzl, which has a softer red-light setting and keeps your hands free. It’s also rechargeable and water-resistant. £72. 

Picking out the constellations on wintry evenings can be chilly — which is why you need a dependable outer layer. This parka from Rab is perfect, filled with duvet-cosy recycled down with a waterproof shell. It will keep heavy downpours and high winds at bay. £380. 

These heated waterproof gloves from Bertschat offer three temperature levels, and heat both sides of the hand and all digits for up to eight hours. They come with rechargeable batteries, slotted into a zipped sleeve at the wrist, and are touchscreen-compatible. £199.99.