The Sky View XL Stargazing Tent options an ultra-fine mesh roof.
Eric_Weiland/Sky View (used with permission)
Summer time is without doubt one of the greatest instances of 12 months to spend an evening beneath the celebs. Heat evenings and late sunsets make it the ideal time for astrotourism for each newcomers and skilled skywatchers — and in 2026 the calendar is full of celestial highlights. There’s a returning comet, Venus dazzling within the west after sundown, a solar eclipse including an unforgettable daytime spectacle on Aug. 12 and, simply hours later, the annual Perseid meteor bathe peaking below darkish on Aug. 12-13, producing dozens of shooting stars per hour.
Whether or not you are heading to a dark-sky park for the Perseids, touring to the trail of totality in Europe or just planning to spend extra evenings exploring the evening sky, having the fitting tools could make a distinction. An important possession is at all times endurance, however there are some objects that may allow you to see extra, resembling binoculars and telescopes, some all-new stargazing-centric tenting gear makes issues extra comfy. Listed below are seven equipment that may allow you to get extra from this summer time’s largest astronomical occasions.
1. Sky View XL Stargazing Tent
When to make use of: Perseid meteor bathe
In the event you’re planning to remain out lengthy after the photo voltaic eclipse on Aug. 12 for the Perseid meteor bathe in a single day, a stargazing tent can fully remodel the expertise. The Sky View XL Stargazing Tent options an ultra-fine mesh roof that genuinely appears to vanish as soon as darkness falls, creating an uninterrupted, panoramic view of the evening sky that’s extremely immersive. It’s supreme for watching meteors, tracing the Milky Means overhead and even having fun with lengthy astrophotography periods with out being bothered by bugs. One in all its cleverest options is the quick-access inside rainfly, which might be deployed from contained in the tent if the climate modifications, permitting you to sleep below the celebs with out worrying a couple of late-night bathe. The Buena Vista, Colorado-based firm has not too long ago improved weatherproofing by reinforcing and sealing the ground seams, making the most recent fashions extra proof against heavy rain. Spacious, rugged and virtually indestructible, it’s greatest suited to automotive tenting, yard observing and introducing households to astronomy quite than light-weight backpacking.
The Sky View XL Stargazing Tent is greatest suited to automotive tenting and yard observing.
Ross_Hardage/Sky View (used with permission)
2. American Paper Optics Eclipser HD Photo voltaic Glasses
When to make use of: Aug. 12 photo voltaic eclipse
In the event you’re anyplace within the northeast U.S., Canada or Europe on Aug. 12, licensed photo voltaic eclipse glasses are important — by no means use extraordinary sun shades, that are harmful for viewing the solar. The American Paper Optics Eclipser HD Solar Glasses are among the many greatest out there, changing disposable cardboard frames with sturdy plastic frames that may be worn like common sun shades. Their scratch-resistant black polymer lenses block 100% of dangerous ultraviolet and infrared radiation and 99.999% of seen daylight whereas producing a pointy, orange-tinted view of the solar. Hailing from Bartlett, Tennessee, all American Paper Optics eclipse glasses are licensed to the ISO 12312-2 worldwide security normal and carry CE certification. These are designed to resist repeated use and, as such, they arrive with a protecting sleeve to assist stop scratches between eclipses.
3. Celestron EclipSmart 10×42 Photo voltaic Binoculars
When to make use of: Aug. 12 photo voltaic eclipse
Eclipse glasses present a secure overview of the eclipse, however photo voltaic binoculars reveal a wealth of element that’s in any other case invisible. The Celestron EclipSmart 10×42 Solar Binoculars function completely hooked up, ISO-certified photo voltaic filters, permitting you to securely watch the moon’s silhouette creep throughout the solar whereas revealing sunspots, energetic areas and the intricate form of the partial phases. Their fastened filters eradicate the chance of unintentionally viewing the solar unfiltered, making them a superb selection for first-time eclipse observers. Get them nicely earlier than eclipse day and apply discovering and specializing in the solar, since aiming photo voltaic binoculars is more durable than it appears to be like.
4. ZWO Seestar S30 Professional Eclipse Version
When to make use of: Aug. 12 photo voltaic eclipse, Comet 10P/Tempel 2, the Perseid meteor bathe and the Milky Means
If you’d like greater than smartphone snapshots, a sensible telescope is without doubt one of the greatest astronomy investments you can also make this summer time. The ZWO Seestar S30 Pro Eclipse Edition features a photo voltaic filter for safely imaging the partial phases of a photo voltaic eclipse, and it robotically locates and tracks the solar (and should you’re within the path of totality in Greenland, Iceland or Spain, you’ll be able to take away the filter to {photograph} the corona throughout totality). After darkish, its wide-field digicam is good for capturing the Milky Means, star trails and large nightscapes, whereas its essential lens can picture deep-sky objects, together with Comet 10P/Tempel 2. Weighing simply 1.65kg (3.6lb) and managed solely from a smartphone, it’s compact sufficient to journey anyplace. The limited-edition black end, gold detailing and eclipse branding gained’t enhance its optics, however they do make it a becoming companion for a once-in-a-lifetime eclipse expedition.
The ZWO Seestar S30 Professional Eclipse Version features a photo voltaic filter for safely imaging the partial phases of a photo voltaic eclipse.
Jamie Carter
5. Nemo Stargaze EVO-X reclining camp chair
When to make use of: Perseid meteor bathe
On Aug. 12-13, many eclipse chasers will spend 12 hours or extra outside, arriving earlier than first contact and staying till after the Perseids peak after midnight. With that form of schedule, a reclining chair rapidly turns into indispensable. The Nemo Stargaze EVO-X includes a suspended seat that lightly reclines and rocks, with a padded headrest that makes hours of wanting overhead way more comfy. Dover, New Hampshire-based Nemo additionally consists of sensible storage pockets and a sturdy metal body. Though its consolation relies upon considerably in your top and physique form, it’s the most effective chairs out there for meteor watching, relaxed binocular observing and lengthy nights beneath the summer time sky.
6. Sky-Watcher Evostar 100ED
When to make use of: Venus at dichotomy, Saturn’s rings and Comet 10P/Tempel 2
Venus reaches its putting half-lit section, referred to as dichotomy, on Aug. 12, making it one of many season’s most rewarding telescopic targets because it reduces to a crescent and will get brighter because it strikes nearer to Earth. A high-quality 100mm refractor, such because the Sky-Watcher Evostar 100ED, reveals the planet’s crisp, half-illuminated disk with glorious distinction and minimal false shade. It additionally excels on the moon, bringing craters and mountain ranges into sharp aid, whereas offering spectacular views of Saturn’s rings, which are actually in full view after sundown. Beneath darkish skies, the telescope is equally able to displaying each brighter deep-sky objects and Comet 10P/Tempel 2, which seems as a small, diffuse glow with hints of a tail. In contrast to reflector telescopes, an ED refractor requires just about no upkeep, cools rapidly and is able to ship sharp, high-contrast views inside minutes.
7. Unistellar Envision Good Binoculars
When to make use of: Comet 10P/Tempel 2, the Milky Means and studying the evening sky
Binoculars stay the very best first step into astronomy, and the Unistellar Envision takes the basic 10×50 design in a wholly new route. Combining Nikon-designed optics with augmented actuality, they establish stars, constellations, planets and deep-sky objects as you observe, serving to you study the evening sky in actual time. They’re supreme for locating Comet 10P/Tempel 2, exploring the Milky Means and figuring out constellations with out continually referring to an app or star chart. A intelligent Goal Lock Sharing function lets one observer middle an object after which information another person to precisely the identical view, making it good for sharing the sky with household and pals. Marseille, France-based Unistellar hopes to place them on normal sale in 2027, however you’ll be able to join now to order a spot within the queue and be notified when the subsequent manufacturing batch turns into out there.
Wishing you clear skies and large eyes.
