Equipment and Tips for Stargazing on a Superyacht
There’s a sense of peace at sea that’s unlike anywhere else. A yacht swaying in the gentle breeze, the water as still as glass and the night sky illuminated by a sprinkling of constellations. It’s these conditions that create the perfect environment for stargazing.
WHY IS BEING AT SEA GOOD FOR STARGAZING?
The biggest advantage of being at sea is undoubtedly the darkness. Far from the ambient glow of shoreline cities, many offshore and remote anchorages rank among the lower classes of the Bortle Scale – the astronomical metric for measuring light pollution. The result is a much sharper contrast, where fainter stars become bright and visible to the naked eye and galaxies like the Milky Way appear with a clarity rarely seen on land.
Across the globe, there are many anchorages that make for some of the best places to see the stars in the world. From the Norwegian Fjords, positioned at the precipice of the Arctic Circle, where emerald ribbons of the aurora borealis dance across the sky, to the Maldives, where superyacht guests can view both Southern and Northern constellations, the stars have become destinations in themselves.
WHAT ASTRONOMY EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED?
It’s of little use floating in some of the world’s best places to see the stars if you don’t have the right equipment. While viewing astronomical phenomena with your eyes alone is truly special, you’re only getting a fraction of the full picture. To reveal deeper detail, be it Saturn’s rings or distant star clusters, a selection of carefully chosen tools are required.
Marine Binoculars
A pair of binoculars is essential boating gear for day or night. Whether you’re looking to the stars or searching the horizon for whales breaching the sea’s surface, it’s one of the key pieces of equipment to have on board.
A high-quality pair of binoculars enables users to examine the moon, planets and stars. It goes without saying that, for these to function well at sea, the binoculars of choice must be waterproof. The Opticron Marine-3 7×50 are designed to meet the toughest performance criteria. The high-quality 7×50 specification, with long eye-relief eyepieces, XL prisms and anti-reflective lens coatings, ensures maximum depth of focus, field of view, resolution and low-light performance.
Telescope for Stargazing
The best views of the stars, of course, are seen through a telescope. For superyacht owners or guests looking for something portable that can be packed in a suitcase and taken onboard, The DWARF 3 Smart Telescope is a great option. With a body weight of just over 1kg and measuring approximately the size of a dictionary, it can be easily transported on any ocean adventure. It also comes with an optional additional mini hydraulic tripod which can rest on any surface.
For something more heavy-duty, opt for the Takashi FSQ-85EDX. Something of a cult favourite among astronomers, the “baby Q” weighs just under 4kg and collapses to just 32cm. Built around a four-element ED lens system that delivers a virtually flat field edge to edge, it genuinely provides a clarity rarely found in travel-sized options. It also features capabilities for deep-sky astrophotography, so you can permanently document what you’ve seen on your travels.
Both models are best suited to when the yacht is at anchorage and seas are calm. For something that is both stable and appropriate for use on the move, a custom-fit gyro-stabilised system is a must.
Offline Star-Chart App
Seasoned sailors will be well aware of the unpredictability of being out at sea. Just as good weather is not a guarantee, neither is good internet connection. As such, astronomers must have a reliable star-chart app downloaded to their phones which functions when the signal drops. Stellarium Mobile Plus combines a realistic and accurate night sky simulation with sky object catalogues, all of which function when offline.
Similarly, SkySafari offers detailed star maps, planet tracking and observing tools that can be accessed without a live connection. Both apps allow users to identify the mysteries of the night sky from virtually anywhere. Be sure to pack a spare power bank, so battery life doesn’t become an issue. The CUKTECH 15 Ultra Power Bank is the ultimate fast-charging power bank that frees users from inconvenient wires or wall plugs.
TIPS FOR EXAMINING THE STARS AT SEA
Getting the most from a stargazing experience requires a small level of preparation. Firstly, choose a clear night with minimal cloud cover. Similarly, it’s worth checking the moon phases before embarking on a stargazing mission, as a bright full moon can wash out fainter stars and deep-sky objects.
You also must allow time – approximately 20 minutes – for your eyes to adapt to darkness, so it’s critical to avoid looking directly at screens and lights beforehand. Finally, particularly for beginners, it’s advisable to start with bright, easily identifiable constellations like Orion, Ursa Major or Cassiopeia, before searching for dimmer objects.
Go back