Star Struck
Thanks to the International Astronomical Union, there’s been a lot more interest in stargazing lately. Meade’s new, extremely amateur-friendly ETX-90AT telescope has 30,000 stars, planets, and constellations programmed into its database, so you can set it to focus on a certain recently demoted dwarf planet, or the jewel-tinted Orion nebula, or the golden streaks of the Leonid meteor shower in November. An LCD screen displays details about what you’re viewing—its distance from Earth, temperature, and so on. For the ever-curious New Yorker, though, the biggest appeal is perhaps its ability to zoom in on more-local occurrences—skyscraper details, a river yacht, or your neighbors’ dinner ($649.95 at B&H Photo Video, 420 Ninth Ave., at 33rd St.; 212-444-6708).
What to Wear While Reading Hegel
The next trend in men’s fashion is the Eccentric Professor (kin to the current Bohemian Artist). This corduroy vest mixes well with closet perennials like denim and tweed jackets ($78 at J.Crew, 91 Fifth Ave., nr. 16th St.; 212-255-4848).
Keep Mirrors Fog- and Streak-Free
Divers use this spray to keep their goggles clear, but it’s ideal for de-fogging the bathroom mirror. One spray will work for about a week ($4.99 at Scuba Network, 655 Sixth Ave., nr. 21st St.; 212-243-2988).
Wean Your Feet Off Sandals
Tashkent’s skin-baring suede boots are lined with lamb fur, so you can wear them barefoot even in colder weather ($432 at Otte, 121 Greenwich Ave., nr. 13th St.; 212-229-9424).
The Radio Star’s Comeback
With Samsung’s Helix, you can listen to Sirius radio anywhere, and record it, too, so you can listen to that British football match or Oprah’s new show at your leisure ($399.99 at Circuit City, 52 E. 14th St., nr. Fourth Ave.; 212-387-0730).
For Treks of All Kinds
Arc’teryx’s new Naos pack is sturdy, waterproof, and large enough to hold an expedition’s worth of gear ($428.95 at Paragon Sports, 867 Broadway, at 18th St.; 212-255-8036).