Nebulae and How to Observe Them

A Fun Night
Under the Stars
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After loading up the car and checking the list to make certain that I have everything,
I am ready to go. It really does pass the time faster to be going out to the
site with a friend. If it is both of you in one vehicle or forming a caravan of vehicles,
there is safety in numbers. We often chat on CB radios on the way out and
back. It makes the time go fast and does provide a margin of safety as we can alert
other people to road hazards. In the US the truckers are usually on Channel 19,
and Channel 9 is for real emergencies, so choose a channel far from those.
We generally get on the road early enough in the afternoon so that we are at the
site before sunset. This allows for an hour of setup time during twilight.
At the Site
We generally park the vehicles in a side-by-side configuration; this seems to give
the most room for everyone to work from the end of their vehicle. I have a folding
table that has proven very handy for setting out all the accessories one needs to
use a telescope. If there is the possibility of dew getting everything wet, I will bring
some towels to cover it all. There are coverings made specifically for many different
types of telescopes, but I have not purchased one yet.
This setup allows me to spend the least amount of effort moving from the scope
to the notes and star charts in the back of the car. Usually, the thing that wears out
first is your feet. So, again, a little rest is a great observing technique. One of the
folks in the group will call out “Break in 10 minutes” and we will get out the folding
chairs and gather round the table to eat, rest, chat about what we are observing,
and generally get off our collective feet.
Get into your cool-weather gear early. I have found that if I allow myself to get
cold, it is difficult to warm back up and get comfortable. I put on a layer at the
earliest sign that it is getting chilly: that is, usually in twilight.
A snack and some water is also a good observing technique. If you are going to
be moving about for hours you can get cold and tired just because you don’t have
enough fuel on board. So, during one of those breaks, eat a little something and
drink some water also.
If you are driving back into town that evening, it is imperative that you leave
early enough to make the journey home a safe one. Falling asleep at the wheel is a
The Saguaro Astronomy
Club, ready to observe. We
line up the cars so that the
most people and telescopes
can get set up. Also, you
can use the tailgate of a
truck as a work space.