Planning a Successful Observing Session

Bernie Venasse Hamilton Amateur Astronomers

1 Overview

• A bit about me. • About yourself • What affects your viewing? • Plentiful P’s. • HAA Award programs. • Questions and discussion.

2 About me

• Member: Hamilton Amateur Astronomers • Member: British Astronomical Association • Member: Astronomical League • Member: Astronomers without Borders • Stargazer since 1966 • Amateur astronomer since 1994

333 Messier (Telescope) Program Messier (Binocular) Program Lunar Observing Program Outreach Program Universe Sampler Program Comet Observers Program Solar System Observers Program Double (Telescope) Program Hunter (Northern) Program Observer Award Binocular Double Star Observing Program

4 Current Observing Goals

• Galileo Club • Globular Clusters • Herschel 400 • Ha Solar Observing • Sunspotter Club • Club • Sketching Award • Urban Club

5 Is this you?

6 About yourself …

Sorry, but this is all about making lists

• List your experiences in astronomy. • What have you achieved already? • Assess your equipment

7 To become more successful in your observations you need to evaluate your previous experiences in astronomy.

• How did you become interested in astronomy?

• What appealed to you?

• What were you hoping to see or achieve?

• What gave you the biggest buzz?

• What do you feel seems to cause you the most frustration when you are observing? 8 Listing your experiences in astronomy.

9 List your experiences in astronomy.

• How was your interest in astronomy first stimulated? • What appealed to you at that time? • Why did you buy your first telescope/ binocular? • What were you hoping to see or achieve? • Have you been surprised by what you have seen?

10 What have you achieved already?

11 • How many constellation patterns can you recognize? • How many double or multiple have you resolved? • How many of the Moon’s notable features have you identified? • How many of the major planets have you observed?

• Have you observed any asterisms? • How many planetary satellites have you identified? • Have you observed Venus in the daytime? • Have you observed all Messier objects? • Have you seen the central star in the Ring ?

• Have you estimated and followed the brightness of a variable star? • Have you (safely) observed the ? • Have you observed a comet? Tracked it on a star chart? • Have you observed the observable Caldwell list? • Have you observed Herschel’s 400? How about the 2511? • Does the NGC list of 7480 intimidate you?

12 Assess your equipment…

…from the ground up

13 14 15 16 17 18 Properties of your scope

• Limiting magnitude • Light gathering capability • Resolution • Minimum useful magnification • Maximum useful magnification

19 Average limiting magnitude

Size (in) 4 8 12 14 20 28

Magnitude 12.0 13.0 14.0 14.5 15.3 16.2

with different aperture telescopes

20 D (mm) 60 100 125 150 200 250 330 444 LG 73 200 320 400 820 1300 2200 4000 mag 11.6 12.7 13.2 13.6 14.2 14.7 15.3 15.9 Res. 1.93" 1.16" 0.93" 0.77" 0.58" 0.46" 0.35" 0.26" Min x 12x 20x 25x 30x 40x 50x 66x 89x Max x 120x 200x 250x 300x 400x 500x 660x 890x

21 What affects your viewing?

• Occupation • Health • Family • Viewing site • Weather • Equipment

22 23 Stay warm… Hypothermia kills. Frostbite isn’t much fun, either. Have a nap before driving home.

Well that's typical, the first clear nights for ages and I have a stinking cold!

24 Family

25 Observing site

26 Observing time is a rare commodity. Weather

27 Equipment Limitations?

Targets for modest (4") equipment

985 Open Clusters 660 111 Globular Clusters 4 Quasars 72 Galactic Nebulae 536 Asterisms 101 Dark Nebulae 2950 Double stars 102 Planetary Nebulae Messier and Caldwell

28 All celestial objects look brighter and much clearer the higher they are in the sky.

Celestial objects are at their highest when they transit across the meridian.

Hazy nights sometimes have steadier seeing and are frequently better for lunar and planetary observing.

Clear, dark skies are better for faint deep-sky objects.

Light pollution, haze or moonlight will reduce the number of faint objects you can see.

CLOUDS will (usually) stop you seeing rare events, or appear as soon as you get everything set up. 29 Passion Planning Preparation Programs Patience Preservation Persistence

30 The word ‘amateur’ stems from the French word ‘amour’, meaning ‘love of’.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

31 Passion

Solar System

Double stars

Astrophotography Galaxies

Moon

32 Preparation

• Assess your skills and equipment.

• Understand what you are searching for.

• Know your equipment.

• Acquire the right tools

• Prepare an observing list suited to your equipment.

33 Preparation Understand what it is that you are looking for.

Resources

34 Computer based Resources planning software Internet

35 Atlases

36 Observing lists as resources

37 Or …Find a Purpose

38 Create your own program…

• 1903 open clusters • 181 Globular clusters • 530 Galactic nebula • 88 full of objects • 9599 galaxies • 2950 Multiple star systems • How many planetary satellites can you find? • What about comets, asteroids, meteor showers?

Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas 39 Planning

• Avoid disappointments • Maximize chances for success • Take time to plan your sessions.

Planned observing helps you

• Develop skills and • Creates a sense of accomplishment

40 What to consider…

Moon phase Day of the week Timely events like meteor showers Comets Planetary phenomenon

41 Observing list for Feb 9, 2019 beginning 7:00 PM Moon phase: 1st crescent 4 Days Sets 22:25

42 Observing list for Feb 9, 2019 beginning 7:00 PM Moon phase: 1st crescent 4 Days Sets 22:25 Weather Forecast: None Equipment Req'd

43 Observing list for Feb 9, 2019 beginning 7:00 PM Moon phase: 1st crescent 4 Days Sets 22:25 Weather Forecast: None Equipment Req'd Planets: Uranus/ Mars Conj. Orion 110 , 17mm EP Camera, Computer, Sketching material

44 Observing list for Feb 9, 2019 beginning 7:00 PM Moon phase: 1st crescent 4 Days Sets 22:25 Weather Forecast: None Equipment Req'd Planets: Uranus/ Mars Conj. Orion 110 , 17mm EP Camera, Computer, Sketching material Comets: 46P RA 9h30m48s Dec 52°09.1' Sketch

45 Observing list for Feb 9, 2019 beginning 7:00 PM Moon phase: 1st crescent 4 Days Sets 22:25 Weather Forecast: None Equipment Req'd Planets: Uranus/ Mars Conj. Orion 110 , 17mm EP Camera, Computer, Sketching material Comets: 46P RA 9h30m48s Dec 52°09.1' Sketch H400: NGC 2232 OC, 2215 OC, 2185 RN Notes

46 Observing list for Feb 9, 2019 beginning 7:00 PM Moon phase: 1st crescent 4 Days Sets 22:25 Weather Forecast: None Equipment Req'd Planets: Uranus/ Mars Conj. Orion 110 , 17mm EP Camera, Computer, Sketching material Comets: 46P RA 9h30m48s Dec 52°09.1' Sketch H400: NGC 2232 OC, 2215 OC, 2185 RN Notes Sketching: NGC 1039, 7789, IC 405 (cald) Sketch

47 Observing list for Feb 9, 2019 beginning 7:00 PM Moon phase: 1st crescent 4 Days Sets 22:25 Weather Forecast: None Equipment Req'd Planets: Uranus/ Mars Conj. Orion 110 , 17mm EP Camera, Computer, Sketching material Comets: 46P RA 9h30m48s Dec 52°09.1' Sketch H400: NGC 2232 OC, 2215 OC, 2185 RN Notes Sketching: NGC 1039, 7789, IC 405 (cald) Sketch Messier: 38, 36, 34, 45 Notes

48 Observing list for Feb 9, 2019 beginning 7:00 PM Moon phase: 1st crescent 4 Days Sets 22:25 Weather Forecast: None Equipment Req'd Planets: Uranus/ Mars Conj. Orion 110 , 17mm EP Camera, Computer, Sketching material Comets: 46P RA 9h30m48s Dec 52°09.1' Sketch H400: NGC 2232 OC, 2215 OC, 2185 RN Notes Sketching: NGC 1039, 7789, IC 405 (cald) Sketch Messier: 38, 36, 34, 45 Notes Caldwell: IC 405, NGC 891 Notes

49 Observing list for Feb 9, 2019 beginning 7:00 PM Moon phase: 1st crescent 4 Days Sets 22:25 Weather Forecast: None Equipment Req'd Planets: Uranus/ Mars Conj. Orion 110 , 17mm EP Camera, Computer, Sketching material Comets: 46P RA 9h30m48s Dec 52°09.1' Sketch H400: NGC 2232 OC, 2215 OC, 2185 RN Notes Sketching: NGC 1039, 7789, IC 405 (c) Sketch Messier: 38, 36, 34, 45 Notes Caldwell: IC 405, NGC 891 Notes ISS MOON Crossing? 18:48:18 Camera, Computer,

50 Develop a session equipment checklist

51 Do a trial run… Set up for observing (outside or inside) Make sure it all 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 all in one pile If you think of something- add it to the pile AND your list. 52 OBSERVE !!

53 The HAA offers a certificate for completing the Messier list and we are rejuvenating the Rising Star award.

54 HAA offers an award for observing the entire Messier list. We are working on more.

The RASC offers its members seven observing programs to enhance their enjoyment of amateur astronomy. One of them, the Explore the Universe observing program for beginners, is open to anyone.

The Astronomical League provides many different Observing Programs. These Observing Programs are designed to provide a direction for your observations and to provide a goal. The Observing Programs have certificates and pins to recognize the observers’ accomplishments and for demonstrating their observing skills with a variety of instruments and objects. Some Observing Programs have multiple levels of accomplishment within (1) (7) (65)

55 Why do planned observing programs exist?

• Provide direction • Develop skills • Provide a sense of accomplishment • Educate • Develop habits • Yes, bragging rights too.

56 Can`t see it? Patience • Use a bigger scope • Use an OP scope • Try again another night • Use a darker site

Never give up

Develop a stick-to-it attitude regarding your observing ambitions 57 Take time to make notes that you can expand upon in your logbook.

Quick-notes: Time; eyepiece(s); filters, etc.

Learn to use a few terms like Seeing and Transparency

Sketches can help you remember what you observed.

58 Jupiter and moons

M51 NGC 5195

59 • Is the object round, oval, or • Does the open cluster stand out irregular shaped? well against the starry background, or • If the object is oval shaped, does it blend in making it difficult to how stretched out, or oval, is it; ie. 2 determine the edges? times longer than wide, 4 times longer • For nebulae, are there any than wide, even more? Is it basically just denser or lighter areas? are there any a little streak? stars involved in the nebula? • Does the or nebula have • What else is in the field of view sharp edges or does it fade gradually that is interesting? other deep sky away to nothing? If it fades away to objects? a nice double star? any colorful nothing, does averted vision seem to stars? is the field of view densely packed increase its size? with stars?, did a satellite just pass • Does the galaxy have a brighter through?, etc. core area, or is it an even brightness • And of course, any other across the entire surface? Is the brighter thoughts you have while viewing the core a large area, or does it come to a object that might make it personal to this stellar point? observation. After all, this is YOUR • For globular clusters, is the observing log. central area large and full, or very pointed and stellar-like? • For open clusters, are all the stars the same magnitude? Can you guess at the number of stars visible? 60 Yes, it may at times seem like a lot of work, but after a dozen or so observations, it will become second nature to ask yourself these things. The result is that you end up training your eyes to see detail in the objects you observe. And after doing this, each object does indeed become unique in its own way.

61 Passion Planning Preparation Programs Patience Preservation Persistence

Taking Pride in your achievements

62 … from stargazer to amateur astronomer…

Thank you…

63 Suggested resources:

Magazines: Astronomy; Sky and Telescope; Popular Astronomy; SkyNews Atlases : Cambridge; Interstellarum; Norton’s; Pocket Sky Atlas Organizations: HAA; RASC; Astronomical League; AAVSO; Webb Society; ALPO; NGC/IC Project; IOTA Books: Double Stars for Small Telescopes The Messier Objects, O`Meara The Caldwell Catalogue, O`Meara Guide to Variable Stars, Levy, AAVSO Atlas of the Lunar Terminator, Westfall The Night Sky Observer`s Guide, Kepple, Sanner Award Pgms: RASC rasc.ca/observing AL astroleague.org/observing.html Websites: cleardarksky.com/csk/ dso-browser.com calsky.com whatsup.rickastro.com Cartes du Ciel.com Stellarium.com Heavens-above.com 64