Making The Most Of Your Time

With the cloudy weather we've been having, It got me thinking about how I don't always get as much time to spend under the stars as I'd like. So, when I do get a chance I've learned to be more efficient with my time.  Here's what tips I can offer from experience:

• Set up your equipment at least 30 minutes before you begin your session. Your scope and EPs need to reach thermal equilibrium in order for them to perform optimally. My equipment is now stored in a shed, so I've pretty much managed to remove this step from my night.
  
• Reduce local light glare/trespass as much as possible. Turn off any outdoor lights, and even indoor ones if they are in view from your location - you want your area to be as dark as possible. Your eyes may dilate up to 7 mm in the dark, but it takes around 30 minutes for this to happen. Any stray light reaching your eyes reduces your night-vision.
  
• Use a reference. It helps to know what you're looking for before you go out there. Get yourself an atlas, like Sky & Telescope's Pocket Atlas, look up what objects you can see at Tonight's Sky, or buy a program like Starry Night or Stellarium(free).