Page 41 - BBC Sky at Night - September 2017 UK

WILD ASTRONOMY SEPTEMBER 41

Travelling light An anatomy of a lightweight
imaging and observing kit

SLEEPING BAG DRY BAG
When wild camping you’ll naturally want to take A high-quality dry bag is an essential addition to any
a sleeping bag. But even if you’re just driving out wild camping kit list. It’ll act as an extra line of
for an evening to a remote observing site it’s still defence against dust, debris and splashes of rain for
a good idea to carry one in case of emergencies, your most valuable and sensitive camera equipment.
especially in winter.
POWER IN THE FIELD
PORTABLE TRACKING MOUNT Keeping your phone charged in case
Most portable tracking mounts can either of an emergency (and for checking
be disassembled or packed down into a the weather) is important on remote
small volume allowing them to be taken on trips. Lightweight portable power
observing or imaging trips in remote locations. banks can typically charge a
modern smartphone once or twice.
FIRST AID KIT

CAMERA/OBSERVING GEAR

PADDED
CAMERA/
LENS BAG FOOD & WATER SUPPLIES
Even if you don’t intend to camp
overnight at a remote observing or
WARM CLOTHING & STURDY SHOES TENT imaging site, it’s good practice to
take food and a supply of water in
A remote observing site might not always If you camp at your observing
have the same climatic conditions as or imaging site you’ll obviously case you get into difficulties.
your home base, so prepare by bringing need to bring shelter. Small,
enough warm layers, including gloves semi-geodesic tents are useful TORCH/HEAD TORCH
and a warm hat. Sturdy boots will also for exposed locations, but make A decent torch and headtorch are
protect your feet from the cold ground sure you’re able to fit both you vital pieces of safety equipment for
in the winter months. and sensitive kit safely inside. wild camps and night hikes.

worth throwing in a sleeping bag (or even better, Taking a friend means
a bivvy bag) for emergencies. Be sure to have a you can spread the
good supply of food and water with you too. astro kit between you
Not all wild astronomy adventures will be
evening drives to remote locations of course. Night
hikes or even multi-day wild camps, out in the
countryside rather than at a campsite, are a wonderful
way to get out and see the stars from some of the
UK’s few remaining truly dark-sky sites. What’s >

skyatnightmagazine.com 2017