lumpy darkness

Observation notes (with equipment details), photos, sketches, reviews, software tips, random thoughts, by an amateur astronomer.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

astronomy accessories

Accessories for astronomy are a curious thing.

Of course, if you're buying a telescope from a science or telescope store, they are likely going to try to—like a good salesperson would—sell you some extra stuff. This can be a very expensive hobby...

That said, there were some accessories that I did not hear about at the early stages of the hobby that I would have definitely obtained sooner.

Presented below, in no particular order, are all the accessories I consider using for astronomy.

There's a lot of stuff here! I don't take it all out every time. If I'm going to a dark sky site, with my telescope, sure. But if I'm packing light, maybe going to my Mom's (to use her 'scope), or a city observing session, just planning some easy observing with the naked eye, then I only take critical things.

I list this partly to inform the new user, the rookie, of gear that may prove useful. I'm not trying to empty wallets! In fact, a number of the items below I made myself, inexpensively.

 

logging, blogging

  • Notepad. I have a small, pocket-sized note book for all my random thoughts, observation notes, on-the-spot lists. Also handy for sketching at the eyepiece.
  • Log sheets. I have used (custom) large format log sheets. These remind me of data to collect or note. And they offer a large, clear space for sketching.
  • Pencils. They work in all temperatures. And for when you run out of ink. It's what the cosmonauts use. Necessary for sketching. Different softnesses.
  • Sketching tools. Eraser (rubber), rubber, and rubbing stump, for blending. Eraser shield, tortillons, eraser (plastic), charcoal sticks, for sketching.
  • Pens. I have a Fisher Space Pen, not just for the heck of it, but so I can write in extremely damp or cold conditions. I used get my Space Pens and refills from Science City.
  • Lanyard with clip or loop. To hold pen around your neck, so you always know where it is.
  • Digital pen and receiver. To capture notes immediately into electronic files. Sketching?
  • Digital voice recorder. Critical for occultations to capture time stamps and remarks. Handy for general observing sessions when updating log/blog.

charts, books, etc.

  • Charts. Um, it should go without saying, that you might want some books or charts or maps with you. See my atlases, books, software page for all the materials that I have, some of which I always carry with me.
  • Planisphere. Dual wheels are synchronised on date and time to show the night sky and constellations overhead. Detailed planispheres show some galaxies, bright star clusters, the Milky Way, and the Ecliptic. I have a few including one that glows in the dark!
  • Astronomy software printouts. I try to bring "reports" from my programs, e.g. the positions of the moons around a planet at a certain time. In lieu of bringing a whole computer...
  • RASC Observer's Handbook. Don't leave home without it.

seating

  • Observing chair. Adjustable height observing chair made by Dave Getgood. Can be set very low when viewing objects at zenith; works at full height with catadioptric for horizon viewing. Finished with spar urethane.
  • Stool. A short, compact, lightweight stool with can be collapsed, Velcroed shut, and thrown over the shoulder. Fabric seat, tripod base. Inexpensive. Obtained from Lee Valley. Handy when you need a spot to sit but you need to pack light.
  • Regular chair. Consider a full lawn chair, if you're going to be sitting for a long time, perhaps waiting for something, or to take notes.
  • Inflatable chair. Like what is used at the beach or pool-side. Recline and take in the whole sky during meteor showers.

binocular equipment

Perhaps this should not be really listed as an accessory; it is a critical piece of equipment. For first-time buyers, it is often recommended you get this before a telescope.

  • Tripod adapter, if applicable. Newer or better or purpose-built binos have an integrated tripod mount. I custom built a clamp for my old binos.
  • And tripod. Binocular views are greatly improved if they can be steadied. I use my photography tripod.

dew-fighting equipment

  • Dew shield.
  • Kendrick dew remover system VI controller with 4 outputs (purchased circa Aug 2000). Powered from a CLA male connector (or a car or portable battery). Critical during humid evenings or winter nights to keep dew (or frost) off the objective and eyepiece.
  • Custom made (circa Feb 2019) dew controller with 4 outputs, two controls, status indicator LEDs, reverse-polarity protection, CLA plug.
  • Kendrick large 7"/8" heater (purchased circa Aug 2000).
  • Kendrick small 2" heater (purchased circa Dec 2001). Broken. New 2" heater in kit (purchased Mar 2009). Replaced 2012...
  • Custom made (circle Aug 2019) dew strap for large and small eyepieces (or camera lens).
  • Aforementioned items now stored in a medium-sized case for easy transport.
  • Telrad dual-resistor heater (custom made).
  • Finder scope heater. Custom made unit Sep 2007 with nichrome wire wrapped and insulted around the objective and eyepiece. Replaced with 12V coffee cup warmer, hacked with an RCA jack.
  • Inexpensive LED dimmer controllers for indepedent heater control.
  • Portable hair dryer. Runs off 12 volts. Note: a unit like this can draw many amps...
  • Spare fuses!
  • Towel to cover things. Keep dew off paperwork, charts, eyepieces, etc.
  • Plastic sleeves. Used in binders. To keep dew off paperwork.

power source(s)

  • Batteries. The Vixen RA motor could run off a bunch of C batteries... The flashlights, barn door, and other accessories need AA, AAA, and 9v batteries.
  • Sealed lead acid batteries. Century J 300 portable 12V car battery (purchased circa Aug 2000). Heavy. Obtained from Canadian Tire. While battery has an integrated handle, I tote it around in an old laptop bag. All that said, "traditional" car booster battery packs are not ideally suited to astronomical applications. Marine batteries, those used on trolling boats, that used for long periods at slow draws and discharged over a long period, are better. So consider deep cycle marine batteries. I was fortunate to learn of lightly-used gel-cell 50 Ah batteries being sold for cheap; I have a couple.
  • Charger. Off-the-shelf booster packs include a charger adapter, of course. For traditional car or marine batteries, a full battery or intelligent charger is needed.
  • Inverter. Changes car power (from the CLA plug) to 120V. You could run a laptop or small TV... These can be found at The Source or Canadian Tire.
  • CLA splitter. I have an adapter that connects to the car's CLA plug and terminates in 3 female CLA plugs. Handy if you need to run many 12V devices. These can be found at The Source or Canadian Tire.
  • 120VAC-13VDC adapter with 3 female CLA connectors. Custom made from old computer power supply unit (PSU) to drive my 12V equipment when I'm near a wall socket. Also made a simple wall-wart adapter from a find at Active Surplus.
  • Extension cord. Long, grounded extension cord in the event you are relatively near a wall socket.
  • GFCI power bar. If you're going to be observing on hot summer nights in the middle of a damp pasture, you might consider a power bar with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. Got mine at Canadian Tire (on sale).
  • DC-DC power adapters. Used 2 of these for converting 12V to 6V for old palmtop and 9V for Vixen mount controller and motor. Remarkably cheap at Sayal Electronics.
  • Lithium-ion battery. Small, light-weight lithium-ion booster battery or external battery. I hacked my NOCO geniusBOOST GB30 for driving 12 volt astronomy gear.
  • Tester. So to test battery levels, a digital multimeter or an Expanded Scale Voltmeter.

filter(s)

  • Celestron eyepiece filter, #12, yellow. Screws inside a 1¼" eyepiece barrel.
  • baader solar film filter, 8" full aperture. Aluminium ring frame includes three nylon screws to secure to telescope tube.
  • Oxygen-III filter. Screws inside a 2" eyepiece barrel.

light sources

  • MagLite flash light, medium size (i.e. the one that takes two AA batteries). Have the kit that includes a rubber "bumper" around the light with coloured lenses. I think I bought all my MagLite equipment at Canadian Tire and Mountain Equipment Co-op.
  • Red LED pen. Very cool find at Active Surplus. No more left the last time I checked. But keep your eyes peeled at the Dollar Store...
  • Light box. Custom made, 19"x14" with 108 small but bright red LED. Left and right power switches and master dimmer control. Runs off 12VDC power. Used to back light Tirion star charts as well as printed reports and documents.
  • Desk lamp converted to red light. Small halogen desk lamp, with telescoping dome, which I changed to use red LEDs. Also changed to CLA 12V connection.
  • Book light with clip. I converted this battery-powered white LED unit to red LED.
  • Clip light or head lamp. Battery-powered. Clip lights attach to the bill of a baseball cap. The couple that I have use unusual batteries such as 2032. MEC has excellent head lamps with adjustable straps, white and red LEDs, and which use standard batteries like AAA.
  • Tripod leg lights. Now have red LED blinkies from Astro Gizmos.
  • Illuminated loupe. Found at Princess Auto, this features a large magnifying lens, integrated light, and runs off 4 AA batteries. Folds up compactly for transport. I converted to red light.
  • LightWedge - Night Vision edition. Dark red LEDs. Version 1 has high and low light level settings. Discontinued. It is the perfect size for the Pocket Sky Atlas.
  • Deep red flashlight / headlight. Custom made. With 660nm red LEDs, 9v battery, dimmable. Uses pulse-width modulation. Can be attached to elastic head band by Velcro or worn around neck with lanyard.
  • Red film to cover phone, smart phone, tablet, computer, or camera screens. Lee Filter 26 is a great colour.

carrying boxes / cases

  • Large plastic "file" box with lid and handle. Holds 8½x11" sheets of paper or file folders. I use this for small books, notes, small and loose items. As much as I like this box, it is fragile. Plastic gets brittle in extreme cold. Metal construction would be better... Retired.
  • A second plastic "file" box with lid and handle. This is for cargoing nonessential items.
  • Plastic box with handle. This is an old kitty litter box with flip lid for carrying gears, parts, supplies. Water resistant.
  • Aluminium attaché case for Tirion SkyAtlas loose leaf star charts. Very large!
  • Large Orion telescope case for tripod. Soft sided, padded, triangular shape, large handles that suit carrying on shoulder. I keep other ungainly items here.
  • Small Orion telescope case for OTA. Soft sided, padded, cylindrical shape, integrated handle, loops for shoulder strap. Side pocket for the finder scope.
  • Aluminium tool case for eyepieces and related accessories. Custom foam inserts.
  • Metal toolbox, old, for all the dew heating equipments, fuses, etc. Also holds computer power supply!
  • Make-up case! Large case in road-case style with metal edges and corners. Lid splits open. Drawers on rails slide out. From Amazon.
  • Metal file box. Holds 8½x11" sheets of paper or file folders. I use this for small books, notes, file folders, etc. From Amazon.
  • Duffle bags. Lots and lots of duffle bags. To carry all this gear!

star party stuff

  • Step stool. Three-step stool with wide/deep steps and upper hand rail. Collapses flat. Obtained from Canadian Tire (on sale). I use this at star parties to help the kids up to the eyepiece. Also helps adults be steady.
  • Observing list. Usually I don't take the computer to a public event.
  • Promo materials. For the astronomy group.
  • Light-pollution materials. Education.
  • Glow-in-the-dark stars. Tossed at the base of the telescope. For the kids.
  • UV torch. To recharge aforementioned stars.
  • Green laser pointer. To easily show stuff to people in the sky.
  • Signage. E.g. "Look but don't touch."
  • Name tag. Pre-printed. I have programmable LED units.
  • Light string. A gift. Christmas LED light string with "grain of wheat" bulbs and fine wire. AA battery power pack. Various pulse and blink modes available. Fun at star parties and public outreach events. Used at feet of tripod for trip hazard warning.

workspace

  • Simple TV-dinner style wood table. Collapses flat. Obtained from Canadian Tire (on sale). Useful near the 'scope to view charts and books, to make notes, and to perch the beverage of choice.
  • Portable folding picnic table by Hillary. Folds into itself, about the size of a large suitcase. Lightweight yet sturdy. Seats 4 people! Bought used, super-cheap.
  • Music stand. Hold a star chart at eye level while viewing at the telescope.
  • Black canvas shroud, 25' x 4', with poles. Heavy fabric. 1" dowls. Used on balcony and railing to serve as a light shield. Helps combat light pollution.
  • Astro-tent. Dual compartment tent purpose-built for astronomy with retractable roof. All the commensurate accessories such as tent pegs... Suitable for astro-camping, star parties, and backyard observing. Helps combat light pollution.

viewing equipment

Listed here as a reminder if one uses this as a checklist...

  • eyepieces
  • doubler(s)
  • reticule eyepiece, for measurement

photographic equipment

  • camera
  • lens, if nec.; filters; lens hood; lens cap
  • tripod, adapter, or clamp
  • spare batteries and/or AC adapter
  • data cable for control and/or transfer
  • t-ring - for camera body
  • t-adapter and/or eyepiece adapter
  • Powermate 2x with PTR
  • Intervalometer. Batteries.
  • Ball head. Usually left on barn door.
  • empty memory cards
  • Tracker. I made a barn door tracker for astrophotography. It includes the "barn door" proper and adjustable controller (with battery). Added a finder scope for polar alignment.
  • Focus mask. I made a simple Y-mask; many use a Bahtinov.

computing devices

  • Computer or device. If you have a palmtop computer or smart phone, load it with some astronomy software. Charge up or bring extra batteries! If you have a laptop or netbook computer, consider bringing it along.
  • Software. Used Procyon X (registered shareware), Solun, and SolarMap on my Psion EPOC pocket computer. Now use SkySafari on Android tablet. I use planetarium and planning astronomy software and camera controller software on a Windows portable computer.
  • Spare batteries. If possible, for computer or device.
  • Adapter. A power adapter that can operate off 12 volt supply.
  • Keyboard light. If you don't have a backlit keyboard, consider small, flexible USB-battery LED keyboard lights. I hacked mine with red LED emitters.
  • USB-serial adapter. As the netbook computer does not have a "classic" serial port (9-pin male), I use a USB-serial adapter. No issues with a unit from The Source based on the Prolific chipset.
  • USB-ethernet extension. From ioGear, this three-piece kit allows extended a USB connection a great length. Consists of adapter with USB male (at computer), adapter with USB female (at device such as camera), and power supply. Supports USB 2.0 format.

transportation

K.I.S.S. I admit it: I'm a pack rat.

  • Automobile. If you want a largish telescope and plan to get a bunch of accessories, you're going to need some way to transport this gear around. Unless, you're planning on building a permanent observatory at some awesome dark sky site... But then... you'll need a vehicle to drive to the observatory!
  • Dolly or hand truck. Some observing chairs can be adapted to be a dolly. I have a folding garden cart or wagon with pneumatic tires. From Canadian Tire (from a clearance sale).
  • Cart. Lead acid batteries, particularly if they are heavy, without handles or straps, if you have a few, might be more easily moved about in carts with wheels and handles, like luggage carts.

clothing

  • Appropriate clothing. Even on summer evenings, it can dramatically cool down. Combined with dew and humidity, it is easy to get chilled.
  • A blanket might be useful as yet another layer.
  • Mitt-gloves. Some designs are like a glove but with an additional single cover which flips over the fingers, like a mitten. You might consider battery-powered heated gloves!
  • Hooded sweater. A hoodie is very useful to cut out stray light. Consider a dark colour.

winter observing items

In winter observing, you need more clothing and layers than you think. Remember, you'll not be moving about nor generating heat. I don't remember the exact number but I think someone suggested dressing for 10° to 20° colder than what the evening low temperature will be.

  • Good boots too! Mine are rated for -100°C.
  • Balaclava. To keep the face warm.
  • I'll throw it in here, since we're talking about keeping comfortable: a hand warmer! I have a butane-powered unit (don't forget a lighter or matches and fresh fuel). Some people use disposable heat packs. There are also sodium based ones that are reusable. Don't like flames or chemicals? Try an electronic hand warmer.

eyeware

  • Red goggles. I use Laser Enhancing Glasses to help preserve my night vision.
  • Eyeglasses strap. With bifocal eyeware, I have to constantly remove and put back on my eyeglasses. With this strap, I never have to worry about where I put them.
  • Cleaning cloth. Eyeglasses micro-fiber cleaning cloth.
  • Spare eyeglasses. Now that I need bifocals, I keep my old eyeglasses in the astronomy case for "whole sky viewing."

miscellaneous

  • Black cape or towel. Used—like photographers of old—to block out extraneous light while you're at the eyepiece.
  • A magnetic compass with clear base and rotatable dial. Useful for determining north in unfamiliar territory. And magnetic north is "good enough" for aligning your (manual) telescope in daylight until you can bull's-eye Polaris. This assumes your telescope mount isn't able to self-align.
  • Timepiece. If you don't ordinarily wear a watch, bring one for your observing sessions. So you can consistently note times in your log sheets.
  • Short wave radio to tune to time signals, if doing occultations.
  • Portable weather station. I have two pocket-sized weather devices. Each tells temperature and humidity. Date, time, and moon phase!
    • The Oregon Scientific also tells pressure trend. It has an extreme weather alert. Aqua backlight. I bought this from Radio World.
    • The OneWorld unit also barometric pressure. It has an altitude feature (although it is not accurate) and timer. Amber backlight. I bought this from Canadian Tire (on sale).
  • Bug repellent. 'Nuf said.
  • Ties. Velcro One-Wrap straps are excellent. To bundle or fasten cables and wires. Carabiners are very handy.
  • Collimation tools. This may include a cheshire eyepiece, laser collimator, and hand tools.
  • Level. Some mounts require extremely precise leveling for there alignment process. A small bubble spirit level can help. Or an accurate app on your phablet.
  • Clock with alarm. If trying to observe/capture time-specific events, like an occultation or a satellite flyover. If visually observing an occultation, a stopwatch may be required.
  • Covers. Caps, covers, tarps, blankets, etc. to cover gear. And appropriate straps, wraps, twine, rope, bungees, to secure covers in place.
  • Tools. Sometimes a special wrench or driver is needed to tighten or loosen something. Be a shame to leave it at home.

 

 

 

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