When I First Posted “Deep Sky Observing” several months ago, based on the opening chapter of one of the books I’d been meaning to open, I thought I might do a series with subsequent chapters. A few hours after doing this, my daughter noticed the book on my bed and took an interest, so then it was hers.
This morning, none of my usual ways of finding an idea were working, probably because I am exhausted. For these reasons, it seemed like a good time to return to the question of how to observe the deep sky, so I retrieved the book (just for a bit). Today’s post is assembled from phrases found in a chapter entitled, “How Can I Find All These Deep-Sky Goodies When the Sky is So Huge?” which seems to me like an excellent phrasing not just for the issue of the burgeoning stargazer, but for any soul beneath the vast canopy. This morning’s findings offered me some much-needed perspective at a critical time. I share in the spirit of knowing that most of us can use some re-alignment from time to time, when it comes to remembering how to look.
Being confronted with finding your way around can take the fun out of things very quickly.
Fear not! Being able to point accurately will define your joy.
After all, it is written: no find, no fun. Start with your eyes, observing how it moves.
Remember: don’t just glance.
Remember: with a centerfold chart and a red flashlight, much can be observed.
Another thing. Leave the city, watch it dance around.
A finder will really help, but you have to align it during twilight.
You can use a distant object, like a hill.
Calculate the size of the field of view.
You can count the seconds it takes a star to drift through a field.
Then there’s the issue of finding directions––no easy skill.
Patience will help, when it comes to learning where you are, where you are going.
Put a crosshair eyepiece in the scope.
Keep in mind, there are a variety of names for these objects.
Don’t give up. Now find a galaxy. Describe it.
Inspiration (and found words/ phrases) from:
Coe, Steven R. Deep Sky Observing: The Astronomical Tourist. Springer, 2000.