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?