What should I take on a meteor-watching night?
A grown-up, warm clothes, a blanket or reclining chair, a red torch, a snack and a warm drink. No telescope needed!
Getting ready for a meteor-watching night is part of the fun. Here is a checklist for young astronomers.
First, bring a grown-up. Never go out alone at night. Choose a safe spot you know in daylight, away from roads and water, with a wide view of the sky and as few lights as possible.
Next, warm clothes. Even in summer, nights can get chilly when you are lying still. Wear layers, a hat, gloves and thick socks. In winter, wrap up as if you were going to the North Pole!
Bring something to lie on, like a reclining garden chair, a camping mat or a thick blanket, so you can look up comfortably without hurting your neck. A sleeping bag is perfect.
Pack a red torch, so you can see without spoiling your night vision. You can cover an ordinary torch with red cellophane.
A flask of hot chocolate and some snacks make the wait more enjoyable. A notebook and pencil let you count meteors and note their brightness or colour.
You do not need a telescope or binoculars, because they show only a tiny piece of sky. Leave phones in pockets, because bright screens ruin your dark-adapted eyes. Then lie back, look up and enjoy the show!