Astronomy gadgets you should know about

Getting a present for someone who likes stargazing can be a rather challenging feat. Besides, the broad array of products available out there can leave any prospective buyer feeling a bit baffled. The fact is that such gadgets and devices are rather simple to select, but it all depends on the purpose you have in your mind.

The obvious answer to the question “What should I get for my friend who’s into astronomy?” is a brand new telescope. Sure, there’s a variety of other science equipment you may want to consider, but nothing beats a telescope, or even a new extra if your buddy already owns one. Computerized models are particularly popular nowadays as they eliminate the hassle of having to set the telescope in the right position as per the moment in time when the user watches the sky.

A Tiny1 astronomy camera might be another gadget you may want to check out, and that’s because it is one of the most compact and user-friendly choices out there. It is very small and can be used with practically any telescope available for sale these days. All you will have to do is attach it to the lens and start recording or taking shots of celestial objects.

The camera even comes with built-in WiFi, so the user can also share his or her pictures to social media right off the bat. By the same token, you could opt for a smartphone adapter so that you can use it as a camera or viewer. Many universal models are reasonably priced.

Since we are addressing the subject of actual things, you can purchase if you are into astronomy, probably one of the best gifts you can offer to a stargazing aficionado would be an Astronomy magazine subscription. Every number is packed with high-quality images of celestial objects and loaded with fascinating articles on the life of planets and stars.

With the many technological advances made in the past years, you don’t even need to get a telescope to take a peek at your favourite star. There are mobile apps such as the SkyView Lite, which is available for iOS devices for free, and which can bring stargazing closer to anyone who does not own a telescope. Once you’ve installed the app, all you’ll have to do is point it in the direction of the object you’re interested in seeing.

It’s one of the most popular apps in this line, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise since it’s easy to use and by far the best educational application for those who haven’t even learned how to use a telescope yet. Moreover, it’s free, so there’s virtually no reason a smartphone user might want to forego installing and checking it out.