How do you decide on your targets for the evening?

[AEAJR]

It is a big sky out there and when it is clear many of us run for the scope and try to spend some time with the stars. But how do you decide what you want to see, or what you want to hunt for or what you want to revisit?

I tend to get on a track. Most of my sessions are about an hour at the eyepiece. On rare occasions I have gone as long as 3 hours.

I have been on Messier list binges, usually using my computer assist to help me.

I have gone galaxy hunting.

This past month or so Jupiter has been my obsession. I think I have about 10 hours on it at this point of this cycle. And I expect that obsession to continue for the next few weeks as we pass through opposition. But eventually Jupiter will move West and my view to the West is not good. I have not decided on my next obsession yet.

How about you?


Do you prepare a target list each session?
Do you like to wander around to see what there is to see?
Working the Messier or Caldwell or some other list?
Anything that involves Double Stars?
Are you a Galaxy hunter?

As you pull out the scope, how do you decide what to target?

[AG Hybrid]

My planning is like this at a dark site.
As objects drift across the crosshairs on my mobilephone screen, which is connected to the ecoders on my scope.

Whats that?
A constellation.
Which constellation?
Who cares?
Whats there to look at?
This is what you can look at.
Thats very interesting.
What was that?
Who knows?
Next!

[Bombardon]

Hi Ed,
Good to hear from someone viewing from New York. (BTW I once read of someone with a small telescope spotting a considerable list of minor planets from the roof of a building there, and having spent a few months at the YMCA on - was it 39th street? - many years ago, I can fully appreciate the challenge. I have done viewing Adrian's way many times( he could be joking, you know!) and ended up bored after a bit. What I do now - and we are all different - is focus on a constellation rising that I haven't seen for a while, look at my notes( you should eventually keep these, whatever else you don't do:)) and make a list of perhaps ten or so objects that will be my targets. I use my favorite books and maps in compiling this list. I often spot some targets I haven't seen before or double stars I haven't tried. I am also conscious of my limited time outdoors( age gets wearisome:sadeyes:). A small light and notes on my back lawn ironing board(;)) and probably two eyepieces. {Did I mention mosquito spray!} If I can nail and make notes of some good catches I am well satisfied and I often end up with the big and obvious candidates as a rich trifle and coffee for the night.....:jump:Of course Jupiter or comet chasing can change all this or a mate that rings up with a challenge for me - the 'Have you seen this?" category. Just now a few keen star splitters are sending me on an infernal quest to split Sirius (you know who you are ;-)) Anyway,Ed, all viewing is worthwhile and we won't even mention the weird weather and ambiance in the great nocturnal outdoors.
Cheers, Eugene

[AEAJR]

Mosquito spray could be the most important tool at some times of the year. That is for sure. Right now it is cold in NY so no bugs.

[Allan_L]

Hi Ed,
If I am planning a long night, or a couple of days on an Astro-camp, I often use a web site called tonights sky. http://www.tonightssky.com/MainPage.php

Once you enter your viewing location, local horizon, viewing date , commencement time and duration, you can specify what limiting magnitude, and what type of objects, it will give you a pick list of what is in your sky for that period and those specifications.

It provides locating info (RC/Dec or Alt/Az) etc. and some basic information.
You can then print out an observing list, sorted by constellation, or RA.

I have used it many times and find it quite helpful.

I am sure there are similar other methods (sites/programs/apps) and would be happy to hear about them.

[AEAJR]

I love Tonight's Sky and have used it often. I sort by constellation when I print the report. Glad to know it works well in the Southern hemisphere too.

[grimsay]

As a newbie I've found my most successful nights have come from making a brief list of 5-8 targets from threads here on IIS. For example from the comments in Vijays recent 'Requesting help in finding galaxies and planeteries advice' thread I found the Blue planetary and Centaurus A. The same night I sought out some easier doubles mentioned in Bigjoes thread 'A Sirius Matter -Plus-DOUBLE STAR TIPS' (I tried and failed with Sirius).

I downloaded multiple lists such as the Bam600 and Rob Horvarts excellent guides. But they can be a little overwhelming, it's hard to know where to start and I've found that when I make a list from these I'm less successful. Although I expect they will be more useful as my experience grows.

The threads in the Beginner and Observing sections are great resources for making target lists because the obvious objects are mentioned and discussed frequently alongside comments on how to find them and what kind of conditions are required to see them. There are also less to choose from at a time which helps focus research.

[CAAD9]

Hi Iain, welcome to observing.

I think you are doing the right thing with planning your viewing. I find that if I just pick up a scope and go out into the backyard, I look at the same things over and over.

When I first got my 10" pusher dob, I set off on a Messier hunt. Awesome way to get started. There are only 110 objects, albeit spread out a little unevenly and only about 90% are visible from Australia. However the list is well supported in literature including Wikipedia (free) so researching where to find objects and when is easy. Also the variety of objects is a great way to get a feel for what deep space objects all appear like. You will quickly get used to distinguishing between open clusters, globulars, galaxies etc. plus you get the thrill of the chase. I'm up to 95/110 with just the low horizon northern objects to go.

My other source of targets is good old Australian Sky and Telescope. Columns like "Going Deep", anything by Sue French stuff like that great source of ideas. In fact it's the only reason I buy the magazine.

Good luck. Make sure you post about how you go on IIS.:)

Adam

[AEAJR]

Since Adam mentioned the Messier list I thought I would share these resources. I started on the Messier list but then turned my attention to planets. But I will get back to it soon.


Messier Object by M number
http://tcaa.us/astronomy/MessierObjects.aspx

Messier Objects by constellation - I especially like this one.
http://messier.seds.org/CONindex2.html

Messier Star Hopping Guide
http://www.robhawley.net/mm/SHG-MM-text-v6.pdf

Messier Objects – Star hopping charts
http://www.robhawley.net/mm/SHG-MM-charts-v6.pdf

Messier – Telrad Charts
http://www.atmob.org/library/member/skymaps_jsmall.html


Messier with Binoculars
https://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/binomess/binomesa.html

What kind of telescopes did Messier use?
This is interesting. The scopes we use are so advanced compared to what he was using, but his skies were certainly darker than mine. and they were huge with FL measured in feet, not mm. ;)
http://messier.seds.org/xtra/history/m-scopes.html

At the end of the article the author says, "It remains to state that all of Messier's instruments could probably not compete with a modern 4-inch refractor (or unobstructed reflector, e.g., a Schiefspiegler) or 6-inch Newton reflector. Therefore, even moderately equipped amateurs of current days can easily hunt down all the objects he observed and cataloged."

[John W]

Hi All, It is often best to start out with some plan for an evenings viewing. I usually have a set of targets - or if imaging I pick out 3-4 objects from a star map and concentrate only on them. At present I have been imaging different types of star clusters thru my scope a 10" SCT - all at the same settings in order to compare them. It depends what objects are best placed for imaging. Before imaging I spend a night running thru a range of targets to check the scope can track them Ok. I also go back every now and then and reimage a target - you often get a better pic when a object is in a different parts of the sky. Imaging involves trying to better your previous results. I also do solar imaging during the day. Cheers, John W.

[CAAD9]

Hey Ed, that's awesome thanks for those links.

I'm up to 85/110. Of the remaining 15, 4 never rise above 20 degrees, 11 never above 10 and M81/82 never above the horizon. So I'll need all the help I can get to make it past 100.

What you say about our telescopes is spot on. Just the other night I was in the backyard with the smaller of my dobs, a 10" pusher, and it crossed my mind what Messieurs Messier & Mechain wouldn't do for just a few hours with it.

As for the light pollution, that may not be the case actually. According to a book by Ronald Stoyan (atlas of the messier catalogue) apparently where Messier observed from(navy observatory in the middle of Paris) there was less than ideal for light pollution, even by modern standards. Stoyan mentions there would have been a lot of soot from domestic stoves etc and light and smoke from burning of lights in public squares not far from Messier's perch.

Anyway, thanks again for the links.

Cheers

[madwayne]

Hi Ed

I need to plan my nights otherwise I just end up wandering around aimlessly. My weapon of choice is the NGC/IC project website, www.ngcicproject.org (http://www.ngcicproject.org). Being a spread sheet junky I've built some macros that then assemble and print an observing list direct from the site. It has enough room on it for observations and comments.

I also use the Astronomy League's website for Carbon Star observing, got hooked on these little gems after observing DY Crucis near Mimosa, as well as PN and OC. Also very handy as it caters for both hemispheres.

Clear skies

Wayne