JamieQ

1 hour ago, JeremyS said:

That chair looks amazing, @JamieQ. Crack project: well done! Should be great for using binoculars, too. 

Thank you! Indeed there would be great potential for casual use with binoculars, though I have yet to try it—the next starry night I will for sure.

1 hour ago, JeremyS said:

PS: I can’t see the pdf you mentioned 

Whoops! Fixed, cheers for letting me know.

Hello everyone! 

Earlier in the year I came to this community to perform research concerning stargazing on an emotional level, where I received some incredibly helpful insights on the subject. At the time I was completing my final project studying BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design at Nottingham Trent University, where I was investigating ways the experience of naked-eye stargazing could be enhanced. Now this project is complete, I'd like to share the outcome: A Stargazer*s Chair.

While for many of us the night sky provides an opportunity for observation and understanding though scientific lenses, there persists a deep emotional connection many of us feel while observing a starry night sky. To lay back and take in the sky though the naked eye has for myself and many others provided an opportunity to ponder, reflect, and feel relief and contentment through times of tribulation. Yet to do so in comfort sacrifices the freedom of exploration had with a telescope or binoculars. What does a scientific perspective have to give to the human experience of stargazing? What if you could be the telescope?

A Stargazer*s Chair is an expression of an idea: To bestow the sitter of a chair control of their own night sky. Built from weather resistant western red cedar, aluminium, and stainless steel, the chair defines a persistent space in a garden for spontaneous use without cumbersome nightly setup. When mounted, the sitter gains the ability to orient themselves how they desire, or track objects through their transit across the sky, all while remaining in comfort.

With a design based upon the Dobsonian telescope, the chair can be rotated in two axes by the sitter. Vertical handles are pushed against to recline the seat up to a near-horizontal position, while an adjustable counterweight ensures balance is maintained. A ring set under the seat is grabbed to allow swivel with feet off the ground. With such control, the sitter is free to explore their own night sky much like a telescope.

I am no doubt biased, but using the chair has transformed my naked eye stargazing experience. Its persistent place in the garden, easy control, and comfortable seating position entices me to go outside early evening and watch the stars for a few moments. I've made a habit of tracking planes or satellites across the sky with one hand on an altitude handle and the other hand on the azimuth ring, simply because it is fun! If I wish to view the moon, I orient myself to it, let go, and the chair remains in place as I observe or traverse inner thoughts. 

Exhibiting the chair at New Designers, it became clear there is interest in such a unique object within the premium outdoor furniture market, yet this premium exclusivity does not sit right with me given the humble origins of the Dobsonian telescope and its accessible, affordable design philosophy. An avenue I am considering is publishing plans for a simplified version (or versions) of the chair which anyone with basic DIY skills and tools could construct, adapt, and improve, in a similar vein to the Dobsonian. I wish for others to experience using the chair, evolving the typology further for all who wish to spend the time constructing one. I'm wondering if anyone in this community would find interest in such a DIY project? 

I've attached a PDF overview of the project for those curious, which delves deeper into the process of designing and prototyping the chair. I'd lastly like to thank the Stargazers Lounge community for the conversations had early on, which undeniably acted as the bedrock for the project's narrative. Questions, comments or feedback is welcomed!

Jamie

Stargazers Project Overview.pdf

12 hours ago, johninderby said:

I think the bigger the better more or less but this article gives the calculations to work it out.

http://atm.udjat.nl/articles/Dobson Slide Bearings.pdf

This is exactly what I needed, thank you! 

Hey everyone, 

I'm looking into the design of Dobsonian mounts. A variable I can find little information on is the size of the altitude bearing, and how an appropriate size should be chosen for a given mirror size (or more appropriate for my application, a given weight).

To be clear, by altitude bearing I am referring to the arc shaped component which sits upon the base, as shown in the image below.

If someone has some insight on this I'd be truly grateful!

(Image from here)

On 29/01/2022 at 12:47, SuburbanMak said:

Post-session Euphoria

An interesting aspect I haven't realised up until now. 

On 29/01/2022 at 12:47, SuburbanMak said:

When we look at the 60 million year old fossilised light reaching us from a galaxy that’s not even where we’re looking anymore, the vast majority of the mass, the stuff, that we’re seeing is essentially dead, without consciousness.

Knowing such facts clearly enhances your experience and impresses the mind—perhaps education is a component to enhancing the experience of stargazing for others less versed in the subject.

On 30/01/2022 at 12:18, F15Rules said:

Oh, yes..in no particular order..

Might set up be one? Would the labour of having to bring out equipment be enough to stop you some nights?

On 30/01/2022 at 15:49, PeterW said:

A friend found the following product, not sure how it would help?

https://www.bathandbodyworks.com/p/stargazing-meditation-body-lotion-026129470.html

Very unexpected! But interesting that it is a product. I wonder what stargazing smells like...

Thank you all again for your input! I'm hearing some really great and inspiring stories, and they're already showing influence in my project. I still have a long way to go, but I will be sure to keep this community updated with how it turns out in the coming months.

On 27/01/2022 at 21:11, RobertI said:

Here are some examples of observing chairs: 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-observing-chairs.html

 

I see, yes these were one of the first things I encountered in my research. I'm sure great propped up by a telescope, though maybe less so for a relaxing evening looking up with just your eyes. On the note of these sorts of chair's I've read a truly fascinating book on the history of astronomer's chairs, the sort used in the 18th and 19th century within observatories. Definitely worth a look for those interested in the subject.

https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/astronomers-chair

On 28/01/2022 at 08:36, F15Rules said:

I don't do this often though, as the good skies in the UK are rare enough, that when we have one I want to get my scope or binoculars out!

Are there any other barriers besides the British weather which may prevent you from enjoying a night outside?

2 hours ago, PeterW said:

the ability to rotate it without getting up to observe in a different direction.

 This would be interesting, I've contemplated such a set up while out stargazing myself. I think it's a more stimulating experience to change direction from time to time and spot a new patch of the sky. The zero-gravity chair I have reclines with pushing and pulling of the legs, effectively changing your viewing altitude. Add rotation of azimuth and you become a human telescope on an Alt-az mount. It's also just fun too, last weekend I enjoyed watching planes go over my house on approach to East Midlands Airport by slowly reclining my chair and tracking as they fly above—though of course I can't easily flip my direction when they pass the zenith. 

42 minutes ago, F15Rules said:

I think sitting, or lying down, is the only way to do so comfortably.

I think, if practicable, lying down on a sun lounger or similar, is the best way to take in the scale of the sky above us..not the only way, but the best way. 

Sun loungers probably are good for the job. I have a zero-gravity chair which is very comfortable although does not recline far enough when I wish to look at the zenith, which is most of the time. Have you enjoyed evenings before on a sun lounger? 

52 minutes ago, scarp15 said:

Very much as above by Dave. There is something about being outside at night in a peaceful serene circumstance, fixed on a celestial target whilst comfortably sat down, that becomes almost in an instance, emotionally absorbing and utterly calming. Good posture whilst seated or perched upon an observers chair, bench, recliner or even lying down (never tried that personally), all muscles relaxed and immersed in the cold still night air, gazing upwards into the vastness of it all, maybe catching a meteor, time stands still. 

I'm curious what you mean by "observer's chair"? Are you able to describe this or show an example of one?

2 hours ago, Sunshine said:

In school at my desk I would often wonder about the universe untill the teacher would slap the ruler down and beg my attention.

Very relatable! I was just reminded of a time at school where in my end-of-term report my teacher half-jokingly suggested I was sometimes too busy fantasising about travelling through space than working! 

2 hours ago, RobertI said:

There was a recent discussion that had some good thoughts that you may find useful

Perfect, thank you! I'm sure this will be very valuable.

It's been great to hear theses stories so far. It's incredible to me how the sky is one of very few things which can have such a profound impact of so many people, and has been so for as long as us humans have existed.

Hello everyone!

This is my first post here at Stargazers Lounge. I'm a final year furniture design student in Nottingham, UK, researching how seating may (or may not) aid in naked-eye stargazing. 

The "naked-eye stargazing" I'm referring to is concerned more with experiencing the night sky on an emotional level, rather than purely observational. I myself love to understand what I see, recognise constellations and planets, look out for nebulae with binoculars, etc., but below all that, there is the awe and amazement which I (and I'm sure many of you) feel every time I look up at the night sky—this is what I'm concerned with in this project.

There's been nights where I've laid on top of my garden bench, played some ambient music through my headphones, and stared up for hours watching stars, satellite and meteors while contemplating the universe and finding resolve with personal issues.

I would love to hear a little about how you relate to the night sky on an emotional level. Or perhaps how you go about absorbing the wonders of the night sky?

Please note your replies may be used anonymously in the process or outcome of my project, so please make it clear, or don't reply, if you do not wish for your anonymous quote to be used.

I'm looking forward to discussing this with you!