Dark Skies & Stargazing
| The Lake District offers a stargazer’s paradise. Its secluded valleys and remote fell tops create some of the darkest skies in the UK, far from the glare of city lights, perfect for stargazing. Today, October 12th, is International Astronomy Day so where better to stargaze than the Lake District? |
Discover Some of Our Favourite Places for Stargazing in the Lake District
Ennerdale
Ennerdale is a wild and starry retreat. Nestled in the remote North West corner of the Lake District, Ennerdale is a valley dedicated to preserving its natural beauty and wildlife. With minimal human intervention, this secluded haven offers a truly immersive experience. Ennerdale boasts some of the darkest skies in Cumbria, making it an ideal location for stargazing. Enjoy the awe-inspiring spectacle of the night sky, far from the distractions of city lights.
Wasdale
Wasdale is a wild and scenic gem.Nestled beneath the towering peak of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, lies Wastwater, the nation’s deepest lake. This remote and rugged valley offers a dramatic and inspiring backdrop for outdoor adventures. Experience the magic of the night sky constellations under Wasdale’s dark and unspoiled conditions and capture stunning images of the Milky Way and other celestial wonders.
Friar’s Crag: A Starry Night Spectacular
Overlooking the picturesque Derwentwater, Friar’s Crag is a popular spot for photos, both day and night. Its prime location, facing the dramatic “Jaws of Borrowdale,” offers stunning panoramic views of the starlit sky above the rugged Borrowdale peaks.
A short, easy walk from Keswick will lead you to Friar’s Crag. As you stroll through the woodland, keep your eyes and ears peeled for nocturnal creatures like hedgehogs and badgers. Once arrived, it is the perfect spot to set up your telescope for stargazing in the night sky.
Grizedale Forest: Your Gateway to Stargazing
Conveniently located between Windermere and Coniston Lakes, Grizedale Forest offers easy access with multiple car parks and cycling paths. Grizedale frequently hosts stargazing events, complete with informative talks, captivating videos, astronomy tips and expert guidance on using telescopes. When the skies are clear, step outside and experience the magic of stargazing first-hand.
Borrowdale: A Stargazer’s Haven
The tranquil Borrowdale Valley extends southward from Derwentwater, branching into three smaller valleys: Watendlath, Stonethwaite, and Seathwaite. To the south, the iconic Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, dominates the landscape.
For optimal stargazing, venture higher into the Borrowdale Valley to escape the light pollution from nearby towns. The Honister Pass, a winding road leading to the Buttermere Valley, offers opportunities to ascend to higher elevations and enjoy darker skies
Cumbria’s West Coast: A Stargazer’s Secret
The tranquil west coast of Cumbria offers hidden gems for stargazing, where the gentle rhythm of the lapping waves creates a serene ambiance.
St. Bees, the westernmost point of Cumbria, is a picturesque spot for night time walks. As the tide recedes, a vast expanse of beach emerges, perfect for strolling and gazing at the starry sky. Don’t forget your wellies!
Wander along the sandy shores, admiring the celestial spectacle that twinkles in the night sky above. The peaceful atmosphere and breathtaking views make St. Bees an ideal location for a memorable stargazing experience.
Explore the Stars: Best Stargazing Telescopes for Dark Skies in the Lake District
The Lake District isn’t just a beautiful area for hiking and lakes; it’s also a fantastic spot for stargazing. With dark skies and far from city lights, this place offers a perfect backdrop for exploring the universe. But to truly enjoy the wonders of the night sky, you need a good telescope. Let’s dive into the best stargazing telescopes that will light up your celestial adventures in this stunning locale.
Why the Right Telescope Makes a Difference
Picking the right telescope can feel like choosing the right backpack for a hike. You want something that fits your needs, is easy to carry, and gets you there without fuss. A good telescope helps you see planets, stars, and even galaxies clearly. In the Lake District, with its beautiful dark skies, the right choice can turn your stargazing into a magical experience.
Top 3 Telescopes for Stargazing in The Lake District
1. Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope
The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is like a trusty hiking boot for beginners. It’s portable, easy to set up, and perfect for those just starting their stargazing journey. With a 70mm aperture, it gathers enough light to reveal stunning views of the Moon and brighter planets. Imagine spotting Saturn’s rings or the craters of the Moon—this telescope makes that possible without breaking the bank.
- POWERFUL REFRACTOR TELESCOPE: Features fully-coated glass optics, a sturdy and lightweight frame, two eyepieces, a StarPointer red dot finderscope and an adjustable tripod
- HIGH-QUALITY 70MM OPTICS: The heart of the system is a fully-coated 70mm primary mirror; The AstroMaster mount features a panning handle that allows you to make precision adjustments to view celestial and terrestrial objects
- QUICK SETUP & LIGHTWEIGHT FRAME: This telescope for adults and kids to be used together features a lightweight frame and a manual Altazimuth mount for smooth and accurate pointing; Setup is quick and easy, with no tools required
- INCLUDED ACCESSORIES: We’ve included 2 eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), a tripod, erect image star diagonal, and a StarPointer red dot finderscope; Accessories also include a FREE download of one of the top consumer rated astronomy software programs
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in California since 1960; Your purchase includes a 2-Year Warranty and unlimited support from our team of experts
2. Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTI 130P
- 130mm aperture for bright, bold views
- Fast f/5 optics for increased light gathering power
- 650mm focal length perfect for viewing the Moon, planets, galaxies, and nebulae
- Built in Wi-Fi and full GoTo performance via the SynScan Pro app
- Patented Freedom Find technology uses dual encoders to allow manual control while retaining alignment
3. Eaconn 80mm Large Aperture
- 80mm Large Aperture – EACONN astronomical telescopes have a true 80mm aperture and a fully coated green optics glass lens. The big aperture can capture more light, the high transmission optics lens can improve light transmittance and reduce the reflection of light, so the telescopes for adults astronomy will bring you more bright and clear images.
- Using Rough Adjustment and Positioning Gimbal – EACONN telescope is equipped with a rough adjustment and positioning gimbal with scale, it can help you easy to adjust the altitude and azimuth. That will more comfortable to help you move wherever you want to point it.
- All You Need Accessories: Fully loaded with 2 eyepieces (K20mm and K9mm) with 30x-66x magnifications, 5×24 finder scope with a crosshair to locate the objects easily. We have equipped this telescope with a customized mobile phone adapter. Its two end positions are respectively prepared for K20 and K9 eyepieces, which can quickly and accurately locate the eyepiece and telescope. You only need to select the corresponding eyepiece according to the lettering on the adapter to use.
- Easy to Use and Carry – The telescope is easy to assemble even for astronomy beginners and kids. We have a detailed installation manual and video installation instructions to help you. Our refractor telescope has a bag and an adjustable tripod. All accessories can be packed into the bag, which is convenient for you to carry out. A carrying backpack makes it easier for you to portable and capture amazing images.
- Incredible Astronomy Gift – Perfect Christmas Gift for astronomy beginners and kids 8-12. Whether Keep it at home observing the moon or viewing planets, or bring this travel telescope on the road for bird watching and landscape viewing, it’s a great gift for beginners and it will enjoy various family fun times.
Features to Consider for Stargazing
When picking a telescope, think about portability, ease of use, and the type of objects you want to view. Imagine lugging a huge telescope around the Lakes—it’s not fun! A lightweight model will make your stargazing nights more enjoyable. Plus, ease of use is important. You don’t want to spend more time setting up than actually looking at the stars.
Magnification Matters
While magnification isn’t the only factor, it’s still essential. Higher magnification can make distant objects look closer but can also show less light. A well-balanced telescope will give you the best views without losing clarity.
Should I Consider Binoculars as an Alternative?
Some of the binoculars that are available on the market today certainly offer a viable alternative to the telescope. From a practical perspective, they are easy to carry, easily fitting in your backpack, and they are easy to use as there is no set up required. A good set of binoculars will still allow you to stargaze in the night sky providing good clarity for viewing planets, stars, and even galaxies clearly. As with the right telescope, the right binoculars will turn your Lake District stargazing experience into a memorable one, for sure. Here are the 3 Best Sellers from Amazon
- 【High Power 12×42 Roof Prism Binoculars】 With 12x high power magnification and wide-angle 42mm lens delivers best-in-class clarity and brightness; Provided with 21mm green film eyepiece and 330ft/1000yds large field of view, especially designed for outdoor activities such as climbing, hiking, driving, watching wildlife and scenery. This binocular also can be used for watching large stage play, vocal concert, a football game, etc.
- 【Dual focus Capability & Precise Adjustment】User-friendly with focus knob and diopter rings, an improved eye cup design and tethered objective lens covers accommodate a wide range of users, Twist up and down eyecups for quick adjustment comfortable viewing with or without eyeglasses.
- 【Premium BAK4 Prism & Multilayer Coated Optics】42mm fully multi-coated lenses deliver the brightness and color fidelity you need. Also has 12X magnification, the ideal magnification to capture the most clear, bright and steady watching images
- 【Comes with a Smartphone Adapter】This binoculars can be used with a tripod mount , it’s very convenient when you watch something for a long time. It also comes with a smartphone adapter, Compatible with iphone X, 8plus, 8,7plus, 7, 6, 6s, 6plus, 5, 5s, Samsung GALAXY S6, S6 Edge, S5 , Note, LG, HTV, Sony, Etc.
- 【Waterproof, Fog-proof and Anti-slip Grip】Prevents moisture, dust, and debris from getting inside the binocular telescope – designed for daily use and most outdoor environment. Moreover, the external non-slip rubber armor can absorb shock while provide a firm grip.
- 【Bird Watching Binoculars for Adults】With 12x magnification and 50mm lens, it provides a bright and clear view as far as 374 ft/1000 yards. The 5 meters closest observation distance is also suitable for birdwatching in the garden. Designed for observation in various activities like hiking, sports events, concerts and stargazing and special gift for family and friends.
- 【Phone Adaptor and Tripod】The compact binocular comes with the phone adaptor and tripod, convenient for taking pictures, video recording and watching for a long time. The phone adaptor is compatible with most phone models, and the tripod thread interface is compatible with other standard photographic tripod bolts , i.e. 1/4″-20 BSW thread, meeting various needs.
- 【Super Bright and Clear View】The stargazing binoculars adopt FMC fully multi-coated optics and phase coated 16.5MM BaK-4 prisms, provide superior 99.9% light transmission. The Exit-pupil Diameter is close to the pupil diameter of human to ensure the best observation effect. The adjustable Interpupillary Distance(55~75mm) is designed for all kinds of people.
- 【Quick and Easy to Focus】Double threaded focus knobs-Center Focus Knob&Diopter Adjustment Ring increase the friction between your finger and the knob, allow you to focus more quickly and accurately while observing constantly moving objects. Twist-up eyecups help people who wear glasses focus better.
- 【Waterproof and Durable Armor】The sturdy binoculars have wear-resistant rubber armor, with a unique non-slip design to achieve impact resistance, firm grip and waterproof under the harshest weather. Two-year warranty, 7 days and 24 hrs technical support always for you.
- Wide field of view optimal for tracking fast-moving subjects – find a subject quicker with a wider view of your surroundings, whilst enjoying sharply defined details and brilliant natural colours.
- High-performance optics provide a bright, clear field of view with superb transmittance and sharp, high-resolution images with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration even in low light conditions.
- Built with a durable, high-quality finish the robust housing resists any nature conditions – ideal for outdoor use. A rubber coated grip ensures a safe hold for easy and comfortable operation.
- Maximum comfort, functionality and portability are guaranteed due to a compact, lightweight size and ergonomic controls. The focus wheel is responsive and easy to operate even if wearing gloves.
- A rubber eyepiece and lens cover plus soft carrying case offer a solid protection. While the strap ensures a high level of wearing comfort and allows quick access to be ready for the next scene.
Additional Thoughts and Top Tips to Enhance Your Experience of a Night Under the Stars:
- Check the weather forecast: Clear skies are essential for optimal stargazing.
- Arrive early: Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness, eye adjustment takes up to 20 minutes
- Bring a blanket or reclining chair: Get comfortable for a long night of stargazing. don’t forget a comfortable blanket! Lying back and enjoying the stars is part of the magic.
- Use a red light: Helps preserve your night vision.
- Learn to identify constellations: Use a star map or app to help you navigate the night sky. A good star map or stargazing app can help you find celestial objects
- Bring a pair of Binoculars: Binoculars are also handy for quick views of the night sky, especially when just starting.
Conclusion: Your Stargazing Adventure Awaits
With these top telescopes and binoculars, the Lake District’s dark night skies become a portal to the universe. Each telescope offers a unique way to explore the wonders above. So grab a telescope, head out to the Lakes, and let the stars guide you. From spotting the Moon’s craters to hunting distant galaxies, the night sky holds surprises just waiting to be discovered. Get ready for an adventure that will inspire your dreams!