Pls hlp make my night more efficient/viewing more then planisphere viewing :(

[mbaddah (Mo)]

Just wondering how observers efficiently use there time at night viewing more than hunting? I seem to walking back and forth alot from my scope to my planispheres/books etc...

What's the average number of objects you guys observe per hour say? Are there methods/technologies etc.. that you can share? I know obviously you can use a GOTO mount but that would spoil some of the fun (though would eliminate quite a bit of frustration!).

[tnbk00 (Daniel)]

This could be helpful

http://www.ilangainc.com/astroplanner/

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Good question...

I cheat and use my Argo Navis...once aligned I can "rip" through a large number of objects quickly...

Having said that, I usually plan ahead and identify a number of objects I want to see...I use a number of sources to compile my list...depending on if I want to concetrate on a particular portion of the sky and/or objects I prepare accordingly.

I have a number of laminated "Telrad" cheats all ready to go...that is, I print a chart (or portion of chart) with the Telrad circles already on it...this helps me quickly "hop" to where/what I want to see...

I've found that if I don't plan my night in advance that I get lost pretty quickly and end up looking at the same few items that I can easily find myself.

I've found a little pre-planning makes me a much more efficient viewer and since it is difficult for me to spend a whole night under the stars...between being too tired from work and family commitments...being prepared makes the night more enjoyable for me.

Good Luck!

[WadeH (Wade)]

I find that the hunt is part of the enjoyment. There is nothing like a succesful star hop to some very hard to find object to give satisfaction.

You should see me, back and forth from scope to table with the computor running Starry Night, magazine article with finder chart and all sorts of other mad stuff! Like a mouse scamporing around. Seems to work though. I have found some amazing stuff.

Sure helps to learn the night sky.

The one thing I try to adhere to is to plan maybe 4-5 new objects in one part of the sky and then just ramble across the computer for fun.

In an hour? Maybe 3-4 new objects if lucky, depending on how hard. Half a dozen if familar.

[MrB (Simon)]

Ditto, I enjoy the star hop, it's a rewarding feeling when you find the object.
I might look kinda wierd out there though with CDC on the laptop in red-light mode and turning it through different angles, even upside down to get the right view, lol.

[skwinty (Steve)]

I started with a dob and now have go-to.
When using a dob it took a while to find the target and then I like to spend a fair bit of time looking at the target.
So at the end of the night I hadnt seen too many targets. Now, with goto, I can spend much more time eyeballing the target and end up seeing more targets in an observing session.

[mbaddah (Mo)]

Thanks guys for all the tips greatly appreciate it

I'm sure my next nights of observing will be far more beneficial