How low do you go?

[koputai (Jason)]

Guys,
I'm trying to sort out where abouts to put my observing location here at home, and am currently measuring how much sky I can see from various spots.
What I'd like to know, is how low to the horizon would you normally observe?
I've heard a few people say it's not worth looking below 30 degrees above the horizon. True?
Also, seeing as at Sydney's latitude we get to see everything to the South at a viewable angle higher than 30 degrees at some time of the year, I'd imagine it would be worth sacrificing a low Southern horizon in favour of a low North horizon?

Thanks,
Jason.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

It's true that for me I don't try for much in the east or west if its below 30 deg, it will either climb higher or I'll catch it next year. Same thing for the south, I don't tend to try for anything unless it's at least level with the SCP (26.6 deg for me). The north though is a different story. M33 and M31 are low but ok for height, but if I want to try and catch a low northern comet or some of the ground hugging Messiers than I'll need that horizon.

So if you want to catch M51, M13, M57, M27...oh and M33 and 31 (14 deg from Sydney) and The Veil, etc etc then you'll need that northern horizon.

[sheeny (Al)]

Sound advice there, Paul (as usual).

The only thing I'd add would be to think about the sorts of observing/imaging you want to do. If you are interested in events like occultations, or comets (just thinking back to McNaught...) then the east and west horizons become the second priority after the north horizon. Of course, you can always go to a remote location to view a special comet...

Al.

[glenc (Glen)]

Go for a low northern horizon first (maybe 5 degrees), then the west (catch things before they set), then east (they will rise soon). The south is the least important normally, provided you can see the SCP.