One of the most magical parts of our multi-day tours is the chance to see the Milky Way under pristine, dark skies. On our 2-night, 3-day Grand Canyon tour, we list 'Milky Way viewing and photo shooting' as a highlight. We also offer it on our Grand Canyon day tour from Las Vegas.

A question we get often from guests is about eyewear. "Should I wear my glasses or contacts when looking through the telescope?" As your guide, I want you to have the best possible experience. The right choice can make a huge difference in how clearly you see Jupiter's moons or the swirls of a distant nebula.

1. The Short Answer: It Depends on Your Eyes

There's no single best answer for everyone. The right choice depends on your prescription, the type of astigmatism you have, and your personal comfort. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide.

For most people with mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia), contact lenses are often the most convenient option. They allow you to put your eye right up to the telescope's eyepiece without any extra glass in the way. This gives you the widest possible field of view.

If you have a strong prescription or significant astigmatism, glasses might be necessary to achieve the sharpest corrected vision. Some telescope eyepieces are designed to be used with glasses, featuring longer 'eye relief'.

2. Pros and Cons: Glasses vs. Contacts for Stargazing

Let's break down the advantages and challenges of each option.

Wearing Glasses

Pros:

• Full Correction: Glasses correct for all vision issues, including high astigmatism, in one go.
• No Dryness: You avoid the dry, desert air irritating contact lenses during long viewing sessions.
• Convenience: No need to handle lenses with possibly less-than-clean hands in the field.

Cons:

• Reduced Field of View: The extra layer of glass can keep your eye farther from the eyepiece, creating a smaller 'keyhole' view of the sky.
• Reflections and Glare: Glass lenses can catch stray light from nearby sources, creating distracting reflections.
• Fogging: Moving from a warm vehicle to the cool night air can cause lenses to fog up temporarily.

Wearing Contact Lenses

Pros:

• Unobstructed View: Your eye gets closest to the optics, maximizing the field of view and immersion.
• No Frame Interference: You won't have to awkwardly tilt your head to see through the eyepiece around your frames.
• Works with Any Eyepiece: You don't need to worry about finding eyepieces with long eye relief.

Cons:

• Dryness: The arid climate around the Grand Canyon and Page can dry out contacts quickly. Bring rewetting drops.
• Dust: Wind can blow fine dust, which can be uncomfortable under a lens.
• Partial Correction: Standard soft contacts may not fully correct high levels of astigmatism.

3. Tips for Glasses-Wearers at the Telescope

If you decide to wear your glasses, these tips will help.

First, let your guide know. I can help adjust the telescope's focus to compensate for your glasses and show you the best angle to approach the eyepiece. Many of our scopes have eyepieces with rubber eyecups that can be rolled down. This creates a seal that blocks stray light and allows you to get closer even with glasses on.

Clean your glasses thoroughly before the session. Smudges are much more noticeable when magnified against the dark sky. Consider wearing a beanie or hat with a brim to help shield your glasses from light coming from behind you, like from a parked car.

4. Tips for Contact Lens Wearers at the Telescope

For those in contacts, preparation is key.

Hydration is your number one priority. The desert air is extremely dry. Use preservative-free lubricating eye drops throughout the evening, especially before and after looking through the telescope. Bring a small bottle with you.

Consider bringing a backup pair of glasses. If your eyes become too irritated, you can switch to glasses. Just let me know, and we can refocus the telescope for you. It's also a good idea to avoid wearing your contacts for an excessively long day before the stargazing session to give your eyes a rest.

FROM THE GUIDE: I always carry a red-light headlamp. White light ruins night vision for everyone. If you need to adjust your glasses or put in eye drops, just ask, and I'll shine the red light for you. It's all part of the service.

5. What About Prescription Eyepieces or Adapters?

We do not provide prescription eyepieces or adapters. Our telescopes are set up for general public use with standard, high-quality eyepieces. The cost and complexity of managing custom prescriptions for a rotating group of guests is prohibitive. The good news is that for the vast majority of people, using their standard glasses or contacts works perfectly well for enjoying the stunning views we provide.

6. The Most Important Thing: Your Comfort

At Parang Tour, our goal is for you to have a relaxed and awe-inspiring experience. The stargazing session is a time to unwind after a day of exploring spots like Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Don't stress too much about the optics. Whether you choose glasses or contacts, I will work with you at the telescope to ensure you see the wonders of the night sky as clearly as possible.

If you have specific concerns about your vision, the best thing to do is ask. You can reach out to us for a chat on KakaoTalk before your tour. We're happy to discuss your situation and offer personalized advice.

Planning your stargazing adventure is part of the fun. If you're looking for a tour that includes this incredible experience, check out our most popular option, the 2-night, 3-day Grand Canyon tour from LA. For those based in Las Vegas, our Grand Canyon day tour also offers a chance to see the stars. You can see all our West Coast adventures on our tours page.