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3. Planning Your Observing Session
SEARCHING FOR
deep-sky objects is a great way to hone your observational skills. It is a good
idea to do some homework before you go out to observe.
Find out when the moon rises and sets, and work out how much
time you will have to observe without the moon interfering. Draw up a list of
objects to view. When selecting an object, make sure it will be high enough
above the horizon so that the murky atmosphere doesn't interfere.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO
draw up your own lists, begin by looking for some of the brighter "showpiece"
objects, and then slowly graduate to more difficult targets as your
observational skills develop. Apart from choosing your own objects, you can work
according to an established observing project.
The Deep-sky Observing Section currently offers three observing
projects. The first project is for the beginner, and calls for the observation
of 31 bright objects. These objects originally appeared in an 18th century
catalogue drawn up by Lacaille. The second project concentrates on the objects
in the catalogue drawn up by the late Jack Bennett, comet hunter and dedicated
amateur astronomer. Bennett's catalogue contains 152 objects which appear
comet-like in smaller telescopes. Some of these objects can be quite challenging
in small telescopes and binoculars.
The third project is dedicated to the
work of Sir John Herschel, who was the first person to systematically survey the
whole night sky with the aim of drawing up a comprehensive catalogue of deep-sky
objects. Between 1834 and 1838 he stayed at the Cape of Good Hope to work on the
southern portion of his catalogue, which formed the basis of the NGC (New
General Catalogue) which is still in use today. The Herschel project involves
the study of 400 of these objects. | 
