Argo Navis - directed observing - suggestions?

[erick]

I've had only two nights so far learning how to use my AN.

I have (fingers crossed!) four glorious un-interrupted observing nights coming up soon at starcamp.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to use my AN effectively (on my 12" GSO reflector on dob mount). What do you do to have a great night out?

My current thinking is to use the tour function, staying within a few adjacent constellations by using the "Within" option. What do you find is a reasonable "Within" setting for comfortable touring? 15 deg?

What sort of limiting magnitude should I set? Not being particularly expert with the faintest targets, I was figuring to stay initially at a conservative figure? What do you reckon? +10? +11? (Under Snake Valley skies)

Are there any tours you would recommend? Eg. All globulars within 15 deg of the centre of Sagittarius down to mag +11. Perhaps all Messiers in Orion?

I'd rather start with AN's inbuilt catalogs before I generate or download a user catalog.

Many thanks for your suggestions. :)

[gary]

Hi Eric,

Even if you were to tour all Globulars of 13th mag or brighter in Sagittarius,
you will have a great time. Now, keep in mind that some of the magnitudes
are integrated magnitudes and that some objects will have low surface
brightness, making them challenging, even more so against the backdrop
of the Milky Way in that part of the sky. So, whereas you will readily be
able to see all the Messiers and all the NGC's, ranging from beautiful
and obvious to not quite so obvious, other objects like Terzan 7 can be
challenging but highly rewarding. Argo Navis gives extra descriptions including
the size of an object and often additional notes. For example, of ARP 2,
a very challenging object it says "EXTREMELY LOW SB, VERY SMALL
BRIGHTER 2' CORE. IN RICH STAR FIELD. NEAR 1.5' CLUMP OF 5 FAINT
STARS 5.5' NNE." Descriptions such as this can be very helpful.

Starting with the brightest is certainly the best way to start. However,
we also encourage observers to take the path not quite so well trodden
now and then. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, we are lucky
to have such a wealth of wonderful objects which aren't part of the
Messier or NGC catalogs.

What can be fun is pointing the scope toward the zenith and asking to
tour all POPULAR objects within 180 degrees (basically, all those above
the horizon).

Also what can be fun is asking to tour all non-stellar objects, of say 11th mag
or brighter, in a particular constellation.

The possibilities are endless and can make an observing night deeply satisfying.

Enjoy!

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au