SkyScout offers celestial pointers
- Share via
It used to be that only book-consuming astronomy nerds could point out the spiral galaxy M61 or the Crab Nebula in the night sky. Now anyone can sound like an astro pro without having to crack a book.
Celestron, the makers of telescopes, binoculars and microscopes, offers the SkyScout, a hand-held device about the size of a camcorder. Point the lens at any bright light in the sky, push a button and a screen tells you what you are seeing.
The SkyScout uses GPS technology and Earth’s magnetic and gravitational pull to identify what you are seeing. You also can hear a description of the celestial object using earphones that plug into the device.
The SkyScout sells for $399 and is available at Brookstone, Sharper Image, REI and astronomy equipment stores.
Sign up for The Wild
We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
