Tips and Tricks

  • Get some good water proof star charts.  I like the Star Atlas and the Pocket Sky Atlas.  You may want to draw in the constellation lines in the Sky Atlas (it’s a good rainy day activity!)
  • Use a dim red flashlight to preserve your night vision
  • Learn 3 or 4 Bright stars in different area of the sky for each season
  • Get familiar with how your scope flips images, useful when comparing to star charts
  • Get a good planetarium program for your PC.  Stellarium, Cartes du Ciel are good free ones
  • Check out Clear Sky Clocks before preparing for you session
  • Check out Heavens-Above.com or Calsky.com to see if there are any cool ISS, Iridium Flares, or Sat passes happening
  • Get a Binocular that matches or is close to the specs of your finder scope.  This will help as you will know that they have the same views and magnification so you will know what to expect
  • Get a comfy stool or observing chair!
  • A back brace may help too
  • Use an eye patch, you will look ridiculous but it will be dark so who cares, and you will save yourself from the strain from squinting all night.
  • Dress in layers!  Start warm stay warm!