Preparation is key
Before you head outside there are a few things you need to do. First and perhaps most importantly of all, you need to find a good observing site. Yes, you’ll be able to see some stars from your garden, but unless you live on a remote Scottish island, or in the middle of ghost-haunted moorland, your view of the sky will be both blocked by neighbouring properties and affected, perhaps even ruined, by light pollution from surrounding streetlights, external security floodlights on buildings and the illuminated signs of shops and pubs. You’ll want to find a spot nearby with as little light pollution as possible, and with as big a view of the sky as possible, and then you’ll be set to enjoy your own Grand Tour. Just be sure to stay safe, to stargaze with others where possible and to take heed of any COVID-related restrictions that happen to be in place.
Of course, you might already have a good observing place: a farm gateway or layby that’s just up the road from where you live, a car park on the outskirts of town, or maybe a nearby beauty spot – but if you don’t then you’ll need to do some research. Google Maps or Google Earth are useful for helping stargazers to find good observing sites. If you can, go and check out your site during the daytime, then you won’t be caught out by any tall trees, buildings or hills that aren’t obvious on the online maps and would spoil your view on a clear night.
Also, it’s very important to dress warmly. Autumn nights can feel very chilly and damp, especially after you’ve got used to the long, shorts-and-sandals nights of summer, so retrieve the gloves, hat, scarf and warm jacket you threw into the back of the wardrobe at the end of spring and snuggle back into them again before going out.
As for equipment, you won’t need a telescope to see the objects featured in this tour, they are all visible to the naked eye. However, if you have a pair of binoculars then take those along; they’ll give you better views of the objects once you’ve found them, and ensure you get the most enjoyment from your trip out to a dark sky.
Finally, plan your tour timetable. You’ll want to be at your observing site by around 8:30pm, just as it’s getting properly dark, so take into account the time it will take you to get there when you make your plans, especially if you’re meeting up with other people.
And so, preparations complete, let’s begin the Grand Tour…
“You won’t need a telescope to see the objects featured in this tour, they are all visible to the naked eye”