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Travel + Leisure
17-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
The Best Binoculars for Birders, With Picks for Every Trip and Budget
After years living in South Africa and spending my weekends exploring the country's magnificent game reserves, I turned to birding as something to do when other wildlife were scarce. In the decade since, I've realized that it's one of those rare hobbies whose reward vastly outweighs the effort and cost involved. Wherever you are in the world, there are almost always birds to spot and enjoy and the only investment required is a good pair of binoculars. For this reason, I'm now a self-confessed bird nerd who, when given the choice between a raptor and a rhino, is always more likely to be focusing on the creature with feathers. There are binoculars for all budgets and specifications, but the best magnification, objective lens diameter, field of view, close focus range, and size for you depends on your budget, the species you're most interested in, whether you typically bird on foot or from a hide or vehicle, and the type of habitat you most often find yourself in. To help you narrow down your options, our travel experts tested a wide range of binoculars while birding to give you the inside view. We used the tripod-adaptable Celestron TrailSeeker 8x42 ED Binoculars for hours of birding in national parks across Oregon and were impressed with their 8x magnification. A 42-millimeter objective lens diameter lets in plenty of light while also facilitating a generous 8.1-degree field of view. Effectively, this meant we could easily find and track flying birds as they moved across the landscape, using the conveniently placed focus wheel to sharpen the image as our subject got closer or further away. The binoculars use extra-low dispersion (ED) lenses made from a special glass designed to minimize chromatic aberration for high-contrast, high-resolution colors that are true to what you'd see with the naked eye. The difference between ED and non-ED glass is especially noticeable at dawn and dusk, when many bird species are most active. In the bright Oregon sunshine, the binoculars' fully multi-coated, anti-reflective lenses helped to maximize light transmission and eliminate glare so that we could view birds at a considerable distance with very little detail loss. In terms of durability, these binoculars survived being thrown repeatedly into a backpack with no signs of wear and tear. The body is made from lightweight magnesium alloy with a rubber coating for impact resistance, while the interior is filled with nitrogen to prevent fogging when moving between cool and warm environments. They're also fully waterproof. The Details: 1.5 pounds | 8.1-degree field of view | 6.5-foot close focus | 17.2 millimeter eye relief | 8x magnification | 42-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $260 at Amazon $293 at The Athlon Optics 8x42 Midas UHD Binoculars combine 8x magnification with the 42-millimeter objective lens diameter and wider field of view often considered ideal for bird watching. They also boast ED glass and fully multi-coated lenses for a clearer, sharper image defined by the accuracy of its colors; while dielectric prism coatings maximize light transmission for increased contrast, color fidelity, and glare reduction. We were particularly impressed with the binoculars' precise focal range, which was easily adjusted as birds moved closer or further away. While there is some very minor distortion at the edge of the field of view, it's virtually unnoticeable unless you're focusing on it. With the eyecups twisted so that they were flush against our face, we were able to use the binoculars in full sun without any light leaking in and causing glare; equally, image quality remained consistent in the low light of late afternoon. The binoculars are compact, light, and great for hiking. They're also waterproof, argon purged for fog protection, and come with a tripod mount for alleviating fatigue when focusing for long periods on a nest site or other fixed point. The Details: 1.45 pounds | 8.1-degree field of view | 6.5-foot close focus | 17.2-millimeter eye relief | 8x magnification | 42-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $189 at Amazon View on Competitively priced, perfectly packable, and lightweight enough to hold up to your eyes or carry around your neck for extended periods of time without getting fatigued, the Opticron Oregon 4 PC Oasis 8x42 Binoculars are an excellent choice for the casual birder. They combine 8x magnification with all the clarity of a BAK4 prism with fully multi-coated lenses for maximum light transmission and minimum glare. We found the image to be sharp and bright with no noticeable distortion, even on a sunset birding session in low light conditions. The focus wheel is ideally placed for making precise adjustments with one hand. Once focused, we were able to view birds on our feeder in minute detail. One thing to note—the field of view is slightly narrower than that of other options, making these binos best for environments that require minimal searching or tracking. They are sturdily made with a waterproof body, slip- and impact-resistant rubber coating, and nitrogen purged interiors for fog-free viewing in all climates. Twistable eyecups and a tripod adapter complete the list of features. The Details: 1.5 pounds | 7-degree field of view | 7.5-foot close focus | 22-millimeter eye relief | 8x magnification | 42-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon The Pentax Binoculars AD are great for those planning a backpacking expedition, thru-hiking adventure, or any other kind of trip that requires you to prioritize lightweight equipment. Measuring just 4.3 x 4.1 inches, they are less than half the weight of our top pick and can easily be carried in hand or around the neck for extended periods of time. You won't be sacrificing any magnification, although the 25-millimeter objective lens makes for a much smaller field of view (5.5 degrees). We found that this made it tricky to locate and track birds on the move. And while we were impressed with the binoculars' ability to capture details on distant subjects, the 9.8-foot close focus limit means they're not as useful for viewing birds at close quarters. However, a BAK4 prism and fully multi-coated, phase corrected lens make for a sharp, glare-free image with good contrast and color accuracy. We were able to focus easily and found the picture just as good on bright and overcast days. Nitrogen-purged waterproofing provides all-weather durability. The Details: 10.5 ounces | 5.5-degree field of view | 9.8-foot close focus | 21-millimeter eye relief | 8x magnification | 25-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $449 at Amazon View on Backed by a 10 year warranty, the Kowa BDII42-8XD Binoculars are designed for adventures and built to last. Expect a lightweight, yet durable magnesium alloy body and rubber armor that feels both ultra-protective and comfortably soft to the touch. The binoculars are waterproof and nitrogen filled, and we found that they stayed completely clear in humid weather and in close proximity to the water. The sturdy, slightly weighty build helped us to brace the binoculars and keep them steady, but did cause some fatigue after long periods of use. In terms of performance, the binoculars offer 8X magnification and an impressively wide 8.2-degree field of view that allows you to locate birds quickly. They can also focus down to 5.9 feet for viewing birds on a feeder or smaller insects and flora in exquisite detail. ED lenses allow for fantastic image quality with no discernible blurring or distortion. We tested them in a range of light conditions with similar results. We especially liked how the fully multi-coated lenses prevented glare even while birding from a boat in full midday sunshine. The Details: 1.4 pounds | 8.2-degree field of view | 5.9-foot close focus | 17-millimeter eye relief | 8x magnification | 42-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon If you're looking for a pair of binoculars that can stand up to the elements, look no further than the Zeiss Terra ED 8x42s. Rated for temperatures between 5 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, they're equally at home in tundra or desert while nitrogen purging protects against fogging in birding destinations with high humidity. Best of all, a hydrophobic multi-coating reinforced with glass fibers makes these binoculars waterproof up to 100 meters, meaning you could swim with them around your neck and they should still function perfectly afterward. They offer 8x magnification and ED glass for enhanced light transmission. We found the image clear and crisp all the way to the edges of the field of view and were impressed that there was no glare even when using the binoculars to scan for waterbirds on the Colorado River in bright sunshine. The intuitively placed, easy-to-operate focus wheel was a highlight, allowing us to make minute adjustments quickly. We also appreciated the 5.3-foot close focus, which meant we were able to get an incredibly detailed view of a tanager at close range. The Details: 1.6 pounds | 5.3-foot close focus | 8x magnification | 42-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon Ideally priced for beginners, the Nocs Provision Field Issue 10x32 Binoculars are compact and lightweight enough at just over one pound that we never felt shaky or fatigued using them. They'll also last well past your introduction to birding, with a textured rubber housing for maximum grip and protection, and a waterproof rating to a depth of up to three feet. A BAK4 prism with fully multi-coated lenses provides excellent light transmission, contrast, and color accuracy. We also found the oversized focus wheel easy to adjust one-handed while spotting. We liked the crisp view and loved that we were able to see individual feathers on distant birds thanks to the 10x magnification. We tested these binoculars alongside the Nocs Provisions Field Issue 8x32 Binoculars and preferred the former's higher magnification; however, some may find the wider field of view offered by the latter preferable for scanning large areas. Additionally, the 8x32s have a higher relative brightness and may be a better pick for birding at dawn and dusk. Both come in a range of quirky colors and are protected by a "No Matter What" lifetime warranty. The Details: 1 pound | 6-degree field of view | 9.3-foot close focus | 16.8-millimeter eye relief | 10x magnification | 32-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon The Hontry 10x25 Compact Binoculars are a budget pick, so you won't have to worry about your kids breaking them or losing interest in birding. On the other hand, with a BAK4 prism and fully multi-coated lenses, they are effective enough to last into the next stage of the hobby if your children develop a passion for it. We were pleased with the sharpness of the image, which was undistorted and showed enough detail that we were able to see the veins on leaves and individual feathers in an owl's nest. With 10x magnification and a 25-millimeter objective lens diameter, the field of view is relatively narrow (6.5 degrees). But, the small lens size also makes the binoculars super compact and lightweight at just 9.6 ounces, making them comfortable for kids to hold. Ours were able to use them for extended periods without their arms getting tired, although our seven year old did need a little help reaching and using the focus wheel. Finally, the binos feel sturdy with a textured, non-slip grip and feature a carry case to help kids take care of them. The Details: 9.6 ounces | 6.5-degree field of view | 10-millimeter eye relief | 10x magnification | 25-millimeter objective lens diameter Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure
Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Stargazing sparking interest across Malaysia
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Avid stargazers in Malaysia often take trips within the country to spots where stars are more visible. It is pitch dark at the Empangan Sungai Selangor lookout point in Kuala Kubu Baru, Hulu Selangor. While this might not appeal to everyone, it's perfect for stargazers. The darkness only makes every star in the galaxy stand out, revealing their full glory. To get started, you'll need a telescope, smartphone, tripod and red flashlight to minimise impact on your night vision. First-timer Tristan Giles Fernando, 17, can vouch for the experience. After downloading a stargazing app on his smartphone, he was completely engrossed, identifying and taking photos of the constellations – those recognisable patterns or shapes formed by groups of stars in the night sky. Tristan and his friends spent close to three hours at the spot, taking photos of the stars using nothing more than their smartphones mounted on tripods. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business S'pore to launch new grant for companies, expand support for workers amid US tariff uncertainties World Trump to use presidential authority to send weapons to Ukraine, sources say World Trump nominates 'alpha male' influencer to be ambassador to Malaysia Opinion Whisper it softly, there's a new Japan rising Business Popiah king Sam Goi makes $123.5 million offer to buy rest of PSC Business Company in talks to buy Esso petrol stations in Singapore, said to be worth $1.28 billion: Sources World The $12.8m bag: Original Birkin smashes records at Paris auction Asia Tariffs overshadow diplomacy as Asean foreign ministers press on with meetings Young stargazer's dream What does one truly gain from looking at the night sky, staring into vast nothingness for long periods of time? Fourteen-year-old Che Ku Muhammad Umar Che Ku Ahmad Fuad from Kuching, Sarawak, said 'the answer lies in the stars and their ability to transform the dark sky into a canvas of shimmering light.' 'The first thing to know is how they are formed. All this is basic knowledge which can be found in our school Science textbooks. 'Then there is YouTube and the Internet,' he added. Having followed his parents for stargazing trips to Pantai Trombol in Petra Jaya, Sarawak, since he was 12, Muhammad Umar said Lundu and Tanjung Datu were ideal spots for stargazing. The planets are his current objects of fascination, he told StarMetro. 'I regard them as fossils as they have existed even before dinosaurs walked the earth.' Mu hammad Umar , who uses his mother's Celestron telescope to view the stars, said Jupiter, the largest and oldest planet in the solar system, was his current object of wonderment. 'The first time I went stargazing, it was an amazing experience. 'It made me ask questions about how they were formed. 'Eventually, this made me wonder how I came to be and what my mission is in the universe,' he added. An only child, Muhammad Umar wants to be an aerospace engineer when he grows up. He dreams of one day piloting his own inter galactic spacecraft to the Andromeda Galaxy – the closest galaxy to the Milky Way – a destination approximately 2.5 million light years from Earth. He hopes to come up with a technology to make such travel possible. It is no surprise to his mother, Ms Nurul Zaitul Syeema Baharuddin, that he took an interest in stargazing as his father, Mr Che Ku Ahmad Fuad Che Ku Abdullah, is a land survey teacher at Politeknik Kuching. Land surveying is a profession that requires knowledge in field astronomy to determine the true meridian. Ms Nurul Zaitul, a housewife, said they took Muhammad Umar to stargazing events where they bonded as a family. 'His curiosity was piqued when we brought him along to witness a meteor shower,' she said, adding that her son is also in the Scouts movement and some of the trips would include his Scouting buddies. 'In an age where the younger generation has become so preoccupied with computer games and smartphones, I feel that looking to the skies is a way of broadening their knowledge and sense of awareness so that they will not become too self- absorbed,' added Ms Nurul Zaitul. Novel way to recharge One avid stargazer, who has been making regular trips to unlit places for the clearest view of the night sky, is retired Physics lecturer Chong Hon Yew , president of the Astronomical Society of Penang (ASP). He was also president and later advisor of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Astronomy Club from 1986 to 2015. 'I was doing astrotourism long before the word was invented,' said Dr Chong. One of his favourite destinations was Pulau Singa Besar, an uninhabited island off Pulau Langkawi, which he visited almost every month from 1989 to 2001. 'You can see the Milky Way with your naked eye there. 'We'd go there with our telescopes to take pictures of nebula, which are giant clouds of dust and gas in space,' said Dr Chong. One trip that remained vivid in his memory was to Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir at Pantai Acheh in Balik Pulau, Penang, for the 2004 Geminid meteor shower. 'Within the span of eight hours we saw up to 1,103 showers in one night. 'Every time the lights streaked across the sky, there were shouts of jubilation. 'The next morning, when it was time for me to teach a class, I realised I had lost my voice from all that shouting,' he added. On a deeper level, Dr Chong said these trips had helped him rejuvenate and destress. 'When you are under the sky, it is as if the stars are talking to you. 'It is an unexplainable feeling, like an indirect communication with the universe.' Ultimately, these trips will certainly beckon the adventurous, said ASP committee member Kenny Loh, who was also a member of the USM Astronomy Club during his student days. In 2019, the father of two organised a trip for ASP members to watch the annular solar eclipse in Pulau Kukup, Johor. Two years ago, Mr Loh was in Australia to witness the total solar eclipse and this year he will be taking a trip to Iceland with his wife to witness the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Mr Loh, an avid astro photographer, also has a four-wheel drive vehicle to carry all his gear when he goes stargazing. 'The trickiest part about stargazing is patience. You may have just finished setting up your telescope only to spend 10 seconds observing one part of a sky before it is covered in clouds. 'One also has to be hardy and have some knowledge of survival skills as there are locations that have minimal light pollution and are devoid of basic comforts like electricity, water supply or toilets. 'In some locations, safety also needs to be looked into especially when it comes to ensuring that one's vehicle does not obstruct traffic during such trips. 'Drivers should park in parking bays. Ideally, stargazers should go in a group as there is safety in numbers,' he said. To overcome these challenges, Mr Loh planned to set up remote telescopes to view the sky on a tablet from the comfort of his home in Penang. He has established a connection with his friend's observatory in Johor and plans to set up the next one in Perlis. Skywatching tour For Mr Muhammad Mustaqim Rosden, who is marketing and communication director of an adventure travel and tour company, rising interest in astronomical activities and celestial events has led to the inclusion of more dark places in their packages. This has resulted in stargazing being included in the itinerary to tours to Taman Negara and Pulau Tioman, both in Pahang. However, the market has progressed to a point where they are able to organise trips solely dedicated to stargazing to locations like the Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge, Pulau Mawar in Mersing, Johor, and tea plantations in Cameron Highlands, Pahang. 'We have organised over 30 astro tours since 2023 with each trip seeing about 50 participants. 'The average age of participants is between 25 and 70 years. 'Children whose parents are interested in astronomy and nature also tag along.' Mr Muhammad Mustaqim said children made up 40 per cent of total participants while teenagers formed 30 per cent and adults 30 per cent. 'In private tours, children make up between 20 per cent and 30 per cent of the number of participants,' he added. He also touched on challenges in ensuring a successful trip, with weather being the main one as it was beyond the organiser's control. Mr Muhammad Jazlan Rozali, who runs a marketing consultancy business, said even if the weather was rainy or cloudy, the journey would ultimately be worth it. According to the social media ad campaigner, the best spots are the ones with very minimal light pollution, which means that most of these places are usually away from the city. 'People who like stargazing also love nature and activities like hiking and camping. 'During the night what can you do? Look at the sky, of course. 'To me, it is so beautiful; nothing compares to it,' he added. On how stargazing can be best promoted, Ms Nurul Fatini Jaafar, rector of Akademi Falak Malaysia, an institution under Persatuan Falak Syar'i Malaysia, said it all boiled down to hands-on experience. The founder of Sahabat Langit Utara, a community organisation, said the Orang Asli have their own names for constellations and star patterns that are woven into their local folklore and stories. 'During my fieldwork with the Semelai Orang Asli at Tasik Bera, Pahang, I was thrilled to discover they have their own interpretations of Orion, Taurus and the Pleiades. 'Examples are bintang peyh (meaning spring spear trap) which is part of Orion, bintang jekat (wild boar's jaw) which is part of Taurus and bintang kerancong (mousedeer's dung) which refers to the Pleiades cluster.' Ms Nurul Fatini suggested that parents and teachers take young ones to observatories and science centres to nurture their curiosity. She added that it was time for tourism players, such as tour guides and resort staff, to be trained in basic astronomy, so that they can offer enriching nighttime experiences alongside daytime tours. 'I also wish to see more film and animation studios producing impactful content that portrays stargazing and celebrates our local astronomy heritage. 'Just like Moana inspired young viewers to learn about ancient Polynesian way-finding and celestial navigation, we need a culturally rooted film or programme that will boost public interest in science and astronomy, just like how the Angkasawan programme once did. 'Local councils and faith-based centres should include stargazing into weekend or monthly community programmes,' she said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
The Star
10-07-2025
- Science
- The Star
Stargazing sparking interest across Malaysia
IT IS pitch dark at the Empangan Sungai Selangor lookout point in Kuala Kubu Baru, Hulu Selangor. While this might not appeal to everyone, it's perfect for stargazers. The darkness only makes every star in the galaxy stand out, revealing their full glory. To get started, you'll need a telescope, smartphone, tripod and red flashlight to minimise impact on your night vision. First-timer Tristan Giles Fernando, 17, can vouch for the experience. After downloading a stargazing app on his smartphone, he was completely engrossed, identifying and taking photos of the constellations – those recognisable patterns or shapes formed by groups of stars in the night sky. Tristan and his friends spent close to three hours at the spot, taking photos of the stars using nothing more than their smartphones mounted on tripods. The experience was so enjoyable that one of his friends decided to plan a stargazing trip to Pantai Bumi Hijau and the Selangor Observatory in Sungai Lang, Sabak Bernam. Young stargazer's dream What does one truly gain from looking at the night sky, staring into vast nothingness for long periods of time? Fourteen-year-old Che Ku Muhammad Umar Che Ku Ahmad Fuad from Kuching, Sarawak, said 'the answer lies in the stars and their ability to transform the dark sky into a canvas of shimmering light.' 'The first thing to know is how they are formed. All this is basic knowledge which can be found in our school Science textbooks. 'Then there is YouTube and the Internet,' he added. Two youngsters taking pictures of the night sky at the Selangor Observatory in Sungai Lang, Sabak Bernam. — GRACE CHEN/The Star Having followed his parents for stargazing trips to Pantai Trombol in Petra Jaya, Sarawak, since he was 12, Muhammad Umar said Lundu and Tanjung Datu were ideal spots for stargazing. The planets are his current objects of fascination, he told StarMetro. 'I regard them as fossils as they have existed even before dinosaurs walked the earth.' Muhammad Umar, who uses his mother's Celestron telescope to view the stars, said Jupiter, the largest and oldest planet in the solar system, was his current object of wonderment. Muhammad Umar looking at the moon through his mother's telescope from his house in Kuching, Sarawak. 'The first time I went stargazing, it was an amazing experience. 'It made me ask questions about how they were formed. 'Eventually, this made me wonder how I came to be and what my mission is in the universe,' he added. An only child, Muhammad Umar wants to be an aerospace engineer when he grows up. He dreams of one day piloting his own inter galactic spacecraft to the Andromeda Galaxy – the closest galaxy to the Milky Way – a destination approximately 2.5 million light years from Earth. He hopes to come up with a technology to make such travel possible. Loh (front row, left) and members of the Astronomical Society of Penang watching the annular solar eclipse in Pulau Kukup, Johor in 2019. It is no surprise to his mother. Nurul Zaitul Syeema Baharuddin, that he took an interest in stargazing as his father, Che Ku Ahmad Fuad Che Ku Abdullah, is a land survey teacher at Politeknik Kuching. Land surveying is a profession that requires knowledge in field astronomy to determine the true meridian. Nurul Zaitul, a housewife, said they took Muhammad Umar to stargazing events where they bonded as a family. 'His curiosity was piqued when we brought him along to witness a meteor shower,' she said, adding that her son is also in the Scouts movement and some of the trips would include his Scouting buddies. 'In an age where the younger generation has become so preoccupied with computer games and smartphones, I feel that looking to the skies is a way of broadening their knowledge and sense of awareness so that they will not become too self- absorbed,' added Nurul Zaitul. Chong says stargazing gives a feeling of indirect communication with the universe. Novel way to recharge One avid stargazer, who has been making regular trips to unlit places for the clearest view of the night sky, is retired Physics lecturer Dr Chong Hon Yew, president of the Astronomical Society of Penang (ASP). He was also president and later advisor of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Astronomy Club from 1986 to 2015. 'I was doing astrotourism long before the word was invented,' said Chong. One of his favourite destinations was Pulau Singa Besar, an uninhabited island off Pulau Langkawi, which he visited almost every month from 1989 to 2001. 'You can see the Milky Way with your naked eye there. 'We'd go there with our telescopes to take pictures of nebula, which are giant clouds of dust and gas in space,' said Chong. One trip that remained vivid in his memory was to Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir at Pantai Acheh in Balik Pulau, Penang, for the 2004 Geminid meteor shower. 'Within the span of eight hours we saw up to 1,103 showers in one night. 'Every time the lights streaked across the sky, there were shouts of jubilation. Nurul Fatini (holding green laser pointer) suggests that parents and teachers take young ones to observatories and science centres to nurture their curiosity. 'The next morning, when it was time for me to teach a class, I realised I had lost my voice from all that shouting,' he added. On a deeper level, Chong said these trips had helped him rejuvenate and destress. 'When you are under the sky, it is as if the stars are talking to you. 'It is an unexplainable feeling, like an indirect communication with the universe.' Ultimately, these trips will certainly beckon the adventurous, said ASP committee member Kenny Loh, who was also a member of the USM Astronomy Club during his student days. In 2019, the father of two organised a trip for ASP members to watch the annular solar eclipse in Pulau Kukup, Johor. Two years ago, Loh was in Australia to witness the total solar eclipse and this year he will be taking a trip to Iceland with his wife to witness the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Loh, an avid astro photographer, also has a four-wheel drive vehicle to carry all his gear when he goes stargazing. 'The trickiest part about stargazing is patience. You may have just finished setting up your telescope only to spend 10 seconds observing one part of a sky before it is covered in clouds. 'One also has to be hardy and have some knowledge of survival skills as there are locations that have minimal light pollution and are devoid of basic comforts like electricity, water supply or toilets. 'In some locations, safety also needs to be looked into especially when it comes to ensuring that one's vehicle does not obstruct traffic during such trips. 'Drivers should park in parking bays. Ideally, stargazers should go in a group as there is safety in numbers,' he said. To overcome these challenges, Loh planned to set up remote telescopes to view the sky on a tablet from the comfort of his home in Penang. He has established a connection with his friend's observatory in Johor and plans to set up the next one in Perlis. Skywatching tours For Muhammad Mustaqim Rosden, who is marketing and communication director of an adventure travel and tour company, rising interest in astronomical activities and celestial events has led to the inclusion of more dark places in their packages. This has resulted in stargazing being included in the itinerary to tours to Taman Negara and Pulau Tioman, both in Pahang. However, the market has progressed to a point where they are able to organise trips solely dedicated to stargazing to locations like the Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge, Pulau Mawar in Mersing, Johor, and tea plantations in Cameron Highlands, Pahang. 'We have organised over 30 astro tours since 2023 with each trip seeing about 50 participants. 'The average age of participants is between 25 and 70 years. 'Children whose parents are interested in astronomy and nature also tag along.' Muhammad Mustaqim said children made up 40% of total participants while teenagers formed 30% and adults 30%. 'In private tours, children make up between 20% and 30% of the number of participants,' he added. He also touched on challenges in ensuring a successful trip, with weather being the main one as it was beyond the organiser's control. Muhammad Jazlan Rozali, who runs a marketing consultancy business, said even if the weather was rainy or cloudy, the journey would ultimately be worth it. According to the social media ad campaigner, the best spots are the ones with very minimal light pollution, which means that most of these places are usually away from the city. 'People who like stargazing also love nature and activities like hiking and camping. 'During the night what can you do? Look at the sky, of course. 'To me, it is so beautiful; nothing compares to it,' he added. On how stargazing can be best promoted, Nurul Fatini Jaafar, rector of Akademi Falak Malaysia, an institution under Persatuan Falak Syar'i Malaysia, said it all boiled down to hands-on experience. The founder of Sahabat Langit Utara, a community organisation, said the Orang Asli have their own names for constellations and star patterns that are woven into their local folklore and stories. 'During my fieldwork with the Semelai Orang Asli at Tasik Bera, Pahang, I was thrilled to discover they have their own interpretations of Orion, Taurus and the Pleiades. 'Examples are bintang peyh (meaning spring spear trap) which is part of Orion, bintang jekat (wild boar's jaw) which is part of Taurus and bintang kerancong (mousedeer's dung) which refers to the Pleiades cluster.' Nurul Fatini suggested that parents and teachers take young ones to observatories and science centres to nurture their curiosity. She added that it was time for tourism players, such as tour guides and resort staff, to be trained in basic astronomy, so that they can offer enriching nighttime experiences alongside daytime tours. 'I also wish to see more film and animation studios producing impactful content that portrays stargazing and celebrates our local astronomy heritage. 'Just like Moana inspired young viewers to learn about ancient Polynesian way-finding and celestial navigation, we need a culturally rooted film or programme that will boost public interest in science and astronomy, just like how the Angkasawan programme once did. 'Local councils and faith-based centres should include stargazing into weekend or monthly community programmes,' she said.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
See the bright star Spica close to the waxing gibbous moon on July 3
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The moon will ride close to the bright star Spica above the southwestern horizon tonight (July 3) — and some well-placed viewers will see the lunar disk pass directly in front of the bright stellar body, occulting its light. Stargazers in the U.S. will find the waxing gibbous moon above the southwestern horizon as the sun sets on July 3, with Spica — the brightest star in the constellation Virgo — visible less than 2 degrees to the upper right of the lunar disk. Remember, you can estimate distances in the night sky using your outstretched hand. The width of your pinky finger measured at the tip accounts for roughly 1 degree in the night sky. By the time the pair set below the horizon in the early hours of July 4, the moon will have shifted to Spica's left-hand side. At a distance of 250 light-years from Earth, Spica appears to us as a single point of light in the night sky. In reality, it is a binary star system composed of two stellar bodies multiple times the size of the sun, which together shine roughly 12,100 times brighter than our parent star. The moon orbits our Blue Marble at an average distance of just 238,860 miles (382,500 kilometers) — close enough for its apparent position to shift by up to 2 degrees relative to the starfield beyond, depending on where you are viewing from on Earth. TOP TELESCOPE PICK Want to see Spica and the Moon? The Celestron NexStar 8SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of celestial objects. For a more in-depth look at our Celestron NexStar 8SE review. As such, a very small percentage of our planet's population will see the moon slide directly in front of Spica in the coming hours. This event, known as an occultation, will occur in the hours following 3:51 p.m. EDT (19:51 GMT) on July 3 and will be visible to stargazers situated in Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and the southernmost tips of Chile and Argentina. Editor's Note: If you capture a shot of the moon and Spica together and want to share it with readers, then please send your photo, comments, name and location to spacephotos@
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How to see China's Tiangong space station and the ISS in the predawn sky this week
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. During this upcoming week, skywatchers across most of the U.S. and southern Canada will get an opportunity to view the two largest space vehicles now in orbit around the Earth within minutes of each other. They are the International Space Station (ISS) and China's space station, Tiangong. If you are up during the predawn hours, you'll probably be able to make a sighting of both within less than a half hour of each other. And on the morning of July 5, it may be possible to see both in the sky at the same time. If you go out and carefully study the sky near dusk or dawn, the odds are that you should not have to wait more than a few minutes before you see one of the more than 30,700 satellites now in orbit around Earth. Most of these are just "space junk" ranging in size from as large as 30 feet (9 meters) down to about the size of a softball, including defunct satellites, rocket bodies, and fragments from collisions. In addition to the tracked objects, there are an estimated 130 million pieces of debris too small to be tracked. U.S. Space Command, headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, keeps a constant watch on all orbiting space debris. TOP TELESCOPE PICK: Want to see the night sky up close? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners wanting quality, reliable and quick views of celestial objects. For a more in-depth look at our Celestron NexStar 4SE review. Most satellites are too faint to be seen with the unaided eye. But depending on who's counting, about 500 can be seen with the unaided eye. These are the satellites that are large enough (over 20 feet, or 6 m) in length) and low enough (100 to 400 miles, or 160 to 640 kilometers) above Earth to be most readily seen. In his book Observing Earth Satellites, the distinguished British scientist Desmond King-Hele perhaps said it best: "A satellite looks like a star that has taken leave of its senses and decided to move off to another part of the sky." The International Space Station is by far the biggest and brightest of all the man-made objects orbiting Earth. More than four times as large as the defunct Russian Mir space station, the ISS has a total mass of approximately 925,000 pounds (420,000 kilograms), and measures 357 feet (109 m) across and 240 feet (73 m) long. This makes it almost the equivalent to the length of a football field, including the end zones, according to NASA. The ISS draws power from four pairs of solar arrays, which are each 112 feet (34 m) long and 39 feet (12 m wide) — longer than a Boeing 777's wingspan. Additionally, the ISS is being upgraded with six new, smaller Roll-Out Solar Arrays (iROSAs). These are being installed over portions of the existing arrays. Each new iROSA measures 63 feet (19 m) long by 20 feet (6 m) wide. Despite being smaller, they are more efficient due to technological advancements. Presently circling Earth at an average altitude of 259 miles (416 km) and at a speed of 17,900 mph (28,800 kph), the ISS takes 93 minutes to orbit Earth and completes roughly 15.5 orbits per day. It can appear to move as fast as a high-flying jet airliner, sometimes taking about four to five minutes to cross the sky. Because of its size and the configuration of its highly reflective solar panels, the space station is now, by far, the brightest man-made object currently in orbit around Earth. On its most favorable passes, it can appear some 2.5 times brighter than Venus and nearly 40 times brighter than Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. And, as a bonus, sunlight glinting directly off the solar panels can sometimes make the ISS appear to briefly "flare" in brilliance to as bright as magnitude -8, some 19 times brighter than Venus! Besides the ISS, there is another space station orbiting Earth. That's Tiangong (Chinese for "Heavenly Palace"), a permanently crewed space station operated by China's Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The chief purpose of Tiangong, according to the CMSA, is to develop and gain experience in spacecraft rendezvous technology and to serve the platform for the next-generation orbit transportation vehicles and technology for future deep-space missions. Tiangong is smaller than the ISS, in overall dimensions measuring about one-fifth as large. Its total mass is approximately 77 tons (69,900 kg). It measures approximately 180 feet (55 m) in length and contains three modules (the ISS has 16 modules). It orbits Earth at an average altitude of 244 miles (393 km), somewhat similar to the ISS. And, like the ISS, it is a prominent object when moving across the nighttime sky. On its most favorable passes, it can appear as bright as Venus (magnitude -4.1), though usually it tends to appear closer to magnitude -2 (as bright as Jupiter). Currently, taking into account both the ISS and Tiangong, there are 14 humans in space. From now through the final days of July, North Americans and Europeans will have many opportunities to see both the ISS and Tiangong flying over their homes, due chiefly to a seasonal circumstance. Nights are now the shortest, and the time that a satellite in low Earth orbit (like the ISS and Tiangong) can remain illuminated by the sun can extend throughout the night, a situation that can never be attained during other times of the year. Because both space stations circle Earth about every 90 minutes on average, it's possible to see them not just on one singular pass, but for several consecutive passes. And from now through July 8, the ISS and Tiangong will be making morning passes — one to two hours before sunrise — within a half hour or less of each other. And on the morning of July 5, for parts of the northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada, it may be possible to see both in the sky at the same time. This doesn't happen too often, due to the fact that their orbital altitudes differ slightly, along with the fact that both space stations circle the Earth at different orbital inclinations: 51.63 degrees for the ISS, compared to 41.46 degrees for Tiangong. So, what is the viewing schedule for your particular hometown? You can easily find out by visiting one of these two popular web sites: Chris Peat's Heavens Above or NASA's Spot the Station. With Heavens Above, you'll be able to generate accurate sighting data for both the ISS and Tiangong (as well as other bright naked-eye satellites). You'll simply need to input your location based on latitude and longitude. NASA's Spot the Station app is a great tool for quickly finding upcoming ISS viewing opportunities. Simply pop in the location you wish to know for ISS sighting opportunities and let the widget work its magic. It will tell you the time of the ISS flyover along with how long it is visible, the maximum height it will reach in the sky and which direction it will appear and disappear from your field of view. Predictions computed a few days ahead of time are usually accurate within a few minutes. However, they can change due to the slow decay of the space station's orbit and periodic re-boosts to higher altitudes. Check frequently for updates. Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for Natural History magazine, Sky and Telescope and other publications.
