[big_dav_2001 (Davin)]

Thanks for the quick replies

I suspect everyone has their own unique way of noting "this funny flat trIangle leads to an L shape etc"

Ive been using Stellaruim pretty regularly, and working out my own ways from that, but ive often wondered if the way ive found objects is the way they're 'supposed to' be found... Although i guess any method which results in a successful observation is a win

However, if you want some detailed star hopping instructions, it would be a bit hard to go past Malcolm's own observation reports on this site - he always includes very detailed descriptions of how he's hopped to each object.

Excellent, ill take a look at a few of those, perhaps even add a few of my own obs reports once i figure out my own methods and can be sure that the faint fuzzy im looking at is the one i WANTED to be looking at...

Hi Dave
I rarely use starhopping from books etc. Just get a good atlas (Uranometria 2000 is my pick) and once you have an object you want to find, locate a nearby bright naked eye star then use the charts to plot your own way there. Much easier than trying to read detailed instructions in the dark.
Once you have done it a couple of times it gets much easier.

Malcolm

I think its time i invest in some paper star-atlases, as i said, i usually use Stellarium, but it does indeed have an effect on my night-sight looking at the screen, even dimmed as ive got it. Ive tried to use paper maps a while ago but found them pretty difficult and confusing, but ive gained a fair bit of know-how and experience since then (thanks in a large part to the members on this forum) so maybe i'll be able to decipher them a little better this time.

Apologies if I hijack here Dave, but this has puzzled me for ages...

Anytime Suzy, its a good question, ive often wondered myself..

Thanks again for you help guys (and gals)

Davin