Ezzy Pearson rounds up the latest astronomical accessories

1. Explore Scientific ReflexSight LED finder

Price £65 • Supplier Telescope House • www.telescopehouse.com

This novel viewfinder gives an unmagnified view of the entire sky, not just a zoomed-in portion of it. Using the red target circles, use this view to line up your scope or large binoculars with your target area.

2. Antlia 1.25-inch IR pass planetary filter

Price £40 • Supplier First Light Optics • www.firstlightoptics.com

Centred on a wavelength of 685nm, this filter mainly lets in infrared light. Infrared is affected much less by air turbulence, so it’s a great option for imaging planets. Can be combined with frames at other wavelengths to increase crispness and clarity.

3. Jansport Cross Town backpack

Price £33 • Supplier The Back Packer • www.thebackpacker.co.uk

Whether for work or school, this backpack is a stylish choice, decorated with a sea of stars and nebulous blues and purples. Has a front zip pocket and a side pocket for your water bottle.

4. Askar Vixen-style dovetail plate

Price £41 • Supplier Widescreen Centre • www.widescreen-centre.co.uk

Combining function and form, these 300mm bars have a number of holes allowing you to mount your equipment exactly as you want, and come in a choice of colours to give your setup a touch of personality.

5. Giotto 185 smart flat field generator

Price £325 • Supplier 365 Astronomy • www.365astronomy.com

ADVANCED
Flat frames vastly improve your final image quality, and with this device you can take them in seconds. Locking onto the front of your scope, it uses LEDs to produce a uniform light at a similar temperature to the Sun. This fits 185mm apertures, but other sizes are available.

6. Merino neck gaiter

Price £29.99 • Supplier Mountain Warehouse • www.mountainwarehouse.com

Keep warm during a long observing session by stopping cold winds from sneaking past your collar with this neck gaiter. Made from lightweight and breathable merino wool blended with polyester.