How do you plan your observing sessions?

[barees63]

I thought I'd try a poll, I'm interested to know how - or if- you typically plan your observing sessions..

[Rodstar (Rod)]

I voted, "Other". I assemble my lists to observe, bearing in mind the following:

1. Consideration of when particular constellations will be at culmination, month by month, and focusing on those constellations in selecting objects to observe

2. Studying lists of objects, whether they be Messier, Caldwell, Herschell, NGC, IC, Washington Double Star Catalogue etc, to identify objects which will be of interest, for the constellations at culmination at that time of year.

3. Identifying objects in Sky Atlas 2000 that capture my interest.

4. Revisiting objects which I have enjoyed observing in the past.

I keep a journal of my observing sessions. I use a chunky 1 page to a day Collins diary. That way, from year to year, I can look back at objects the previous year(s) at that time that I liked, and revisit them. It also means that I am constantly searching for new objects, rather than boring myself to sobs just looking at the same things all of the time.

In a typical observing session, I also try to spend some time naked eye observing. This has the benefit of improving my visual knowledge of the night sky, as well as enjoying seeing larger scale objects than I see through the narrow window of my telescope, esp the Milky Way itself, which never ceases to blow me away! It also allows my observing eye a chance to relax!

Happy observing

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

I voted for the objects from recent articles, as this for me would include IIS, Universe today, the Mags etc.
I dont like reinventing the wheel so i like to go for objects that others have done the research to decide that they are favourably placed for viewing at that time.
Usually I will follow this up with a printed chart from Cartes Du Ceil, to help find these objects & perhaps identify a few bright others in the same region.

[barees63]

I haven't been at this long enough to fall into a particular habit, I started off pretty much random, the only DSO I knew was M42 I found other objects by chance but never really knew what they were..

Once I got the Argo Navis it all changed, using Tour and Identify modes I was able to find specific objects with ease but it was still pretty random and they were still just "numbers" in a catalog.

I then purchased AstroPlanner and made some user catalogs (eg. I made a "globby" catalog and downloaded it to AN and was able to view many globular clusters of various magnitudes), this gave my observing a little more purpose.

Now, having subscribed to AS&T, listening regularly to Slacker Astronomy and Universe Today and reading various other articles (including CosMos excellent contributions here) I am more interested in creating user catalogs (still via AstroPlanner) featuring objects about which I now have some background knowledge, I find a little knowledge adds greatly to the "Awe" factor..

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I used to use RTGUI freeware to generate lists of objects of interest visible for that time. IMO its the handiest astronomy freeware program available for the visual observer

Now that I have my argonavis I have become lazy and I let it find objects for me.

[asimov (John)]

I voted for the random approach. Quite often I'd just pick an area of sky & do the slow hand nudge back & forth until something interesting popped into view. Then I'd try to identify the object on a star atlas/map.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

When I first got a telescope the Southern Skies Binocular list and the Messier list were what I started with. If there is an interesting article in the mags or in IIS, I'll try to chase it down.
I need to make use of my star atlas more though. Studying what is in or near each constellation would help me truely learn the night sky. There is more to it than just the bright DSO's.

[stinky]

Other - for me. I look out the window and depending on the weather conditions decide what area I want to look in. But if planets are in the "right" spot I'm liable to step out and amuse myself whilst waiting for a break in cloud.

[lost_in_space]

Up until recently my observing sessions where haphazard. Thanks to this forum I "discovered" the RTGUI and Skychart combination and I now plan my sessions using these tools.
I was able to assemble a serviceable P133 notebook out of 3 salvaged duds, loaded Win 95, RTGUI and Skychart and I take it with me on my observing sessions. Using RTGUI to ID the best of the night, Skychart to produce a chart of the area of interest, a compass and an angle finder on my dob get me in the general direction. It is nudge from there until I find the object of my desires.

[ving (David)]

you know, i havent had a proper observing session for months.
bout time i got stuck into it again

generally i mix it up, hunt down objects on my atlas or palm planetarium, attack a doubles list, if someone sugests an interesting or hard to find target....
some times i'll have a goal for the night and visit faves after my goal is finished, other times i'll just star hop around...

[matt]

I'm pretty much the same as Ving. Bit of planning, bit random chaos.

It's all good

By the way, what's RTGUI, and where do I get it?

[mickoking]

G,day Cobbers,

I voted other, and this is my ritual. During the day I normally make a small list of new objects, or objects I had previously observed with another 'scope. When It is dark and my equipment is set up the first part of my sesh I re observe objects who's locations I can remember with out an atlas. I do this for many reasons but it really increases your familiarity of the sky and it is good starting a nite out viewing speccy objects and old friends. The second part of my sesh is working off my small list and recording my observations.

[edosaurus_rex]

I have a home made list of DSO's and Double/Multiple stars, about 800 total. I've started using a tape recorder to log my observations then write them in a book when I'm more awake the next day or so. The obs list is getting bigger because I'm adding subjects in the -35 to -45 deg dec range (not covered by the Messier or Herschel I lists). I had to add the Helix Nebula and Collinder 399(Coathanger).

[sheeny (Al)]

I voted other... although random may be close.

I really don't do too much planning ahead of time - I don't plan to view the moon next Tuesday night for example - but if something really unique is happening (say an eclipse, etc) I would.

I generally work to the weather. If it is clear - I go observing. Then what's visible and the conditions dictate whether I just observe or try imaging. I have a combined list of Messier, Caldwell, Bennett and Levy Catalogues that I work with. If I'm doing a show and tell for friends, I often resort to the Guided sky tour on the scope.

Al.

[GrampianStars (Rob)]

Plan mostly from the zenith Nth, Nth Est, Est, Sth East, Sth
Use a Sky chart then either "Argo Navis"(8"cat) or "SS2K Goto"(1xED80, 1xZS80)
I dont like going back and forth across the sky

[cjmarsh81]

I just stick my head outside and see if I can see any stars. If I can then I set up the scope and start looking. I am 100% random at the moment.

[acropolite (Phil)]

I voted Random cos that's mostly what I have done, however I'm starting more and more to use monthly magazine lists. I have, on a few occasions, specifically targetted objects mention in this forum, e.g. C20006/A1
Apart from the planets, I have a set of favourites that I always visit, SMC LMC, Orion, 47Tuc, Pleades, Jewelbox, Omega Cent (summer) and for my final alignment star, I usually select Rigel Kent as it's a very nice double to start with. Then I usually select objects from the autostar database and let the LX do the work.

[iceman (Mike)]

Great thread..

I'm slack at the moment.. I spend most of my scope time at home doing imaging, and do purely visual stuff when I go to our dark sky site at least once a month. But even then, I'm usually socialising and looking at the favourites..
I keep telling myself "I must make a list of thigns to observe", but I keep forgetting or couldn't be bothered.

I'll definitely be having a plan for SPSP this year.

[fringe_dweller]

I'm a cherry picker, and mostly only do 'events' these days - i do follow 'brighter than normal' comets more than anything - which isnt that often.
When i first started nearly 12 years ago - the first two years I was flushed with enthuisiasm and was underemployed/unemployed at the time and i did a massive amount of observing, it wasnt unusual for me to do as many as 5 nights (some allnighters) a week when conditions were good, while I learning the night sky and starhopping with dobs.
Then as I went to dark sky sites more and more I came to dislike and be dissappointed with deepsky observing from the city and virtually gave it up.
Its like those guys who say they will never go back to visual astronomy once they have a webcam, I feel the same about city vs darksky astronomy (except for planets of course)
now i am a pacer, and I like it that way - its easy for me to burn out if I do to much, and that would be a shame.

[ving (David)]

aaah kearn me matey... from a light polluted back yard it become all about the challenge. tonight i will do galaxies....