Planning Your Observing

The sun has set and you decide to venture outdoors to do some stargazing. What are you going to observe? What instrument and charts do you need? Is it too cloudy to bother with observing?

A good observing session requires just a little planning before dark. Here are some tips to help your planning.

First, use a phone weather app to see if the weather and sky will cooperate. Most TV station apps all agree on what is happening. Use the hourly forecasts to see what is happening in the evening. Don’t automatically cancel observing because of clouds in the morning.

Next select your location, whether your backyard or a drive to a dark site. Know your horizons and watch for trees blocking overhead views. Try to avoid places with artificial light.

Next, decide what items you want to observe. A star chart on either paper or your phone or tablet is essential. Stick with bright objects if you are a beginner. Objects with M designations are Messier objects and most are bright. Galaxies with few exceptions are very tough to observe with binoculars or small telescopes.

Know what kind of object you are observing. Single stars never appear more than a point of light. Wide double stars like Mizar and Alcor and Alberio are interesting. Most observers go for nebulae like the Orion Nebula (M42) or big clusters like the Pleiades (M44). Objects listed as planetary nebulae and objects with NGC designations are tough.

Set up your observing session before dark if possible. You will need a red flashlight or red night mode on your phone. Align your telescope with Polaris as soon as it is dark enough. Don’t forget your eyepieces.

Observe objects from west to east. Objects in the west set first. Most objects below 10 degrees on any horizon will be harder to see. Make sure the object you wish to observe is above the horizon.

Finally, observe as long as possible. Repeat these steps often. Observe new objects rising in the east as the year advances.

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