Archive for the ‘Observing Gear’ Category

Orion Magnitude Mat Review

A review of Orion Magnitude Mat.

Price: 39.95 USD
Manufacturer: Orion
Orion Magnitude Mat – Product Warranty: One year
Type of Product: Telescope Accessories > Observing Gear

Kneeling at the telescope can be a pain in the . . . knees. But most amateur astronomers have to do it, for instance when viewing through a refractor pointed high in the sky or when using a mount’s polar-alignment scope. Now you can kneel in cushy comfort, with the Orion Magnitude Mat. Made of durable closed-cell foam rubber with a cut-out handle, it protects your knees and keeps dirt and moisture off of your pants. But this generously sized mat also sports a stellar twist – a screen printed map of the Little Dipper, complete with star magnitudes. Observers have long used the magnitudes of stars in the Little Dipper to gauge the sky’s transparency, or clarity, on a given night. The magnitude of the faintest star visible with the unaided eye is the “limiting visual magnitude.” The fainter the limiting magnitude, the better the transparency and the more stars will be visible in the sky. And with the Little Dipper graphic, you can determine the limiting magnitude in a snap! So get the Magnitude Mat and cushion your knees while getting a read on the night’s observing conditions. It’s also great for gardening, changing a car tire, padding those bleacher seats at a ballgame, and many other uses! Makes a unique and practical gift for any astronomer. Resists moisture and compression; lasts for years. Size: 14″ x 21″ x 1″. One-year limited warranty.