Steps to a Successful Observing Session

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Steps to a Successful Observing Session

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

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The 6 Ps --

• Passion
• Preparation
• Programs
• Planning
• Perseverance
• Patience

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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

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Preparation

• Understand what youre looking for
• Does this castle look interesting to you?

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Does this star look interesting to you?
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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

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Resources

• Messier List
• The Messier Objects Stephen OMeara
• Caldwell Catalog
• The Caldwell Objects Stephen OMeara
• Variable Stars
• Guide to Variable Stars David Levy (new ver.)
• www.aavso.org
• Moon
• Atlas of the Lunar Terminator John Westfall

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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

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Other Resources

• Sky Telescope, Astronomy magazines
• ST 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.

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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

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Build an Equipment List

• Include everything
• Eyepieces
• Bug Spray
• Hair Dryer dew remover
• Jacket
• Furniture
• Incidentals
• Food snacks, drinks
• Spare batteries

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My List
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Gathering Stuff for TSP
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Pack the Car
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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.

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Messiers Tonight, 11/3 730-1030, gt Mag 7
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New Moon ?

• Check moon phase, rise / set times
• Newspaper
• SkyTonight.com gt Observing gt Interactive
  Observing Tools
• LunarPhase software http//lunarphasepro.nightsk
  yobserver.com

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Clear ?

• Check Clear Sky Clock
• From HAS Web page
• www.astronomyhouston.org
• Direct
• www.cleardarksky.com

• www.intellicast.com

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Observed (?)

• Texas Star Party 5 yrs ago, or so no images
  taken
• Texas Star Party Dobsonian with no shroud

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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

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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

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Observe!!
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Have a Plan B

• Another telescope
• Binoculars
• Naked-eye
• OPT Other Persons Telescopes

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Be Safe!

• Take a nap before you drive home
• Take a break
• Be good to yourself its not a job, its a
  hobby!

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Perseverance

• Never give up
• Use someone elses bigger telescope
• Wait for a perfect night
• Travel

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Patience

• This work takes time
• Dont rush through a program enjoy it
• Dont wear yourself out
• Come back on another night

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On the HAS Web Site

• www.astronomyhouston.org
• Observing trip checklist
• PowerPoint Presentation (viewer free from
  www.microsoft.com)

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Questions?