Since buying a decent scope, I have become more organised.The new scope hoodoo continues to follow me longer than usual, probably BECAUSE of the non random method
. For the given month that I can create the opportunity to head for dark skies, I consult the trusty old planesphere for which constellations will be nicely placed at various times of the evening.For those constellations, I will make a list of objects that books , star atlas or magazines suggest might be interesting to observe. I will then have in ruled columns the NGC or Messier number(for the goto), the type of object(oc, gc, neb,gal etc),magnitude and occasionally a brief description. Eventually, I should be able to obtain info on suggested eyepiece. If I ever get my act fully together
, I intend keeping objects of the same angle of view together in their constellation groupings. Obviously, planets and other noteworthy items are on the list. The great thing is that the list can be used from one year to the next- strange how the ancients stuck those celestial objects on fixed spheres!
I also find the need for my observing eye to have time out and gawk up at the milky way and look out for meteors.