Ezzy Pearson rounds up the latest astronomical accessories
1 Celestron tabletop tripod for NexStar mounts
Price £149 • Supplier Widescreen Centre • www.widescreen-centre.co.uk
This is a great grab-and-go tripod that’s just 28cm long when folded up. The mounting plate is designed specifically for NexStar SE and Evolution mounts and its 3kg weight makes for a stable base.
2 Black Diamond Spot 400 headlamp
Price £40 • Supplier Black Diamond • www.blackdiamondequipment.com
A sleek, low-profile design means this head torch won’t tip forward or bounce much when you’re on the move. Both red and white light options can be dimmed to get the perfect brightness for your needs. Comes in a variety of colour trims.
3 Altair Ultra 3nm H-alpha narrowband 2-inch filter
Price £399 • Supplier Harrison Telescopes • www.harrisontelescopes.co.uk
ADVANCED This high-end H-alpha narrowband filter transmits 90 per cent of the light in its designated wavelength and 0.01 per cent outside it. Each is individually tested and comes with a report guaranteeing its performance.
4 Rocket night light
Price £11.95 • Supplier Not On The High Street • www.notonthehighstreet.com
The soft glow of this rocket-shaped lamp makes it a perfect night light to help lull the space-loving child in your life to sleep. It’s battery-powered, so you can take it with you for overnight stays and sleepovers.
5 Trewortha bamboo base layer
Price £52 • Supplier BAM Bamboo clothing • www.bambooclothing.co.uk
A good base layer helps maintain your temperature throughout a night’s observations and this one is 68 per cent bamboo fabric, a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibres. The set comes in three colour choices with men’s equivalents also available.
6 Protostar FlockBoard
Price from £4 • Supplier First Light Optics • www.firstlightoptics.com
Flocking your telescope prevents stray light creating artefacts in your images and enhances contrast. This special material simply springs out against the walls, of your scope’s tube and can be removed just as easily.