Jamie Dillon wrote:
And Wagner, see I had it right. Kingsley is close to finishing his Herschels. After spending a night at Coe two weeks ago fretting about David's not breathing, here he was at LSA, and did enyone see him at night? This is a man with a purpose.
OK, OK. LSA was a great night in my quiet little corner of the field. I logged 51 new and 97 total objects, more than I ever have seen in a single night of observing. I was surprised the total was so high since I am sketching many objects and field stars, and making fairly detailed notes and observations. On the other hand, the density of objects in the spring galaxy fields greatly shortens starhopping time, and a set of well marked charts, with objects chosen ahead of time, makes a huge difference to how much you can see during an observing session (Matt made a related point in his post from the gold country). Finally, the horizons and skies at LSA were excellent, and it was easy to stay up late when you didn't have to worry about driving home the same night.
Another reason I have been so focused is because the spring section of the H400 list is intimidating by sheer numbers alone. Take a look at the H400 observing lists on the TAC web page, and you will find most months cruise along with about 20 objects or so, and then the spring is absolutely jam packed (over 120 objects listed for May alone). I punted almost the entire list of spring objects last year because of poor observing conditions on most new moon weekends in April and May. This year, I have been planning ahead during bright moons and rainy days, and then really enjoying the spring galaxy season when clear nights come around.
I should also say that I find something uniquely satisfying about quietly exploring the sky with a telescope during an observing session. I can't really describe it, some funny combination of activity, contemplation, and letting a world of distractions fall away to consider the universe.
Not long ago, my six year old son asked me "Dad, why do you like things that take such a long time, like fishing and looking at stars." I wasn't sure how to answer him. But even as a kid I could sit for hours with a fishing pole, completely lost in the mild activity of fishing, and the sensations of lakes and woods: the lap of water against a boat, the warmth of the sun on the wood of an old dock, the bright colors of a dragonfly, the low, haunting call of a loon.
I still find fishing deeply satisfying,(and went fishing Saturday evening around sunset at LSA). However, as an adult, I have belatedly discovered that a telescope can also serve as a fishing pole for the rest of the universe. The finder scopes, eyepieces, filters, and charts provide just enough mild activity to make me forget whatever else I have been worrying about during the day. By fiddling with the tackle, I can now reel in the surface and moons of another planet, the beautiful symmetry a double star, or the soft glow of an island universe. And when I observe, I'm still just a kid sitting quietly on a dock, completely lost in the moment, and barely breathing in the wonder and immensity of it all.
Did I mention that I really like astronomy?