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Subject: [M]: [OT]: Observation planning tips?
From: Mike Schriber - Corporate Computer Centers, Inc.
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Mon Dec 29 01:05:31 1997

Greetings (again). After a fairly dismal observing session (for me) I'm
looking for advice on how to be more productive when I'm out with the
telescope. I've identified several problem areas (the cold toes and lack
of observing partner I can work out on my own) that need work. The biggest
is planning what I'm going to look at or image. Many people I meet at star
parties have detailed information on targets (usually printouts) that they
refer to. Since I neglected to ask at the time I'm asking now. What's
good software for researching and preparing for an observing session? What
other preparatory steps are recommended before a whole night observing?

In case anyone is wondering, the equipment is a 10" LX-200 with guidescope,
a 35mm camera and a Pictor 216XT CCD for imaging and autoguiding so
actually finding the targets isn't the problem.

Thanks for any and all advice!

Mike