Steps to a Successful Observing Session

Bill Pellerin, PMP Houston Astronomical Society Novice Meeting November 3, 2006

The 6 P’s --

  Passion   Preparation   Programs   Planning   Perseverance   Patience

Passion

  Have a passion for what your doing.   Examples:

– Don Pearce – Comets and thin moons – Larry Mitchell – Deep sky observing at the

limit – Amelia Goldberg – Limitless observing

Preparation

  Understand what you’re looking for – Does this castle look

interesting to you?

Does this star look interesting to you?

Program (Goals)

  Have an observing program – Astronomical League programs

 Messier and Binocular Messier, Lunar, Double Star, Urban Observer, Herschel 400, Universe Sampler

 www.astroleague.org

– Special interest  Variable stars AAVSO.org; double stars;

planets; comets; lunar

Resources

  Messier List –  The Messier Objects – Stephen O’Meara

  Caldwell Catalog –  The Caldwell Objects – Stephen O’Meara

  Variable Stars –  Guide to Variable Stars – David Levy (new ver.) –  www.aavso.org

  Moon –  Atlas of the Lunar Terminator – John Westfall

More Resources

  Celestial Sampler – Sue French – Sky Publishing

  Double Stars for Small Telescopes – Sissy Haas – Sky Publishing

  Planispheres – various available   Pocket Sky Atlas – Sky Publishing

Other Resources

  Sky & Telescope, Astronomy magazines –  S&T – Sue French Monthly –  Astronomy mag – Phil Harrington binocular –  Both – Special events (meteors, occultations,

Jupiter shadow transits, etc.)

  Software – –  MegaStar - comprehensive –  The_Sky – 3 vers. –  Starry Night – 3 vers.

Planning (the details)

  Observing time is rare – use it effectively – Few observing days per year – clear

skies, off work, new moon, no other obligation

  Risk of a failed trip   Avoid disappointment   2 hours planning / 1 hour observing

Build an Equipment List

  Include everything – Eyepieces – Bug Spray – Hair Dryer – dew remover – Jacket –  ‘Furniture’

  Incidentals – Food – snacks, drinks – Spare batteries

My List

Gathering Stuff for TSP

Pack the Car

Build Your Session List

  Which objects on your program are up during your session?

  Use SkyTools (www.skyhound.com) or similar to select objects from your list.

Messiers Tonight, 11/3 – 7:30-10:30, > Mag 7

New Moon ?

  Check moon phase, rise / set times – Newspaper – SkyTonight.com > Observing >

Interactive Observing Tools – LunarPhase software – http://

lunarphasepro.nightskyobserver.com

Clear ?

  Check Clear Sky Clock – From HAS Web page

 www.astronomyhouston.org

– Direct  www.cleardarksky.com

•  www.intellicast.com

Observed (?)

  Texas Star Party – 5 yrs ago, or so – no images taken

  Texas Star Party – Dobsonian with no shroud

Do a Trial Run

  Set up for observing (outside or inside)

  Make sure it works   Learn how to use it!   Revise your equipment list as needed

Gather Your Equipment

  Based on your list and your trial run   Put it in one pile   Stare at it to see if it looks right   If you think of something – add it to

the list and to the pile

Observe!!

Have a Plan ‘B’

  Another telescope   Binoculars   Naked-eye   OPT – Other Person’s Telescopes

Be Safe!

  Take a nap before you drive home   Take a break   Be good to yourself; it’s not a job, it’s

a hobby!

Perseverance

  Never give up   Use someone else’s bigger telescope   Wait for a perfect night   Travel

Patience

  This work takes time   Don’t rush through a program – enjoy

it   Don’t wear yourself out   Come back on another night

On the HAS Web Site

www.astronomyhouston.org   Observing trip checklist   PowerPoint Presentation (viewer free

from www.microsoft.com)

Questions?