While relaxing, hydrotherapy, and recreation are the main activities we associate with our hot tubs, that isn’t all they are good for. We all know how beneficial and bonding sharing hot tub time with our partners and our kids can be. Imagine adding an educational aspect to that family time.
Did you know that stargazing from the comfort of your hot tub is one of life’s great pleasures? Some of our Hot Spring® customers are such fans they have placed a telescope out by their hot tub! What to look for in the night sky? Texas Hot Tub Company would like to share with you nine summer celestial events to watch from your hot tub.
What Can You Typically See in the Night Sky?
Don’t be intimidated by the idea of stargazing. You don’t need special equipment, but many people like to use binoculars or a telescope to get a better view of things in the night sky. That being said, the naked eye can detect differences in brightness and even register the colors of different stars and planets. Without special equipment, you can see:
- The Moon
- Thousands of stars, star clusters, constellations
- A spiral galaxy
- Five of our eight planets
- An occasional comet
- Satellites
Stargazing Apps to Enhance the Experience
Did you know that there are numerous apps you can use to enhance your summer celestial events viewing? These are fantastic tools to aid your experience of stargazing. You will feel as if you are in a planetarium while you soak in your hot tub! Once you download an app or two, all you have to do is point it up at the sky and wait for it to give you a virtual tour of the night sky.
- Solar Walk: This is an incredible app that provides a 3D map of our solar system right in the palm of your hand. It will identify all kinds of solar objects, such as planets, satellites, constellations, the moon, and more.
- Star Walk 2: All you have to do is aim your phone at the night sky, and it will calibrate your location and all the celestial sights available to you to view, now and in the future. There is even a kid’s version.
- Star Tracker: Explore the universe in real time with this app. You will see all the stars, constellations, and objects in the night sky in real time.
Special Summer Celestial Events 2023
There are some spectacular celestial events coming up this summer that you can view from the comfort of your hot tub. Earth Sky is a great online resource to give you a heads-up on all the upcoming stargazing events you don’t want to miss. The best viewing will take place on a dark night when the moon is not super bright. Allow your eyes to adjust to the night’s darkness for a while for a better experience. Mark your calendar for these celestial events to watch from your hot tub:
- Planetary lineup: On July 19, 20, and 21 you will be able to see a lineup of planets when you look into the western sky. Venus, Mars, and Mercury will all be visible.
- Perseid Meteor Shower: From July 14 through September 1, the Perseid Meteor Shower will take place. 50-100 meteors per hour will streak through the sky, making this a great show. August 11 and 12 are supposed to be the prime viewing nights, as it will be very dark out two days before the new moon.
- A Super Blue Moon: Don’t miss this rare occurrence on August 31. When two full moons fall in one month, the second one is called a “blue moon”. This August, the blue moon occurs when the moon is closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear exceptionally large and bright – a “super moon”.
At Texas Hot Tub Company, we think hot tubs are perfect for stargazing. A Hot Spring hot tub can take your celestial explorations to a new level with its unique features. From the comfortable seating to the multiple ways you can control the lighting, you will create a wonderful ambiance for these nine summer celestial events to watch from your hot tub. Contact the professionals at Texas Hot Tub Company for more information on the right spa for your family.