Find a Passion for the Stars with Astronomical Telescopes

Mankind has always had a fascination with the heavens. Gazing up at the night sky reveals a multitude of celestial bodies appearing as tiny pin pricks of light. To try to get a better understanding of such objects, people began to create instruments to help them see more clearly.

Over the centuries, these items have become increasingly sophisticated and it is now possible to buy hi-tech astronomical telescopes in high street shops and over the web. For example, here at Sherwoods, we stock a whole range of the offerings, as well as many binoculars and other things.

By investing in such devices, you might awaken a passion for the stars within yourself. The great thing is, as well benefiting from easy access to such equipment, you can also find plenty of information on the subject in books, over the web and on television.

Indeed, there have been many great TV shows on over recent years that have focussed on the topic of space and what exists beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.

By setting up astronomical telescopes in your home, you can feel part of this movement to gain a greater understanding of the skies. There has never been a better time to explore an interest in such issues, with technology improving all the time and new theories and explanations constantly being mooted by the scientific community.

To find out more about the range of viewing instruments we sell, including our binoculars, simply have a look around our website. You might be starting a life-long hobby.

How to Watch Deer at Night

If you love wild animals, you are probably thrilled every time you spot some. They tend to be hard to spot in the city and highly populated areas, but even rural areas sometimes rarely see them during daylight. Night time is the best time to spot certain types of wildlife, particularly deer. Here are some tips for how to watch deer at night.

First find a spot that is known for deer to gather. This might be an apple orchard, a field of clover, or anywhere where deer might find food or go to drink water. You can find signs of deer by looking for tracks, droppings, and trails through the woods—look for places in the trees and bushes where leaves and have been pushed aside as a deer walked through.

You may want to carry a pair of binoculars. Binoculars will allow you to see deer closer than you would otherwise. Deer are extremely difficult to get close to as they can hear very well, and they have sharp vision. They also spook very easily.

Night vision binoculars or night vision goggles are also great for observing wildlife such as deer at night time. While pointing a flashlight or the headlights of your car at a deer might frighten it away before you can even really watch it, night vision equipment is designed to allow you to see at night without disturbing what you are watching.

Always be careful not to disturb animals or people when watching wildlife at night. Stay safe, and always obtain permission to be in a certain place at night.

How to Buy a Pair of Binoculars

When buying a pair of binoculars, there are few considerations to think through, such as what the intended use of the binoculars is. Are they to be bird watching binoculars? Will you use them to look at the stars or watch wildlife?

Another thing to think about is the magnification. What is recommended for your particular hobby? Sherwoods Photographic recommends an 8x or 10x magnification binoculars for general usage.

You should also test out a pair before buying it where possible. You can adjust the focus by turning the focussing wheel. Most binoculars should work for most people even if you have eyesight problems.

It’s also best to purchase a small lightweight pair as these are much easier to carry around on long hikes or expeditions, and you are much more likely to bring them if they don’t weigh a lot.

Always purchase from a company that is professional and knows what its doing. If you are at all unsure about the company’s legitimacy or safety, especially when purchasing online, you should find a site that is secure. Look for the padlock symbol in the URL bar to ensure that your card details are safe while you are paying for your items.

If you aren’t sure which bird watching binoculars, or other ones, to buy, you can always contact Sherwoods Photographic to find out which ones they would recommend for the particular hobby you are pursuing. They are sure to have something for everyone.

Watching Wildlife

Watching wildlife is a fun hobby for people of all ages. You can do it in your back garden, in national parks, in the mountains, fields, and even in the city if you know where to look. If you love animals, watching wildlife is definitely something you’ll want to try.

Here are some things you will need: binoculars (night vision ones are great if you plan on watching some night-time wild life such as deer), a camera, a journal or notebook to record your sightings, and if you plan to be out for hours—a pack lunch and some water. Of course you can also take things like bird seed if you want to feed some birds while you are watching them.

When watching wildlife, you should always take great care not to disturb the animals. Try to keep at a distance so that they either don’t know you’re there, or they are not scared of you. That’s why using binoculars is such a good idea. The animals that come out at night feel safer under cover of darkness, so using night vision equipment is especially useful in this case.

If you ever spy a wounded animal, try to report it to some wildlife authorities or the RSPCA so that someone can help it.

Take some photos of your sightings and make a scrap book or journal of your wildlife adventures. This way you can show all your friends and family the animals you’ve sighted, and maybe someday you’ll inspire some of your children or grandchildren to start their own hobby of watching wildlife.

Binocular and Telescope Care

Investing in telescopes or a pair of binoculars isn’t just a matter of one-time consideration. Such optical devices are built to last, and are commonly passed down as family heirlooms or bestowals.

Storage
All of our telescopes and binoculars come in their own properly fitting padded case. Some folks prefer to buy universal cases or perhaps adjust a trusted old favourite, but we find that generally the best option is to use the case provided.

Accessories
The right accessories can make all the difference. For example, your telescope tripod should be sturdy and regularly checked over for damage. Binocular straps should be comfortable (otherwise you’ll just end up taking them off in frustration, risking the safety of your binoculars), securely fastened and of an appropriate length. Lens caps are perhaps the most easily lost facet of lens protection; however cold you fingers or short the drive to the nest bird hide, taking the time to replace lens caps is one of the most important safety measures you can take (we know from experience most damage occurs from unfortunate bumps and bangs during transport!)

Cleaning
Remove oily residue by giving lenses and device bodies a gentle dust with a soft cloth after every use. Arguably the most damaging cleaning action is accidentally rubbing grit or dirt onto the lenses, which can leave nasty scratches and marks. A cursory tender dust with a soft cloth is the perfect precursor to using manufacturer-recommended cleaning solution. Always follow manufacturer instructions when carrying out cleaning or maintenance.

Safe Star Gazing Tips

Star gazing can be a wonderfully rewarding hobby. For the avid gazer, perhaps unable to indulge their hobby through brass telescopes elegantly positioned in high-up cubby holes, there’s only one option left – time to go outside!

Stargazing is basically free (aside from investment in decent astronomical telescopes) and can be a great activity for all ages throughout the year. In the northern sky, about 3,000 stars are visible, including Ursa Major (the Big Dipper) Constellations drift across the sky throughout the night in correlation with the turning of the earth and its orbit around the sun.

The Best Spot
Choosing the perfect spot is fairly easy for those who live out in the country or have access to a car. Look for somewhere away from traffic, trees and artificial lighting like streetlights or heavily populated areas. You’ll usually need about five clear miles in each direction to be free of light pollution (depending on the landscape)

Equipment
Binoculars are fine for spotting areas of interest, but the steadiness and precision of telescopes is the best way to see stars clearly. Remember to keep astronomical telescopes and binoculars in their protective cases to travel.

Provisions and Clothing
Even the British summer can be bracing at night! Never underestimate how cold you can become when stationary. Depending on the proposed length of your session, a couple of flasks of tea or hot chocolate, some tasty treats and sandwiches could be a godsend!

It’s vital to dress in warm layers with a thick coat on top, thick socks, gloves and a hat. Pack a few blankets in the car for companions who could feel the cold a little more.

Nurturing Your Kid’s Interest in Astronomy

So nature has given your child a natural interest in astronomy, now it’s time for you to cultivate their curiosity. Aside from investing in one of our astronomical telescopes, here are a few ideas we think your little star gazer might enjoy!

The Right Equipment
Have you ever tried to seriously partake in a little astronomy with ineffective equipment? Without an efficient astronomical telescope, it’s easy to become frustrated. Binoculars are great for spotting areas of interest; however, it’s the telescope’s steadiness that’s crucial to a successful night of star spotting.

Relevant Literature
The night sky changes throughout the year. Good quality, informative astronomy books don’t cost the earth and make all the difference. Although a large reference book is great when using telescopes at home, be sure to invest in a companion travel-size version for star gazing walks or trips.

The Magic of DVD
Maybe you can’t get out into an area free from light pollution, or perhaps your little one has a cold, or maybe it’s too cloudy? Having some great astronomy DVD’s on hand is a fantastic way to really show what’s possible in the fascinating fields of space exploration.

Get Creative!
Thrifty bedroom decoration tips can be a godsend for the parent of a child with niche interests such as nature spotting or star gazing. We absolutely love the idea of arranging glow-in-the-dark stars on your kid’s bedroom ceiling and walls. Perhaps choose a different ceiling/wall segment for each season, and do your best to depict some of the most noticeable constellations from each.